A Checklist for Moving into Assisted Living

If you or your aging loved one has decided to move to an assisted living facility, a new journey lies ahead.

Not only do aging adults get to enjoy additional pleasures in their golden years, but they get to do so knowing that they are safe and cared for.

Having help and care nearby means your aging family members will have peace of mind to live their later years to the fullest. Additionally, being part of a new community gives aging adults the opportunity to form friendships and explore the world from a different perspective.

However, it’s understandable that this transition can be overwhelming for all involved. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead and prepare for the move to make it as smooth as possible.

Following a checklist eliminates a lot of this stress and will help aging adults settle in comfortably. In this article, we share a comprehensive assisted-living checklist that you can use to help your aging family members with a seamless and stress-free move.

The Only Assisted Living Moving Checklist You Need

Moving to assisted living may be a difficult transition for your aging parents or grandparents. It means they’ll be leaving the home they’ve come to love and will be relying on others for their care.

We’ve created the checklist below in the hope of easing their transition from the family home to an assisted living facility.

Start with a plan

Planning ahead is the best way to help your aging loved ones move into an assisted living facility. Having a detailed plan helps you stay organized and on top of things during a busy and chaotic time.

Hire a moving company

You’ll want to find a moving company with a great reputation that can handle all your loved one’s belongings with care. 

Spend some time researching moving companies and contacting them for cost estimates. The company you choose should be properly licensed and insured to give you peace of mind.

Plan for healthcare needs

Before moving to the assisted living facility, set up an appointment for you and your aging loved one to visit their primary care physician. 

Ensure you understand their medical needs to pass this information on to their new facility. If need be, get referrals for a doctor who practices near their new assisted living home.

Focus on remaining calm and compassionate

Remember that moving to assisted living may be a turbulent time for your aging family members. It’s important that you keep in mind how they may be feeling and remain sensitive to this.

One way to show compassion and care is to ensure your plan includes enough time for them to sort through all of their treasured belongings at their own pace. This is especially important for those items that possess a deeper meaning to them. Allow for sufficient time to take regular breaks as you pack and organize everything.

Consider relying on an aging adult move manager

Many families rely on a moving specialist for aging adults to help with the move to an assisted living facility. 

They may be able to provide helpful insight on how to make this transition as easy as possible. They’re also usually able to recommend reliable service providers who can help with the move.

Get paperwork and logistics in order

These next steps ensure that you’re on track toward staying organized, which can alleviate the stress of last-minute obstacles.

Set up mail forwarding

Using the UPS online tool, you can set up mail forwarding to your aging loved one’s new address.

Cancel utility services

We recommend contacting all the relevant utility companies to cancel their services. Utilities and other bills are usually included in assisted living fees, but you might want to double-check this to be on the safe side.  

Change of address notices

To prevent any confusion down the line, we suggest that you let all the relevant service providers know about your aging loved one’s new address. This could include creditors, life insurance companies, and the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Sort through legal and financial paperwork

Ensure that your aging loved one’s financial and legal documents are all in order and that they are stored somewhere safe. You may want to consider keeping these documents in a folder in your own home for safekeeping.

Plan around their new living space

Now that you have a moving plan in place and you’ve considered all the logistics, it’s time to start thinking about the new space your aging relatives will move into.

Layout and design

It may be helpful to get a floor plan or the dimensions of their new living space. This can help you decide which pieces of furniture will fit into the space and what you may need to let go of.

Get a list of items and services from the facility

Next, you need to know what items the assisted living facility will provide.

We suggest you ask them about linens, toiletries, furniture, and appliances. This will help you figure out what needs to be moved to the new home and what to donate, sell, or store.

For example, many assisted living facilities offer laundry services, meaning you won’t have to move a washer and dryer with your aging relatives.

Find out what isn’t allowed

Another question for the facility is what is not allowed to be brought into the community. 

For example, a king-size bed might not be permitted, or the community may not allow rugs due to the tripping hazard they present. This will help you make decisions about what to pack.

Prioritize downsizing

Perhaps one of the most challenging parts of moving your aging relatives out of their family home is helping them downsize. It’s possible that their assisted living apartment will be smaller than their current home.

The items they’ve cherished for so many years may be hard to let go of, especially if they hold sentimental value. This is why we suggest setting aside a good amount of time to help your aging loved ones sort through all their belongings and prioritize essential items.

Keep in mind that they will now be living on a smaller scale, so oversized furniture, furnishings that aren’t in great condition, and heavier items might not be great for their new space.

Many assisted living communities provide most of the furniture your aging relatives will require, so you might need to leave most of their larger pieces behind.

Packing for assisted living

Some moving companies offer packing services, and this is something you may want to consider to make the process easier.

Don’t be afraid to ask your family members to lend a helping hand when it comes to packing up your aging loved ones’ belongings. This can be a big task to tackle on your own.

Use quality boxes

The last thing you want on a moving day is for the bottom of a box to cave in and for your loved one’s belongings to be scattered everywhere.

To ensure all their items are kept safe and to make moving a breeze, our advice is to invest in sturdy boxes.

Pack decorative items with care

Picture frames and ornaments are often some of the most precious belongings our aging loved ones own. Be sure to pack these in their own boxes with plenty of protective packaging.

Leave personal items until last

There are a few items that you should pack last, ideally on the morning of moving day. This includes toiletries, bathroom supplies, and medications.

The Most Important Item to Pack for Moving to Assisted Living

You can help your aging family members feel safer and more at ease in their new living space by investing in a medical alert device from LogicMark.

Depending on which device, your aging loved ones can contact emergency services, their caregiver, or their loved ones at the touch of a button. Many of the devices can be worn as a pendant or clipped onto a belt for around-the-clock safety.

Knowing your aging loved ones are safe in their new assisted living community (and that they can reach you at any time) will bring you comfort, too.

Visit our website to browse our range of medical alert devices — find the perfect assisted living companion.