Despite our team’s years of experience and elder care expertise, we know that moving a loved one into assisted living comes with a lot of emotions. Even if you know you’ve made the right choice and no matter how amazing the facility might be, it’s bittersweet to relocate your family member from the home they (and you!) have known, to somewhere new.
Dealing with complicated or challenging emotions can also be physically and mentally draining, making it hard to think straight. Our professional elder care team thought that creating a packing plan for our incoming residents and their families might help alleviate some stress and create a smoother transition for everyone involved.
The best compliment we can get is when our residents and their families say that As Life Goes On feels like home. That can start with knowing what to pack and what to leave behind.
We’ve made this checklist-style, so grab a pencil and get packing!
Identify the essentials
If you were going on a trip, you would want to ensure you had what you depend on throughout the day. The move to assisted living is really no different, so start by organizing and packing the must-haves for comfort and daily life. You and your loved one will know what these are, specifically, but a general list might include:
- Comfortable, easy-to-wear clothing
- Toiletries and personal care items
- Bedding, pillows, and a cozy blanket
- Medications, eyeglasses, and mobility aids
- Important documents (insurance cards, advance directives)
Focus on familiar touches
A few personal items can go a long way in creating a sense of familiarity, which is why we encourage our incoming residents to pack plenty of the following:
- Family photos or framed memories (our staff love seeing these and getting to know your loved one, frame-by-frame).
- A favorite chair or throw pillow
- Books, puzzles, or hobby materials
- Small decorative items or a cherished keepsake
We encourage you to pack these pieces and arrange them in such a way that your loved one’s new home with us feels warm, welcoming, and a place they feel proud of.
Now for the items best left behind…
Leave whatever results in clutter or overwhelm
Really, this is a good rule of thumb for any move! Clutter can create confusion and even safety hazards. In fact, we now know that clutter is actually bad for your health, specifically as an unnecessary stressor.
So, we recommend that you do not pack things like:
- Bulky furniture that doesn’t fit the space
- High-maintenance items (large plants, valuables)
- Duplicate or unused belongings
- Items that may trigger stress or sad memories
The name of the game here, short and sweet, is quality over quantity!
Invest in thoughtful emotional prep
By now we’ve probably all experienced the fact that packing is more than physical, it’s emotional. Be sure to give your loved one plenty of time to say goodbye to their old space. Keep them focused on the future by involving them in choosing items for the move. Empowering them with a sense of control can really help ease the transition.
Moreover, remind them that you’re not going anywhere! While their address will change, your relationship won’t. If you need some support for how to structure this new reality, take a look at these 5 Strategies to Help You Stay Involved After Your Loved One Moves into Assisted Living.
You’ve got this!
We’ve seen it many times, so we can assure you that with thoughtful packing and plenty of love, you will help your loved one step into assisted living feeling supported and surrounded by those things that matter most.
We are currently taking reservations at our locations around southern NH and invite you to contact us when you’re ready to learn more!
