Moving a parent into assisted living involves much more than choosing the right community. Once you have selected a community, you may need to sort belongings, arrange the move, prepare the new apartment, update important accounts and decide what to do with the family home.
Breaking the process into smaller steps can make it much more manageable.
A Checklist for Moving a Parent Into Assisted Living
Begin by asking the assisted living community for its complete move-in checklist. Requirements may include medical forms, a health assessment, signed agreements, insurance information, medication lists and emergency contacts.
Confirm the following details:
- Move-in date and permitted hours
- Apartment measurements and floor plan
- Furniture and appliance restrictions
- Moving-company insurance requirements
- Parking and elevator procedures
- Items the community provides
- Items residents are not permitted to bring
Completing these details early can prevent last-minute problems.
Decide What Will Fit in the New Apartment
An assisted living apartment will probably have less space than your parent’s current home. Measure the rooms and create a simple furniture plan before deciding what to bring.
Prioritize the belongings your parent uses and values most. Familiar furniture, photographs, artwork, bedding and keepsakes can make the new apartment feel more like home.
Involve your parent in these decisions whenever possible. Choosing what to bring—and where it will be placed—can provide a sense of control during a major transition.
Sort the Remaining Belongings
Selecting items for the new apartment is only one part of moving a parent into assisted living. Families must also decide what to do with everything that will not be moved.
Separate the belongings into clear categories:
- Move to the new apartment
- Give to family or friends
- Sell through an estate sale or auction
- Donate
- Ship to relatives
- Recycle or discard
- Store temporarily
Give family members a deadline for choosing and collecting the items they want. Try to avoid creating a large “decide later” pile, since those decisions can delay the entire process.
Arrange the Move
Moving into an assisted living community can be different from a typical household move. The community may have strict arrival times, limited elevator access and specific requirements for moving companies.
Look for a mover that is properly insured and experienced in working with older adults and assisted living communities.
Some families also hire a senior move manager. A senior move manager can help organize belongings, develop a floor plan, coordinate packing, supervise the move, unpack and arrange the new apartment.
Prepare the Apartment Before Move-In Day
If possible, have the apartment set up before your parent arrives. Make the bed, unpack clothing, display photographs, connect the television and place familiar belongings where your parent expects to find them.
Make sure walking paths are clear and frequently used items are easy to reach. Arriving at an organized, familiar-looking apartment can make the first day less stressful.
Decide What to Do With the Home
If your parent owns a home, the family must decide whether to sell it, rent it or maintain it temporarily.
Preparing the property may require:
- Removing the remaining belongings
- Holding an estate sale or auction
- Donating usable items
- Completing a home cleanout
- Making necessary repairs
- Deep cleaning the property
- Maintaining the lawn and exterior
- Selecting a real estate professional
It may be helpful to speak with a real estate agent who has experience assisting older adults and their families.
Update Accounts and Contact Information
Make a list of organizations that need your parent’s new address or updated contact information. This may include healthcare providers, insurance companies, banks, credit-card companies, subscription services and government agencies.
Arrange mail forwarding and review the utilities, internet service, home security, landscaping and other services connected to the old home. Do not cancel anything until you are certain it is no longer needed.
Allow Time for Your Parent to Adjust
Even when the move is necessary, your parent may experience sadness, anger or uncertainty. These feelings do not necessarily mean the decision was wrong.
Help your parent learn the community’s routines, meet staff members and discover activities they may enjoy. At the same time, allow your parent the space needed to establish a new routine and sense of independence.
Finding Help With an Assisted Living Move
Most families have never coordinated this type of move and may not know which local professionals to contact.
MoveMyMom.com connects Palm Beach County families with professionals who can assist with senior move management, moving, estate sales and auctions, cleanouts, real estate, donations and shipping belongings to family members.
Your family chooses which services it needs and which professionals it wants to use. You can receive as much or as little help as you need, at no cost or obligation to you.
Moving a parent into assisted living can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to coordinate every part of the process yourself. Visit MoveMyMom.com or call 877-575-9900 when you are ready to start planning the next steps.