It can be quite liberating for an older person to know that they can now have assistance with difficult daily chores, cooking meals and housekeeping. When these become daily frustrations that are visible to you, you know they’ve probably been frustrating them for a long time now. You may find shifting into assisted living is a welcomed experience once they see it for themselves. It significantly improves quality of life to be in the company of others and to be in a house properly equipped for senior living. To make the best of the experience, ensure that you take along things that are useful for them and which they enjoy having around. So what should you pack to take along? This packing checklist for their move to assisted living. Share it with them, read it to them or print it out so they can take their time adjusting to a lightened load. You can make it a personalized letter by just copying and pasting it as such: We’re so excited to have you become a part of our community! Here’s a packing list to make things easy. If you have any questions give us a call.
Things to pack.
Personal items:
Furniture:
➢Bed along with mattress (unless this is provided by the assisted living facility). You could bring your own or hire a surgical bed.
➢A nightstand with shelves or drawers for stowing away meds, extra toiletries, grooming implements.
➢A small sofa or a couple of chairs, maybe a favorite rocking chair.
➢A kitchen table or perhaps a drop leaf table that saves space.
Housewares:
➢A minifridge, if not provided
➢Small microwave.
➢A few pots and pans, dishes and glasses for everyday use.
➢A few special items if you enjoy cooking or want to do something special for occasions.
➢Blender, coffee maker, teapot or other appliance that you’re used to having around and enjoy. Lovemaking stew? Don’t forget the crockpot
➢Trash can.
➢Laundry detergent, laundry basket.
Décor items:
➢A minifridge, if not provided
➢Small microwave.
➢A few pots and pans, dishes and glasses for everyday use.
➢A few special items if you enjoy cooking or want to do something special for occasions.
➢Blender, coffee maker, teapot or other appliance that you’re used to having around and enjoy. Lovemaking stew? Don’t forget the crockpot
➢Trash can.
➢Laundry detergent, laundry basket.
Entertainment:
➢Favorite books, journals, forward magazine subscriptions.
➢Your desktop or laptop if you use one regularly.
➢A personal music player with a small speaker and/or earphones.
➢TV and/or radio (though common areas may have a TV, you may prefer to watch shows of your choice at your own time).
➢Phone, tablet or other handheld devices.
➢Chargers, connecting cable and any other electronic accessories that may be required.
➢Tool kit for basic mending or if your assisted living facility has workshop areas.
➢Supplies for any hobby you have: embroidery, knitting, painting, gardening.
➢Sport implements if there are facilities for these.
➢Board games, playing cards.
Once you’ve decided what you will need to pack and take along, consider whether you need a packing and moving service or whether you can make the shift without hiring a professional. Something else to consider: Do you plan to shift other items into storage, dispose of a few things, give them away to family and friends, or donate to charity? These are some of the decisions that you should take after careful consideration and discussion with your loved ones. Moving to a place where you have assistance, where you will have new friends, will feel like home before you know it. If you really want the inside scoop, visit your new home, and talk with the residents, your new neighbors and friends. Schedule your tour here. Our residents love helping new neighbors remember the must-haves to fully enjoy this new lifestyle.
See you soon.