Checklist: What to Bring When Moving a Parent to Assisted Living

Are you getting ready to help your parent move into an assisted living community?

If so, you may be wondering what to pack. Because assisted living apartments are limited on space, your parent will need to streamline their belongings down to just the essentials. Chances are, your parent has lived in the same home for many years, which can make downsizing a challenge.

To help you decide what to bring and what to leave behind, we’ve assembled this helpful assisted living packing checklist:

Furniture

Some families prefer to buy all-new furniture, while others want to bring familiar pieces to assisted living. Here are a few basic furniture pieces to consider bringing:

Small table and chairs
Nightstand(s)
Loveseat or small couch
Coffee table
Bed with sheets, pillow, and bedding
Desk and office chair

Remember to measure all furniture to make sure it will fit within your parent’s apartment layout.

Décor

Recreating the look and feel of your parent’s previous home can help ease their transition to a new space. While you can’t bring everything, be sure to incorporate at least a few of your parent’s favorite keepsakes.

Some décor ideas include:

Potted plants (live or artificial)
Throw pillows and blankets
Mirror
Framed photographs and artwork
Mementos and keepsakes
Clock
Reading lamp(s)
Night lights for the bedroom and hallways

Clothing

Streamlining your parent’s wardrobe can be one of the biggest challenges of downsizing. Here are some essential clothing items to bring:

Casual clothing
Jackets and coats
Exercise clothing
Formal wear
Pajamas and robe
Shoes, socks, and slippers
Hangars and storage containers for out-of-season clothes

Entertainment and technology

Assisted living communities keep residents busy with fun daily social events and activities. But at the end of the day, your parent may want to enjoy watching a favorite TV show or curling up with a good book in the comfort of their private apartment. Don’t forget to take along these belongings:

Telephone
Television with DVDs or a streaming device
Radio
Alarm clock
Tablet or laptop computer
Books and reading material
Playing cards
Office supplies, stationery, and stamps

Toiletries and personal items

These are the items that your parent uses every day, so they should be the last ones to pack before moving. If your parent has a favorite brand of shampoo, soap, or lotion, it’s a good idea to stock up so you can replenish their supply as needed. Some assisted living communities even offer on-site salons, so residents don’t have to travel far for hair or nail care services.

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Personal hygiene items
Bath towels, washcloths, and hand towels
Assisted devices such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, canes or walkers

Remember, space in your loved one’s new assisted living apartment will be limited.

Here’s a brief list of what not to bring:

Large furniture and artwork
Multiples of the same item
Tripping hazards such as loose area rugs
Kitchen and cooking supplies
Prescription medicines and over-the-counter medications/vitamins (Assisted living communities will assist residents with medication management to ensure safety.)

At Bethany Village, we know that moving a parent to assisted living is no small task. That’s why our Transition Coordinators are here to ease the transition and make sure your parent feels right at home in their new assisted living apartment.

If you’re just beginning to search for an assisted living community for your parent, we invite you to contact us to learn more and schedule a tour of Bethany Village.

Many older adults have fascinating stories to tell about their lives, but they don’t always have an outlet to share them. The next time you visit your loved one, consider setting aside some time to interview them about their lives and memories. Here are some wonderful ways to capture and preserve your loved one’s stories for future generations.

Keep a journal

One of the easiest ways to preserve your family’s history is by simply writing it down. Ask questions to encourage your loved one to share more about their life. What was their favorite childhood memory? Who was their first love? What are some valuable lessons they learned in their life? StoryCorps has a great list of interview questions which can also serve as writing prompts.

If they are willing and able, your loved one can also write or type out their memories themselves. In some senior living communities, nonfiction writing classes are offered to help residents put their real-life stories into words. Many seniors find that writing about their lives is highly enjoyable and even therapeutic.

Create a scrapbook

Looking through photographs with your loved one is another way to help them recall memories of people, events, and stories. Especially if your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease, seeing photographs may help to spark their memory. As you sort through your loved one’s collection of photos, try to label them, taking note of the date, event, and the people in the scene. Assembling a scrapbook together is a great way to spend time with your loved one and ensure their priceless memories are preserved for posterity.

Record an oral history

Some families preserve their history by recording interviews with loved ones. Because many smartphones come with recording apps, it’s relatively easy to record quality audio of your loved one sharing their stories and memories. Try to record multiple interviews and conversations with your loved one over time and compile them into a cohesive audio document that can be shared with other family members.

Make a video

Today’s smartphones are equipped with cameras that make it possible to record high-quality video footage anytime, anyplace. Take advantage of the technology to capture footage of your loved ones during your next visit or family get-together. Recorded interviews, candid footage, old family “home videos” and photos can all be edited together to create your own movie masterpiece.

No matter how you choose to capture and preserve family memories, the most important outcome is the opportunity to connect with your loved one on a deeper level. Be sure to ask plenty of questions and learn as much as you can about your loved one’s stories and experiences. You will never regret spending those extra moments together!

How have you preserved your loved one’s memories? Which method do you like best? Let us know on social media: @BethanyLutheranVillage.

We all want the best for our parents, especially as they grow older. Many senior adults value their independence and want to continue living at home as they age. However, there comes a day when most families are faced with a difficult question: How do I know if my aging loved should still live alone? If you’re concerned about the safety and wellbeing of your mother, father, or another older relative, look out for these warning signs, which may indicate they need the services provided by assisted living.

The house looks messier than you remember

The next time you visit your parent, take note of their home’s condition. Is the house cluttered, or messier than usual? Do you notice piles of unopened mail or bills? Is there expired food in the refrigerator, dirty dishes, or other signs of neglected household chores? Does the house itself need repairs or maintenance work? These could be signs that your parent is having difficulty keeping up with their home and needs more help.

You notice changes in their physical appearance

With age, we all inevitably experience changes in our appearance. But some physical changes can be a cause for concern. If you notice that your parent has suddenly lost or gained a significant amount of weight, it could be a sign of malnutrition or another underlying health problem. Also, look out for anything abnormal in your parent’s personal hygiene and grooming habits. For example, are their clothes clean? Are they still getting haircuts? Giving your parent a hug can reveal a lot about any worrisome changes in their physical health and wellness, especially if you haven’t seen them in a while.

You spot signs of forgetfulness

Everyone experiences forgetfulness from time to time, but forgetfulness that interferes with your parent’s everyday routine can be an indication of a more significant problem. Some clues that your parent may be experiencing a memory condition include things like forgetting appointments, becoming confused about people they know, missing medication doses, or repeating the same questions or stories. Frequent forgetfulness and memory loss are a clear sign that your parent may no longer be able to live alone at home safely.

They’re not as social as they used to be

Maybe your mother used to be a social butterfly, but lately, she has been withdrawing from her friends and social groups. Or perhaps your father isn’t as interested in the hobbies he used to love. Changes in your loved one’s social life and activities can be a sign of depression, one of the most common mental illnesses among older adults. If you suspect your parent is lonely, isolated, or depressed, living alone might no longer be the best option for them. Assisted living communities provide older adults more opportunities for social engagement, which in turn helps improve their physical and emotional health.

If you’re worried about the health and safety of your loved one living alone, don’t be afraid to voice your concerns. Many seniors adults are stubborn about asking for help, or they may be unaware that they need any assistance in the first place. Before you approach the topic of assisted living with your parent, take some time to research and visit nearby assisted living facilities. You’ll feel well-prepared as you propose the idea and gain a better understanding of the services and amenities provided in assisted living.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities may sound similar, but there are some very important differences that you’ll want to keep in mind while researching the right living option
for you or a loved one. So, nursing home or assisted living… which is right for you? Here are some helpful definitions and tips:

Assisted Living Facility

These are facilities designed for older adults who can no longer live safely on their own, or who need a little extra help to perform everyday tasks. “Assisted” living is just what it sounds like, with staff on call who can help with medications, meals, and housekeeping duties to give seniors a better quality of life. At all times, resident space is respected to ensure that everyone can live with as much or as little assistance as they need.

Generally, staff are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to ensure the safety of the facility’s residents. Many facilities will also have set hours when licensed nurses are available. Assisted living facilities may also include social activities, on-site dining, laundry, and transportation services. Be sure to ask about the level of help and care you can expect from any assisted living facility you tour.

Nursing Homes

Seniors who require a very high level of medical care and around-the-clock assistance may be better served by a nursing home. Licensed nurses are available at all hours. These homes may also provide short-term care for those who need extra help while they recover from a long illness, injury, or major surgery.

Seniors who choose nursing homes often require very specialized care beyond routine assistance with daily needs. Residents may still enjoy collective dining and social activities as their condition allows.

So is an assisted living or nursing home right for you? It will depend greatly on your own personal condition or the condition of your loved one. Consulting with family, friends, and your physician to get their recommendations may assist you in making your decision.