A step-by-step guide to moving into care

Whether you’re moving a relative into a care home, or perhaps considering moving into a care home yourself, it can seem challenging to know the best way to prepare and to know what to pack.

Often, moving into a care home can mean moving out of a family home, downsizing, and moving into a single bedroom.

We’ve shared some of our top tips for planning your move and helping with the transition.

What to Expect When Moving into a Care Home

Moving into a care home from a family home will inevitably mean less space than what you were used to previously. For this reason, it’s important to do research when choosing a care home and consider exactly what you intend on packing – once you’ve chosen your new home.

What to Pack When Moving into a Care Home

Below is a list of suggestions that could help you pack for moving into a care home.

Clothing

As well as liking how you look, the clothes should ideally be comfortable and easy to take off and put on.

• Jumpers
• Trousers/skirts/dresses
• Tops
• Coats
• Nightclothes/dressing gown/slippers
• Clothes for evening wear
• Shoes
• Accessories
• Personal Care and Toiletries

• Soft blankets, throws or lap rugs
• Cosy slippers or warm socks
• Comfortable clothing like cardigans or easy-to-wear tops
• Heated cushions or hand warmers

• Hand creams, essential oils, perfume
• Weighted blankets for comfort and security

• Photo albums, framed family pictures or digital photo frames
• Customised calendars with family birthdays and photos
• Personalised items (mugs, cushions, keyrings with names/pictures)
• Memory boxes to store treasured items

• Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords or word searches
• Adult colouring books and pens
• Books, large-print novels or audiobooks
• Craft kits (knitting, painting, simple DIY projects)

• Organisers or reminder boards for daily routines
• Stationery for letters or cards

• Favourite chocolates, biscuits or sweets (check dietary restrictions)
• Fruit baskets or snack packs

• Tickets or vouchers for outings
• Private dining in the home or out of the home
• A day out with family or friends
• A subscription to magazines, newspapers or streaming services

• Gifts that encourage connection: photos, letters, visits are often treasured most
• Think comfort, stimulation and enjoyment: items that make everyday life easier or more pleasant are highly appreciated

Most of our homes provide a small selection of toiletries but it’s a good idea to bring your own, especially as you may be used to, or prefer certain products.

• Soaps/shampoos/conditioners
• Perfume
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Moisturisers or body lotions
• Hairbrush/Comb
• Shaving equipment

We will cover features such as bedding and basic bedroom furniture. However, if you have personal preferences of style or material, or want to make your space feel more homely, you may wish to pack some of the following:

• Blanket/quilt
• Bed linen
• Pillows
• Towels
• Lamps
• Cushions
• Personal Items

Giving the room a personal touch helps many people moving into a care home adjust to their new surroundings. Personal items such as ornaments, trinkets, and photographs can make the room feel much more like home.

• Paintings/Photographs
• Photo albums
• Ornaments
• Hobby equipment such as knitting, games, puzzles
• Mentality Preparing for Moving

As well as thinking of the physical belongings you’ll need to include on your checklist, it’s important to also consider other elements which can make the transition stress-free and seamless.
Familiarise yourself with the home

Once you’ve gone through the process of choosing a care home, it’s time to get familiar with what will be your new home – perhaps attend for dinner or lunch or join an activity before you move in. Why not book into the barbers, hairdressers or nail salon for the week you join, this will give you something to look forward to.

Get to Know the Staff

The staff within the home will be looking after a whole range of things, from housekeeping, administering medication, mealtimes, bathing, and dressing, among many other things.
Getting to know the staff by chatting about yourself and your life means you’ll be well on the way to having great relationships when you move in.

Notify People of Your New Address

To make sure the move goes smoothly, and to avoid hassle once you’ve moved in, it’s a good idea to give relevant people information about your change of address and circumstances. These can include your bank, council, GP, utility companies as well as friends and family.

We hope you find this useful, if the move itself concerns you in any way, reach out to your home manager who can support you through the process.