inside of a nursing home room

Helping a parent move into assisted living or a nursing home is one of the hardest moves a family makes. It usually means leaving a long-time home, cutting a lifetime of belongings down to a single room or small apartment, and doing it on a timeline set by health needs or an open bed. Planning the move carefully makes the transition easier for everyone, especially the person moving. Here is how to approach it.

Start With the New Space

Before deciding what to keep, get the floor plan and measurements of the new room or apartment. Ask the facility what it provides, such as a bed, dresser or nightstand, and what residents are allowed to bring. Some facilities have rules about electrical items, rugs or furniture size for safety reasons. Knowing the space first keeps the family from packing more than will fit.

Involve Your Parent in the Choices

Whenever possible, let your parent decide what comes along. Familiar items such as a favorite chair, a quilt, photos and a few pieces of art make a new room feel like home and can ease the adjustment. Go room by room at a comfortable pace rather than all at once, and take breaks. This part of the process is often more emotional than physical.

Sort Into Clear Categories

Use simple groups: moving with Mom or Dad, going to family members, donating, selling and discarding. Label boxes and furniture with colored tape or stickers so everyone, including the movers, knows where each item goes. If family members live far away, set deadlines for claiming items so the house can be cleared on time.

Dan the Moving Man crew during a local move

Set Up the New Room Before Your Parent Arrives

If you can, have the furniture placed, the bed made, clothes hung and photos up before your parent arrives. Walking into a finished room is far less stressful than walking into a stack of boxes. Arrange furniture to leave clear walking paths for a walker or wheelchair, and put everyday items within easy reach.

Plan for the Rest of the House

Once the move is done, the old home still needs to be emptied. Furniture and household goods can go to family, donation centers or an estate sale. Whatever is left can be hauled off with junk removal so the house is ready to sell or return to the landlord.

When to Bring in Movers

Moves into care facilities have their own logistics: elevator reservations, check-in times, loading areas and staff who need to know when the crew is coming. A team that does nursing home and assisted living moves regularly can coordinate with the facility, move furniture carefully through hallways and set up the room. For a small load, a few-item move may be all you need.

A Short Checklist for Families

  • Get the floor plan and the facility’s rules on furniture and electrical items.
  • Let your parent choose the familiar items that come along.
  • Label everything by destination: new room, family, donate, sell or discard.
  • Confirm move-in time, elevator and loading details with the facility.
  • Set up the room before your parent arrives.
  • Plan how the rest of the house will be cleared.

We Are Here to Help

Dan the Moving Man helps families in Eau Claire, Wausau, La Crosse and Rhinelander move parents into assisted living with patience and care, and seniors receive 5% off their move. Request a free quote to talk through your family’s plan.