Moving into a care home is a big change. It requires careful planning and timing to make the unfamiliar experience less demanding on your emotional, physical, and mental well-being, as well as for the older family member you want to take into a care home.

After conducting the necessary research and selecting the right care home, you should begin packing and preparing to move in. It is important to know what you can and can’t take into the care home beforehand to make the planning and packing process much easier. Here is a comprehensive checklist of items to pack when entering a care home.

Care Home Packing List

Different care homes have different requirements on the things you can bring to your care home room. You should get a comprehensive list from the care home on the things they allow. However, most homes will allow the following:

Clothing

You should bring clothing for at least two weeks. When packing your clothing, include options for the day, night, activities and events. Generally, pack clothes that are comfortable, easy to put on and take off. When selecting clothes, choose ones that can withstand frequent washing and drying. You can also add a few accessories to help you maintain your identity and control your style.

  • Tops/t-shirts
  • Jumpers
  • Trousers/ dresses/skirts
  • Clothes for parties and events
  • Dressing gown
  • A few sets of night clothes
  • Coats for different seasons (winter, spring/autumn)
  • Socks/ tights and undergarments
  • Slippers or other indoor shoes
  • Two pairs of shoes
  • Accessories such as hats, purses, scarves
  • Active wear for exercise classes and activities such as gardening

Personal Care and Hygiene

Your list of items should include personal care and hygiene. You can bring some toiletries and personal care products that you are familiar with and prefer using. Most care homes will charge extra for these items, and they might also not carry the options you prefer, such as soaps and shampoos.

  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste
  • Perfume
  • Toothbrush
  • Body lotion and moisturiser
  • Make-up
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Soap
  • Shaving equipment and products
  • Hair styling products such as hair clips and pins
  • Medicine

Bedding

Most care homes will provide bedding. But if you have personal preferences of style and material, you might want to bring your own bedding. You can speak to the team at the care home to find out what the situation is and ensure that what you bring can be laundered.

  • Towels
  • Blanket
  • Throw
  • Linen
  • Small lap blanket
  • Pillows and pillowcases

Electronics

You can bring a few electronic items to stay connected to family and friends, and provide you with entertainment and information. Some care homes in Leicester provide a TV, but you can check with the care home to find out if you are allowed to bring one. Don’t forget to carry the chargers and cords.

  • TV with remotes
  • Radio
  • Tablet
  • Mobile phone
  • Laptop
  • DVD player
  • Headphones
  • Extension cord

Furniture

Some care homes encourage residents to bring along their own pieces of furniture to give their space a more personal touch. If possible, you can accept the offer. Although it might seem like a big task, introducing your own furniture gives you more chances to fully personalise your space and keep the items that are sentimental to you.

Adding personal furniture is also a great benefit for people living with dementia, as it makes them feel more familiar with their surroundings. To comply with safety regulations, ensure the furniture is fire-retardant.

  • Lounge chair
  • Wardrobe
  • Desk
  • Nightstand
  • Lamp
  • Bookshelf
  • Chest of drawers

Decoration and Personal Items

Giving your room a personal touch can help you settle in and make your space feel more familiar. Personal items, such as family heirlooms and ornaments, can also help you reminisce and make the room feel more like home, as well as serving as great talking points for care home staff and other residents who want to get to know you better.

  • Ornaments
  • Paintings and photographs
  • Books and films
  • Magazines
  • Photo album
  • Hobbies such as puzzles, games, and knitting

What Can’t You Bring to a Care Home?

Different care homes have different requirements for the things you can and can’t bring to the care home. There’s almost nothing you can’t bring with you. It simply comes down to the space available in your room.

However, you need to consider the items you need carefully to maintain a good quality of life. This could include medical apparatus such as hoists or other apparatus that can help with your mobility and independence. It is highly advisable to visit the home prior to your move-in date to help you determine the space and what you can add to the care home.

There are some items that you won’t be able to bring because of the available space and practicality. It can be challenging, and you may need to dispose of some items that you cannot bring to the care home.

What Can You Do With the Items You Can’t Take to a Care Home?

There are times when you may not be able to fit into your care home room, and you might not be able to bring certain items with you. Although moving into the care home does not mean that you have to get rid of everything forever. If you have items of sentimental value, you can give them to friends or family or store them.

Storage is a good option if you’re going into a care home for a short term. Items that don’t hold sentimental value, such as furniture or clothing, can be given to charity or sold second-hand.

Conclusion

Moving to a care home can be an emotional time because you have to part ways with your home and some of your items. Because you can’t fit everything into the care home, it is important to carefully consider what you need most to make your life comfortable at the care home.