Wondering which items to bring, or debating what things would be better left behind? Learn more from our checklist on the top five things to bring to assisted living.
Downsizing to an Assisted Living Community
Most families who have helped their loved ones make the move to assisted living have been confronted with the challenges of downsizing. Assisted living communities have many benefits, but often have limited space. Deciding which things to bring to an assisted living apartment after a parent has spent years living in the same home can be difficult for all.Unfortunately, downsizing is often essential, so it is important to keep a smaller scale in mind when preparing a parent for the move.After confirming the exact measurements of an apartment with your assisted living community, it is necessary to focus on which items to bring to assisted living — and which things to leave behind.
Top Things to Bring to Assisted Living
Read this checklist, which features the top five items to bring to an assisted living community:1. Cleaning Supplies
Most assisted living communities include housekeeping, but you may want to consider bringing a few cleaning supplies like a broom, soap, surface wipes and towels to take care of any unexpected messes.2. Decor
Personal decor like paintings, photographs, plants or a vase can really make a new apartment feel like home.3. Furniture
Limit furniture to a bed, chairs and sofa to fit an assisted living apartment space, and then add any additional pieces of furniture from home as necessary.4. Houseware
Since meals will be provided, only a few sets of dishes, pans and pots will do. You could also consider a miniature microwave, refrigerator or trash can.5. Personal Items
Clothes (clothing sets, pajamas, socks, shoes and underwear), glasses, medications and toiletries are the first personal items to pack. Consider all other items as space permits.What Not to Bring to Assisted Living
As space will be limited, there are many items that you will not want to pack for a parent to bring to assisted living, like:- Collectables
- Kitchen items
- Large furniture sets
- Multiples of items
- Rugs
