If your loved one is moving into a nursing home, everyone — including you — might be feeling stressed about the upcoming transition. Any move can feel daunting, but focusing on the logistics, like packing, can help to make the shift smoother. We’ve got a list of what to pack and what to leave behind when moving to a nursing home.

What to pack when moving to a nursing home

Different nursing homes will supply different items and have different rules for what you can and cannot bring. Before starting to pack, check with the facility about what’s included and what’s prohibited. Also check if some of the items they can supply come with any additional costs (such as bedding or a television with cable). Then, you can focus on the essentials as you begin to pack up. Here are items you should pack for your loved one.

Comfortable clothing

Your loved one will need comfortable clothing, including undergarments. Pack plenty of:

• Short-sleeved, comfortable shirts.
• Sweaters or sweatshirts. Consider sweaters that open in the front to accommodate limited mobility. Keep your loved one’s hand dexterity in mind and choose closures that work best for them, like snaps, buttons, zippers, or even magnetic closures.
• Comfortable pants, such as sweatpants, comfortable and loose slacks, athletic pants, etc.
• Undergarments. 
• Pajamas. 
• Socks.
• Shoes with nonslip soles. You might consider slip-on shoes or footwear with Velcro or elastic shoelaces.
• Slippers with nonskid soles.

The amount of each type of clothing item you should bring will depend on available space and how regularly their laundry will be done. Whether you choose to do your loved one’s laundry at home or have the community do it, having extra clothes is a good idea. Think about how often you do laundry, and bring enough clothes to last. If the facility will do the laundry, ask how often they wash the clothes and how long it takes to return them so you have enough of everything.

If your loved one can dress themselves, focus on bringing clothes they can independently put on. For example, you might want to leave behind the blouse with the small buttons, choosing instead to bring shirts they can more easily fasten or pull over their head. 

Adaptive clothing can also be an excellent idea, especially if your loved one has mobility challenges. Work with the facility caregiving and therapy team to determine if there are some clothing items you could bring in that might be effective for your loved one.

It’s also important to bring along clothes they can easily move around in, especially if they will be attending on-site therapy sessions or gentle exercise classes during their stay. Keep the tighter-fitting slacks at home and opt for pants they can easily walk, sit, and move in.

Favorite toiletries and personal care items

The facility may provide basic personal hygiene items, but it can be a comfort to pack your loved one’s favorite toiletries. Leave spare bottles in their room, and ask caregivers to let you know when they are running low so you can bring more. 

Make sure to pack:

• Hand soap.
• Toothpaste.
• Toothbrush.
• Denture cleaning supplies, if applicable.
• Comb or brush.
• Body soap or bodywash.
• Shampoo.
• Conditioner.
• Lotion.
• Deodorant.
• Hairbrush or comb.
• Electric razor.

Comfort items

You want your loved one’s new home to feel as comfortable and familiar as possible. Most nursing home rooms come furnished with the necessities, including a bed, a closet or dresser, and a nightstand. Some facilities also provide bedding and towels. You can still make it feel more like home by bringing along a favorite quilt or blanket, a few photo frames, and even a bouquet of flowers to set on the bedside table. Consider some of the following items:

• Favorite bedding and linens, including a pillow, sheets, a comforter, throw blanket, and towels from home (be sure to label them with the resident’s name).
• Bedside lamp with multiple brightness settings for cozy evenings. Touch lamps are easy to turn off and on.
• Picture frames with family photos. Ask the facility if you can use adhesive hooks that can stick to the wall to hang pictures. If not, you can stand the photos up on the windowsill or nightstand.

Opt to bring just a few of these comfort items at first, knowing that you can always bring in more at a later date once your loved one is settled in. It’s better to bring too little than to have to take items home because you brought too much.

Leisure items

Your loved one’s new nursing home will have an activities and events team that can provide independent leisure items for them. However, you can bring items that they can use to entertain themselves while in their room. Consider some of the following:

• Books, magazines, or an e-reader loaded with works from their favorite authors. 
• A word search, crossword, or other puzzle book and pencil. 
• Colored pencils and an adult coloring book.
• Their smartphone or tablet and a charger, if they have one. Not all nursing home rooms have landlines installed, and you will want to make sure you can contact them easily.
• A TV (if not already supplied by the facility). If the room has a TV, ask if you can bring a streaming device, like a Roku or Amazon FireStick, and plug it into the TV. If your loved one has access to a streaming service, you’ll give them unlimited entertainment by installing this gadget. Just be sure to help them learn how to use it.

Mobility devices

If your loved one uses a walker, cane, or wheelchair, bring it with them. The community staff can help ensure they are using it correctly and effectively. If your loved one needs a different mobility device per staff recommendations, they will let you know, and you can work together to get the devices swapped out.

Updated contact information for family members

Ensure your loved one has updated contact information for important family members. You can keep this information stored in their smartphone (if they have one) or in an address book. You’ll also want this information to pass along to community staff so they can have the correct information in your loved one’s chart.

What to leave behind when moving to a nursing home

Now that you have an idea of what to pack for your loved one, here are a few items that you’ll want to leave behind. Depending on your situation, you might need to leave these items in storage or back at your loved one’s home. You might also choose to sell or donate these items.

Furniture

Nursing home rooms typically come furnished with a hospital bed, a rolling bedside table, a dresser or closet, and a nightstand. (Many facilities also include a recliner, but if not, you may be able to bring in a recliner. Check with the facility if it is permitted and if there is space in your loved one’s room.) There’s no need to bring along additional furniture from home. In fact, a room cluttered with too many pieces of furniture can create a fall hazard.

Food

Your loved one will be served meals three times daily as well as snacks. There is no need to bring in food or drinks (although having a few of their favorite snacks on hand can be comforting as long as it is permitted and suitable for their dietary needs). 

Expensive or sentimental jewelry

Do not pack your loved one’s expensive jewelry, as it can be misplaced. Things do sometimes go missing in nursing homes. Instead, purchase nice costume jewelry or inexpensive replacements for them to wear. This way, you won’t need to worry about what happens if it is misplaced.

Cash

Some nursing homes have community accounts that work like bank accounts. Don’t bring cash to keep in your loved one’s wallet or drawers. Instead, speak with a community representative to put money in their account. They can use this money to pay for incidentals and cover extra fees.

Cleaning supplies

Your loved one will likely receive regular housekeeping visits, so you don’t need to bring in cleaning supplies. You also do not need to bring in laundry supplies, as either the facility will take care of that or your family will opt to take laundry home and bring it back.

Vehicle

Even if your loved one still safely drives, leave the car behind. Many facilities do not even allow residents to bring vehicles. If they are going to return home or to another senior living facility, you can bring the car to them at that point. Chances are, if your loved one requires the complex and acute care provided at a nursing home, they do not have the time, energy, or capabilities to drive safely.

Items that present a safety hazard

It may seem obvious, but it’s not a good idea to bring any items that could be a safety hazard to your loved one and other residents. These items could include knives, candles, and space heaters. These are typically prohibited by facilities. Ask about what other items are not allowed in the nursing home.

What to bring later after moving to a nursing home

You can always bring additional items to your loved one’s room once they get settled and realize what they need (and don’t need) on a daily basis. Here are some items you might consider bringing along later.

Seasonal decorations

Brighten up your loved one’s room with decorations for their favorite holidays. Ask your loved one’s community for instructions on what can be brought in and what needs to be left behind due to fire and space regulations.

A favorite recliner

As mentioned above, nursing homes typically provide certain furniture items. While some provide a recliner in each room, not all do. If your loved one has a favorite chair, they might be able to bring it in either way. Speak with a facility staff member about the regulations and their recommendations before bringing up the possibility with your loved one.

Makeup and grooming tools

Once your loved one is settled in and feeling better, it might be time to bring in their favorite makeup and grooming essentials. Don’t forget to bring along makeup remover wipes or face wash so they can take it off each evening.

Seasonal clothing

If you live in a place where the weather changes each season, you might consider rotating items in and out of your loved one’s dresser to reflect that. Cozy sweaters and sweatshirts in the winter can bring comfort, and short-sleeved tops in the summer can ensure your loved one stays comfortable. If your loved one enjoys getting outside or in a shared community outdoor space, bring a light jacket in the spring and fall and a heavier coat in the winter.

Your loved one’s skilled nursing staff will also communicate with you when your loved one needs new items. Rely on their recommendations to keep your loved one’s room well stocked.

When a loved one moves to a nursing home, it can feel difficult to know where to start. With the right planning and packing, they will transition to their new home with comfort and ease.

Senior care facility rules and requirements vary based on company-specific policies and state-level regulations. The content above represents common guidelines but may differ from a particular facility’s policies or requirements. To learn the regulations that apply in your state, contact your local Oasis Senior Advisor.