What you should — and shouldn’t — bring when moving into a SC nursing home
Moving is never a seamless experience, no matter if it’s a college dorm room, new home or even a hotel for the weekend. The hassle of packing and taking some of your prized possessions to a brand new location is often anxiety-inducing.
When it comes time to move into a nursing home or assisted living facility, it can be a struggle to figure out what you should actually take.
We’ve rounded up some of the top tips and best advice for packing and moving into an assisted living facility.
Nursing home regulations
Before packing your things in a box, make sure to take a look at your new home and consider the space you have.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, all nursing homes certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid must comply with federal regulations enforced by the CMS and state agencies responsible for conducting surveys.
The CMS Manual states that nursing homes must provide the following to all residents:
A room with a window to the outside for natural light and orientation to the time of day, weather and season.
A bed of appropriate size and height.
A clean, comfortable mattress.
Bedding that is appropriate to the weather and climate.
Furniture appropriate to the resident’s needs, including a separate closet or clothing storage spaces.
These regulations also require nursing homes to provide a “safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment” as outlined by the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987.
The goal is for these facilities to promote independence and increase each resident’s quality of life.
What to know before moving in
Just as you would before moving into a new house, make sure to check all the space and amenities your facility provides.
Some things to note in your new living space should include:
Floor plans
Room plans (private or semi-private)
Cleanliness and hygiene maintenance
Safety and security protocols
Mood and appearance of current residents
Homely and welcoming atmosphere
24/7 medical and non-medical supervision
On-site registered nurses and doctors
Continuous care assessments and treatment plans
Activities and socializing opportunities
Availability of common rooms, libraries, pools, etc.
You should also double-check if there are any additional costs if you decide to hook up a TV to cable or other potential hidden fees.
What to bring
The long-awaited (or dreaded) question: What do I need to bring?
While there’s no right or wrong answer to what you should take with you to make your new home feel like your own, there are some practical items you shouldn’t forget and suggested ways to make the space comfortable for you.
Here are the top items you should bring with you into a nursing home, according to AgingCare.com and Care Patrol:
Important Documents
Birth certificate
Insurance card
Social security card
Medicare or Medicaid card
Organ donor card
A living will
Mortgage papers
Military records
Statements of any loan (i.e., bridge loan)
Clothes
Pants
Tops
Pajamas
Robe
Sweaters
Socks
Decor
Paintings
Room Decor
Photos or a photo album
Bedding and throw blanket
Pillow
Some additional furniture, such as a desk, chair or dresser, if space permits
Personal Care Items
Towels and linens
Toiletries
Shampoo and Conditioner
Medications
Hobby Items & Entertainment
Books
Coloring books
Knitting/Crochet
Puzzles
Scrapbooks
Electronics like a TV, headphones, tablet
Miscellaneous Items
Microwave or small fridge (if not provided)
Dishes and glasses to use every day (not full table settings)
What about sentimental items?
If there is something sentimental, such as a blanket, decoration or something similar that helps both personalize and comfort you in this new space, it is recommended to bring it.
However, more precious items like fine jewelry or heirlooms should not be brought into a nursing home, as multiple people enter the facility each day and many items can easily go missing or get lost.
What not to bring
It is often stressed that you should only take items that you use regularly and keep anything extra to a bare minimum of what you need to feel comfortable.
To keep you and your valuables safe, there are some items that you should not take with you into a nursing home.
Expensive items like jewelry
Pets
Perishable food
Tobacco products
Lots of knick-knacks or collectibles (surface space will be limited)
Throw rugs or area rugs (they’re a tripping hazard)
Chairs on wheels
Seldom-worn jewelry and numerous decorative items
Multiples of most things (e.g., mugs, appliances, bathrobes, coats, handbags)
Oversized furniture like large sofas
Boxes of stored items (bring only what’s used regularly)
How to keep track of items
Making sure to keep track of all your items that you bring with you into a nursing home can be stressful.
Lots of people come in and out of these facilities and patient spaces daily. This includes aides, nurses, housekeeping staff, activities staff, visitors, volunteers, friends and family members.
Luckily, there are a few ways that you or your loved one can keep track of the items you move into the nursing home:
Make a checklist
As you pack, make a list of everything you plan to bring, especially if it’s a valuable item.
To help keep track, once you create a list of all the items, assign each item a number. Then, you can put this list in a binder or folder to keep it organized.
As you make a list of your belongings, make sure to include the following information for each item to help you keep track of it or identify it if you happen to lose it:
A description of the item
The date it was brought to the facility
The name of the person who brought it
The room number where it is located
Initial your items
An easy way to keep track of your belongings is to mark them with a name, an initial or symbols.
Clothing and other items can easily be mixed up in the laundry. Use a permanent marker on clothing and fabrics, and either purchase or make labels with your loved one’s name and room number so that all other items can be quickly and easily labeled.
You can also iron or sew on decorative patches to identify clothing items without them appearing like labels.
For items like glasses, hearing aids, denture cases, personal care items and durable medical equipment like walkers and furniture, try to mark them to the best of your ability. You can sometimes place stickers or decorative ribbons in hidden spots to help identify it.
Ask if your facility offers inventory assistance
Some nursing homes offer to take inventory of a new resident’s belongings upon move-in.
To ensure your inventory remains in good hands, you can request that the Admissions Coordinator or Director of Nursing sign this inventory on move-in day. If an item disappears, you are much more likely to have the facility replace it if you have a documented move-in list.
