Moving to Assisted Living? What to Bring and Not to Bring

March 12th, 2019 by John Wilson

Deciding to make the move to assisted living in Oklahoma City isn’t always easy. It’s difficult for seniors to leave their homes behind and admit they need assistance with some areas of their lives. However, once this decision has been made, it’s time to start laying the groundwork for the move. Oklahoma assisted living has specific requirements regarding what you are allowed to bring and what you should leave behind. For many, this move involves downsizing from a full house to a smaller apartment. The following guide will help you decide which items should make the move with your loved one.

What to Bring

First and foremost, it’s important to understand what you should bring. It’s critical to tour the assisted senior living facility you’re planning to move your loved one into so you have a feel for what is included in the apartments. Many of them do include some furnishings or other items so your loved one doesn’t need to supply them. However, there are certain items, such as beds or perhaps your loved one’s favorite recliner, that can often be brought. Talk to the Oklahoma assisted living facility to be sure.

For the most part, what your loved one should bring when they move into assisted living in Oklahoma City is relatively minimal. Assisted living apartments are often quite small and don’t leave a lot of room for extras without creating a cluttered area. Clearly your loved one will need to bring their clothing and other personal effects they need for day-to-day life, such as personal hygiene items and medications. The following are also items they should consider bringing along:

• Cleaning Supplies — Some assisted senior living facilities do offer cleaning services to residents who need a little help, but bringing their own cleaning supplies ensures they can take care of small messes when they occur instead of having to wait for someone else to help.

• Housewares — Many senior living apartments come equipped with a small kitchen so seniors can have snacks available and potentially even prepare small meals when they wish to. Therefore, they will need to bring some dishes and other housewares with them. However, keep these to a minimum.

• Decor — While you don’t want to clutter the space, some decor items can help make the space feel like home. Consider bringing along some photographs or paintings to hang on the wall and maybe a potted plant or two or a few knick-knacks. Be sure to double check what the facility allows their residents to have.

What Not to Bring

This is one of the toughest areas for many seniors to handle. They have collected a number of items over their years, many of which have significant sentimental value, making them difficult to part ways with. However, with the limited space, it’s best to leave these items in the hands of loved ones they trust for safekeeping. In addition to collectables and other valuable items, large pieces of furniture, kitchen appliances and multiples should be left behind. It’s also best to avoid rugs, since they can create a tripping hazard for seniors.

If you’re looking for quality assisted senior living, contact us. We take great pride in offering our residents the highest quality of care.