Helping a parent or relative move into a care home is one of the hardest moves a family can make. It is often emotional, sometimes arranged at short notice and usually involves fitting a lifetime of belongings into a single room. This moving into a care home checklist walks families through what to ask the home, what to take, what to do with everything else and how to make the day itself as calm as possible.
Start by Talking to the Care Home
Every care home has its own rules, so speak to the manager before you plan anything. Ask:
- What are the room’s measurements? A floor plan or photographs make planning much easier.
- Which furniture is already provided? Most rooms include a bed, and some include a wardrobe and chair.
- Can we bring our own furniture? Some homes welcome a favourite chair or chest of drawers; others limit what can come in.
- Do electrical items need safety checks? Many homes ask for lamps, radios and televisions to be checked before use.
- Should clothing be labelled? Many homes ask families to label clothes for the laundry.
- When can we arrive, and where can a vehicle park to unload?
Choose What Matters Most
A care home room will feel like home far sooner if it is filled with familiar things. Rather than trying to fit as much as possible, choose items that bring comfort and a sense of identity.
- A favourite armchair if the home allows it, as this is often the most important piece.
- Family photographs and a few pictures for the walls, if hanging is permitted.
- A familiar bedspread, cushions or throw.
- A small bookcase or shelf for books, ornaments and keepsakes.
- Comfortable clothes and shoes, labelled as the home requests.
- A clock, radio or television that your relative already knows how to use.
Involve your relative in these choices wherever possible. Being part of the decision helps people feel more settled once they arrive.
Care Home or Retirement Flat?
Moving into a retirement flat or sheltered housing is usually less restrictive than a care home, but space is still limited.
| Care Home Room | Retirement Flat | |
| Space | Usually one room | Often a living room, bedroom and kitchen |
| Furniture | Some provided; own items may be limited | Usually own furniture throughout |
| Kitchen items | Rarely needed | A reduced set of everyday items |
| Rules | Set by the home, including electrical checks | Set by the landlord or management company |
Decide What Happens to Everything Else
Once the essentials are chosen, the rest of the home still needs to be dealt with. This can take time, especially if the property is being sold. Sort belongings into four groups:
- Going to the new room or flat.
- Going to family members, including heirlooms and items with sentimental value.
- To sell or donate, such as furniture and household items in good condition.
- To store, for items the family is not ready to decide on yet.
Storage can take the pressure off. Many families find it easier to store furniture and keepsakes for a while rather than make every decision in a few weeks.
Our guide to downsizing your home has more ideas for deciding what to keep.
Practical Tasks to Arrange
Alongside the move itself, a few practical jobs are easy to forget in the rush:
- Redirect post to the new address or to a family member.
- Tell the council, utility companies and the bank about the change of address.
- Cancel or transfer subscriptions, such as newspapers, phone and television services.
- Arrange for the empty home to be checked regularly if it will be unoccupied for a while, and tell the home insurer.
- Keep copies of important documents in one folder that the family can find easily.
Making Moving Day Calm
If possible, set up the room before your relative arrives. Place the furniture, make the bed, hang a few photographs and put familiar items where they can be seen. Arriving at a room that already looks like theirs is far less unsettling than arriving at a room full of boxes. Keep the day as quiet as you can, with one or two familiar family members present.
After the Move
Visit often in the first few weeks and be ready to make small changes. A chair may need moving closer to the window, or a forgotten item may need fetching from storage. Keep a list of what went to the home, so the family knows where everything is.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I take when moving into a care home?
Familiar, comforting items such as a favourite chair, photographs, bedding and labelled clothes, within the home’s rules.
2. Can I take my own furniture into a care home?
Often some pieces, but check with the home first, as space and rules vary.
3. Do electrical items need checking?
Many care homes ask for electrical items to be safety checked before use. Ask the home what it requires.
4. What do we do with the rest of the furniture?
Share it with family, sell or donate it, or put it into storage while decisions are made.
5. Should the room be set up before my relative arrives?
Where possible, yes. A familiar, ready room makes the first day much easier.
Care Home Moves With Shaheen Express Removals
Shaheen Express Removals has been helping families across St Albans, Hertfordshire and London for more than 20 years. Our fully insured, DBS-checked team works patiently and carefully, can pack and set up a room, and offers secure storage for belongings the family is not ready to part with. We are rated 5.0 from 444 Google reviews. Find out more about our house removals service. Call +44 7903 494502 or email shaheenexpressremovals@gmail.com to talk through what your family needs.