Moving a parent (or yourself) into assisted living is one of the hardest logistical projects a family does — and almost every checklist online treats it like packing for a vacation. They don’t ask whether the resident uses a walker. They don’t ask whether the community provides linens. They don’t separate things you do eight weeks out from things you do the morning of the move. And they almost never tell you what NOT to bring, which is where most families lose money on items the community won’t allow through the door.
This tool fixes that. Answer four questions — who’s moving, when, into what kind of community, and a few notes on mobility and cognition — and it builds a personalized checklist organized by timeline (8 weeks out, 6 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 weeks, move week, first week in), by category (paperwork, medical, bedroom, bathroom, clothing, tech, first-night bag), and by need. If you tell it the community provides linens and a basic furniture package, those items drop off. If you tell it your parent has moderate dementia, an entire dementia-specific track appears with the items that actually matter: labeled photos, familiar bedding from home, a memory box outside the door, ID jewelry, comfort objects.
The four questions that make this checklist personal
The questions aren’t filler — each one removes or adds real items. Move date sets the timeline so you see only what’s due in the next two weeks first, with everything else collapsed behind a “later” toggle. Community type (assisted living, memory care, independent living, or CCRC) changes which paperwork you need and which restricted items get flagged. Mobility (independent, cane, walker, wheelchair) adds a track of grab-bar checks, transfer-friendly clothing, and bedside essentials when relevant. Cognition (intact, mild, moderate, advanced) is the most important one — it controls whether the dementia-specific section appears, whether you see the “labels and photos” subsection, and whether ID jewelry and door cues are recommended.
What to bring when moving a parent into assisted living
The packing list inside the tool covers what we’d call the “non-negotiables” — items families consistently wish they’d packed sooner:
- A two-week supply of all medications in original bottles, plus a medication list with dosages, prescribers, and pharmacy contact
- One full set of weather-appropriate clothing for seven days (most rooms have small closets — overpacking is the #1 regret)
- Familiar bedding from home, including the pillow they actually sleep on
- Photos in frames (not albums — frames go on walls and dressers and anchor the room emotionally on night one)
- A small lamp with a warm-light bulb — facility overhead lighting is harsh and clinical
- A wall clock with a large face and the date visible
- Toiletries in the brands they recognize by smell and packaging
- A power strip with surge protection (and verify the community allows it — some require UL-listed only)
- A phone or tablet pre-loaded with family contacts, photos, and one video-call app
- A “first-night bag” that travels with the resident, not in the moving truck — pajamas, toothbrush, medications, glasses, hearing aids, phone charger, two changes of clothes, and the photos
What not to bring to assisted living
This is the section most online lists skip, and it’s the one that saves families the most money and frustration. Items commonly restricted or prohibited:
- Space heaters, electric blankets, and heating pads (fire risk — almost universally banned)
- Candles, incense, oil warmers, anything with an open flame
- Toasters and toaster ovens in the bedroom (kitchenettes have their own rules)
- Large quantities of medication beyond what staff can secure
- Valuable jewelry, large amounts of cash, original passports or social security cards (keep originals with the POA)
- Firearms and ammunition
- Heavy furniture that won’t fit through doorways or elevators — measure the room AND the path to it
- Anything irreplaceable that isn’t insured
The 30-day moving checklist to assisted living, by week
The tool re-orders itself based on the move date you enter, so you only see what matters this week. Here’s the general arc:
Eight weeks out: Sign the residency agreement, confirm move-in date, schedule a doctor visit for the required physical and TB test, request medical records from current providers, and start the downsizing conversation.
Six weeks out: Measure the new room, plan a furniture layout, schedule the movers (or rent a small truck), notify the post office and update address with banks/Medicare/Social Security, and transfer prescriptions to the community pharmacy.
Four weeks out: Sort belongings into keep/family/donate/sell. Most rooms hold 25-40% of what a 2,000 sq ft home contains. Start with closets, then kitchen, then everything else.
Two weeks out: Pack non-essentials. Label every box by room location AND priority (open first / open later). Confirm with the community what they provide (bed, dresser, linens, towels, shower curtain — varies).
Move week: Pack the first-night bag separately. Confirm move-day logistics with the community (some require move-in during specific hours). Cancel or transfer utilities, cable, and home services.
First week in: Hang photos within the first 48 hours — it dramatically reduces disorientation. Introduce yourself to staff by name. Attend at least one meal and one activity together. Don’t visit every day for the first two weeks; let them build a routine.
Moving a parent with dementia into assisted living
When the cognition setting is mild, moderate, or advanced, the tool adds a dedicated dementia track. The principles behind it: continuity, labeling, and anchoring. Bring the bedspread they’ve slept under for years, even if it’s worn. Frame the photos they recognize most — typically grandchildren, a long-deceased spouse, a childhood home. Label drawer contents with both words and pictures (socks, underwear, shirts). Place a memory box on the wall outside the room door with three or four meaningful objects — a baseball glove, a piece of needlepoint, a small toolbox — these act as a wayfinding cue when the room number doesn’t register. Pack ID jewelry (a bracelet with name and “memory impairment, please call [number]”). Bring one comfort object — a blanket, a stuffed animal they’ve kept, a familiar sweater. Skip anything new. Familiar is the entire goal.
Things people forget
A separate section in the tool collects the items families consistently kick themselves over later: backup hearing aid batteries (or chargers for rechargeable models), an extra pair of glasses, denture supplies, the TV remote and its manual, the password list for tablet/streaming services, a phone charger that stays at the community (don’t move the only one back and forth), copies of the POA and healthcare directive for the community file, a small first aid kit, an extra house key for whoever’s checking on the old place, and a packet of stamps and addressed envelopes for the people they’ll want to write.
About this checklist tool
This page is part of a broader set of free planning tools at 101planners.com — see also the general moving checklist, the downsizing checklist, and the elder care planning resources. Everything saves to your browser automatically, so you can close the tab and come back. Export as PDF, Word document, or print directly. No account, no email needed to download.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I start packing for assisted living?
Eight weeks is ideal, six weeks is workable, four weeks is tight but doable, and anything under two weeks means cutting corners — usually on downsizing. The biggest time sink isn’t packing; it’s sorting through a lifetime of belongings to fit a single room. Start the keep/donate/family conversation as early as possible, even before the move date is firm.
What should be in the first-night bag for assisted living move-in?
The first-night bag travels with the resident, not in the moving truck. It should contain: all medications in their original bottles, glasses, hearing aids and batteries, a phone and charger, two changes of clothes, pajamas, basic toiletries, a familiar pillow if there’s room, two or three framed photos, a list of family phone numbers on paper, and any comfort items (a specific blanket, a stuffed animal, a worn cardigan). The goal: if the moving truck arrived late or boxes got lost, the first night still works.
What furniture does assisted living typically provide?
This varies widely and is the single most important thing to confirm before you pack a moving truck. Most communities provide at minimum a bed frame, mattress, and a dresser. Some include a small table, a chair, a nightstand, and basic linens and towels. Memory care almost always includes more (sometimes all furniture, since residents can’t safely move heavy items). Independent living usually includes nothing — you furnish it like an apartment. Get a written list from the community before move date.
Can my parent bring their own bed?
Usually yes in assisted living and independent living, but check ceiling-height and room-size limits — a king bed won’t fit in most rooms and will block walking paths. In memory care, communities often require an adjustable hospital-style bed or their own beds with safety features. If your parent has back issues or sleep apnea equipment, bringing their own bed is often worth the moving fee.
What’s the difference between assisted living and memory care for packing purposes?
Memory care is more restricted: no plug-in appliances in the room (no space heaters, no toasters, sometimes no electric kettles), no medications kept in the room (all secured by staff), no breakable mirrors or glass picture frames in some communities, no scissors or sharp objects in the room. The plus side: memory care usually provides more furniture, all linens, and full housekeeping. Always confirm the specific community’s restricted-items list — it’s a document they should hand you with the residency agreement.
Can a resident bring their own furniture?
Yes, but measure twice. Measure the room, measure the doorway, measure the elevator, and measure the path from the loading dock to the room. The most common moving-day failure is a beloved armoire that won’t fit through the door. Bring small, meaningful pieces — a favorite chair, a side table from the living room, a piece of art — rather than trying to recreate the bedroom they came from.
What documents do I need for the move-in day?
The community will ask for: a recent physical (usually within 30 days), a current medication list with prescribers, a TB test or chest X-ray, copies of insurance cards (Medicare, supplemental, Part D, long-term care if applicable), a copy of the POA (financial) and healthcare proxy, a copy of the residency agreement signed by all parties, and emergency contact information. Bring two copies of everything — one for the community file, one for the resident’s records.
Should I visit my parent every day during the first week?
No. The standard guidance from social workers and admissions directors is to step back for the first two weeks so the resident can build a routine, learn names, and adjust to the rhythm of the community. Visiting daily — especially if you’re emotional — can make adjustment harder, not easier. Plan one visit in the first 48 hours to help with photos and unpacking, then space visits out. Many communities specifically discourage daily visits in the first two weeks of memory care placement.
How do I downsize a parent’s belongings for assisted living?
Work in passes, not all at once. First pass: obvious keep (clothing they wear, medications, important papers, a few favorite books and photos). Second pass: family heirlooms and items children or grandchildren want — invite them to take pieces. Third pass: donate items in good condition. Fourth pass: sell or estate-sale anything of value. Last pass: discard. Expect to keep 25-40% of a typical home’s contents. Start with closets (easiest emotionally), then kitchen, then living areas, then bedrooms last.
Is there a printable PDF version of this checklist?
Yes. After you answer the four setup questions and the personalized list builds, click the PDF button at the top of the checklist. The PDF prints cleanly by category, with checkboxes you can fill in by hand. There’s also a Word download if you want to edit it, and a Print option for direct printing. Nothing is emailed and no account is required.
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