A lot of work goes into selecting a community, downsizing for senior living, and packing your belongings. It’s easy to get caught up in making sure the planning process goes well, but the actual move-in day deserves just as much attention. There are things you can do to feel calmer, reduce emotional overwhelm, and make sure the day goes smoothly for you and your loved one. Here are some moving day tips to help you and your family reduce move-in-day chaos so you can spend the first day feeling comfortable and confident in your new home.
A typical senior living moving day process
A lot happens on move-in day. It’s helpful to be aware of the process so you can mentally prepare for each step.
The typical move-in day process involves:
- Check-in: Before you unload the first box, you will check in at the front desk or with a representative from the senior living community. They will sign you in, make sure they have your correct information on file, and answer any questions you have.
- Meet staff members: You will likely meet a few important people on move-in day. They will include admissions staff, nursing staff, resident assistants, and others you or your loved one is likely to interact with on a daily basis.
- Apartment walk-through: A member of the staff will walk you through the apartment to make sure it’s clean and functional. You can ask questions about furniture placement and get an idea of where to place boxes, like along a wall or in a corner.
- Paperwork and medication review: Staff will go over the paperwork, if you haven’t done so already, and review important medication information to make sure everything is accurate.
- Unloading your belongings: The bulk of the day will likely be spent unloading your belongings. Staff members will still be available to answer your questions or provide assistance if needed.
Moving day tips for a smooth start
Getting off on the right foot can set the tone for the entire moving day. Here are a few quick tips to make sure you get off to a smooth start:
- Confirm your arrival time and be punctual. It can be frustrating to wait if you arrive too early, and arriving late can make you feel rushed and disrupt the facility’s schedule.
- Keep important documents accessible. Keep your or your loved one’s ID, medication lists, medical history, community paperwork, legal documents, and financial records in a folder or binder so you can access them quickly on move-in day.
- Keep medications separate from other belongings. Place them in their own bag and put them in an easily accessible spot before you start moving boxes so you, your loved one, and staff know where to find them.
Unloading your items
Before you unload, ask the admissions staff or another staff member at the senior living facility if there are any hand trucks or moving dollies you can use. They may also be able to recommend a better place to park the moving truck or offer other tips to make moving in easier.
The process should unfold as follows:
- Because furniture is typically packed into a moving truck first, you should find a place to stage the boxes without unpacking them right away. Place them in a spare room, along an unused wall, or in a corner.
- Set up the bed so you don’t have to put it together at the end of the day when you’re tired. You should also place at least one chair in the space right away so there is a place to rest.
- Unload and position furniture. Consider asking a member of the staff if they can help set up the furniture. They can help position bulky items and provide recommendations on where to put things.
- Move boxes to their corresponding rooms so that items can be easily unpacked and put away in one room before unpacking the next.
Moving day tips for unpacking your belongings
Once the furniture is in place, you should unpack your belongings in order of importance. This ensures that you tackle the most important items at the beginning of the day when you and your loved one have the most energy. Focus on function and familiarity first and decorating second.
Here is a list of items you should prioritize:
| Moving day priority | Why it matters |
| Bathroom items, including toilet paper, hand soap, toothpaste, towels, denture supplies, and any other personal items that will be needed within the first 24 hours. | You are able to use the bathroom, wash your hands, and maintain your normal self-care routine. |
| Medication, including pill organizers, accessories, and anything else that makes taking medicine easier. | You or your loved one is able to take the correct dosages of all medications on time, even on move-in day. |
| Bedding, including sheets, pillows, comforters, positioning aids, and other items that are used at night. | You’re able to rest as soon as you need to without scrambling to put the bed together at the end of the day. |
| Phone chargers and technology, including tablets, laptops, and TVs. | You can make sure cell phones and tablets are fully charged and that everything is plugged in and set up properly. |
| Kitchen essentials like a favorite mug or glass, a coffeemaker, plates, utensils, and snacks. | You can make a cup of coffee, fill a glass of water, or grab a snack throughout the day. |
| Comfortable clothing like pajamas, a sweater if it gets cold, slippers, and clothing for the next day. | You can remain comfortable on move-in day, change into pajamas in the evening, and get ready for the next day without digging through boxes. |
After you have taken care of the essentials, you can make your senior living apartment feel like home by focusing on the decor. Things like throw blankets, pictures, and knick-knacks can be unpacked the day of, but if you or your loved one is getting tired, you can wait to unpack these items until the next day.
Help your parent meet the staff and learn about the community
Although it may be tempting to stay in the apartment and get as much unpacking done as you can, it’s helpful to take a break to meet staff and learn about the community. It is especially helpful for adult children to accompany a parent. Not only does this reduce stress, but it also enables you and other family members to get to know the community better, too.
Here are a few ways to meet staff and learn about the community:
- Walk through dining and activity areas and introduce yourself and your loved one to the people you meet.
- Find a daily schedule and talk about when your loved one can come down to the dining room for meals.
- Find a schedule of upcoming activities and see what your loved one might like to try.
- Find the people you and your loved one can contact with any questions.
A simple senior living moving day checklist
Here’s a simple checklist you can use to make sure you’re on track on move-in day:
☐ 1. Double-check your arrival time and be punctual to start the day off on the right foot.
☐ 2. Check in with the front desk to start the moving day process.
☐ 3. Unload your items and stage boxes so you can position furniture first.
☐ 4. Unpack your belongings, prioritizing functional and familiar items before decorations.
☐ 5. Walk through common areas with your loved one and meet staff and other community members.
