TOP 10 Must Haves for Move In Day

1. For those residents receiving medication assistance, bring medication orders signed by a physician. These orders should include any over-the-counter medications. Usually the community will provide a form to use when filling this out. Bring all medications making sure they are labeled, reflect the instructions on the medication orders, and are in the original containers.

2. Bring a copy of any Power Of Attorney, Guardianship and/or Living Will documents. Keep the originals in your files.

3. Bring a list of all emergency contacts and their information to be kept in the office.
This information is useful for emergency care. List the people in the order of importance in an emergency situation.

4. Ask the community about personal items that they do not provide – such as towels, pillows, or blankets.  Many senior communities provide a list of recommended personal items to bring on move in day.

5. Have comfort food in the resident’s room if permitted.  Keep favorite snacks and drinks stocked for easy access.  Many communities will allow a personal refrigerator in the residents’ rooms to keep food fresh. If a senior communities offers meal services, they will also ask new residents to specify their food preferences.

6. A television, a radio, and/or books, magazines, DVDs and CDs for the residents’ room provide meaningful diversions. These items keep a person up-to-date with their world and reflect a resident’s personal interests.  Many communities also have a common area with these items available for resident use.

7. Pictures, whether in frames, albums or both, surround the resident with familiar faces to provide constant reassurance. Pictures of family, friends and important life events offer talking points as a resident meets new friends and staff.

8. Clothing labels and/or a labeling marker for clothing will minimize mishaps if laundry services are being provided by the senior community. Label all clothing and personal bedding and towels that are brought into the new residence. Keep some extra labels handy in the closet or dresser for those spur-of-the moment purchases and gifts.

9. Writing supplies, including paper, pens or pencils and an updated address book will be helpful for times when a resident wants to keep up with correspondence. Having these items handy will give them the tools to update friends and families with their new address, jot down something important about their new home, and keep a list of things they might need on your next visit. Staff will also be willing to write letters or lists for residents who need assistance with these tasks.

10. An inventory list of all personal items brought into the resident’s accommodations is helpful to prevent any future misunderstandings. Make sure the facility manager has a copy of this list on file.

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