Moving to Assisted Living Checklist
Moving to assisted living is a huge deal. It’s not just packing boxes and getting a new address — it’s starting a whole new chapter. One that brings help when you need it, new friends, and way less stress about daily stuff. But let’s be real: the whole process can feel pretty overwhelming. What do you pack? What stays? How do you deal with all the paperwork? What about the emotional side of leaving home?
Here’s something that might help: There are more than 1,000,000 Americans residing in assisted living, and every single one of them went through this same move. With the right plan and a solid checklist, you can make this transition way smoother.
This guide walks you through everything about moving to assisted living — from the very first planning steps to settling in and making the new place feel like home. Whether you’re helping a parent or planning for yourself, these tips will keep you organized and cut down on stress.
What Assisted Living Actually Is
Before we get into the checklist, let’s talk about what assisted living really means.
Assisted living communities are for people who need some help with daily stuff but don’t need full-time medical care. Residents live in their own apartments or rooms and get support with things like:
- Taking medications on time
- Bathing and getting dressed
- Making meals
- Cleaning and laundry
- Getting to doctor appointments
The typical assisted living resident is 84 years old, and about 70% are women. Most people stay for about 22 months before their needs change. The cost? Around $5,676 per month nationally in 2025, but it varies a lot depending on where you live and how much care you need.
What makes it different from a nursing home? Independence.
You have your own space, the freedom to choose activities, and full control over how you spend your day.
It’s still home — just with help nearby when you need it.
Starting Early: 3-6 Months Before Moving
The sooner you start planning, the less crazy everything feels. Here’s what to do when you’ve got a few months to work with.
Pick the Right Place
Visit a bunch of communities in person. Don’t just look at websites. Eat a meal there. Talk to people who already live there. Ask a million questions. How many staff members are there? What fun stuff do they do? Can you see the actual apartment you’d be moving into?
Find a place that fits the person who’ll be living there. Someone who loves reading alone all day needs a different vibe than someone who wants group activities every afternoon.
Planning ahead makes the entire process manageable, and these senior-specific moving strategies can help ensure nothing gets overlooked during this important transition.
Figure Out the Money Stuff
Assisted living isn’t cheap. You need to know how you’ll pay for it. Options include:
- Savings and retirement money
- Long-term care insurance
- Veterans benefits
- Medicaid (depends on your state)
Talk to a financial advisor if you need help. Make sure you know what’s included in that monthly bill and what costs extra.
Handle the Medical Paperwork
Most places require a physical exam and medical records. Make an appointment with the doctor and have them fill out whatever forms the community needs. This usually means:
- Current health info
- Every medication and how much to take
- Special diet needs
- Mobility issues
- Memory and thinking assessment
Get copies of all medical records. You’ll need them for the new place and maybe for new doctors if you’re changing areas.
Your Moving to Assisted Living Checklist: 2-3 Months Out
Time to get into the real details. This moving to assisted living checklist keeps you organized as the date gets closer.
Get Professional Movers
This is not the time for renting a U-Haul and doing it yourself. Hire movers who’ve done senior moves before. They get the emotional stuff and know how to handle breakable things and small spaces.
Ask the assisted living place for recommendations. They usually work with certain moving companies who already know the building and the rules.
Get prices from at least three companies. Make sure they’re licensed and insured. Ask them specifically about:
- Moving into assisted living places
- Dealing with medical equipment
- Working within time limits (lots of facilities have specific move-in times)
- Taking apart and putting back together furniture
Measure Everything
Get the exact size of the new apartment. Measure doorways, hallways, and rooms. Then measure all the furniture you’re thinking about bringing.
That king-size bed might be beautiful, but if it won’t fit through the door, it’s staying behind. Better to know now than on moving day.
Start Getting Rid of Stuff
This is the tough part. Going from a house to a smaller apartment means letting go of a ton of stuff.
Start with the easy stuff. Old magazines, broken things, kitchen gadgets you never use — toss them. Then move to the harder choices about furniture and things that mean something to you.
Make four piles:
- Definitely bringing this
- Giving to family
- Donate or sell
- Trash
If you’re not ready to part with certain items but they won’t fit in the new apartment, temporary storage solutions can give you time to decide what to do with them.
Be honest with yourself. If there’s no room for it and you won’t use it, it probably shouldn’t come.
Fix Legal and Money Documents
Update important papers with the new address:
- Will and estate stuff
- Power of attorney
- Healthcare directives
- Bank accounts
- Insurance
- Social Security and Medicare
Make copies of everything. Keep one set with you, give one to a family member you trust, and give copies to the assisted living place if they need them.
1 Month Before: Final Details
You’re almost there. Time for the last-minute stuff.
Set Up Medical Care
If you’re moving to a new area, find new doctors. Ask your current doctor for names. Schedule appointments for after the move so there’s no gap in care.
Figure out how medications work. Some communities have their own pharmacy. Others let you bring your own pill bottles. Know which one your place uses and get it set up ahead of time.
Deal With Utilities and Mail
Call the utility companies at your current home and tell them when to shut everything off. Most assisted living places include utilities in the monthly cost, but double-check.
Set up mail forwarding at the post office. Update your address with:
- Credit cards
- Any subscriptions
- The DMV
- Voter registration
- Regular delivery services
Decide What to Bring
Every assisted living place has rules about what you can and can’t bring. Common rules include:
- No candles (fire risk)
- No throw rugs (people trip on them)
- No cooking stuff in your room
- No space heaters
- You can’t nail stuff into walls in some places
Bring stuff that makes you feel comfortable and connected:
- Favorite chair or small couch
- Family photos and pictures
- Books you love (but not the whole library)
- Comfy bedding
- Clothes for the current season (swap later)
- Shampoo, soap, all that stuff
- A few decorations that feel like home
Leave behind big furniture, huge collections, most kitchen items (they make meals for you), and things that won’t fit or won’t get used.
Moving Day: Making It Smooth
The big day is here. Having a plan makes everything easier.
Get an Early Start
Start first thing in the morning. This gives you the whole day to move stuff, unpack, and get settled before bedtime.
Pack an Essentials Box
Put everything you need for the first day in one box:
- Medications
- Toothbrush, soap, all that stuff
- Clean clothes
- Phone chargers
- Important papers
- Snacks and water
- Comfort stuff (favorite blanket, photos)
Keep this box with you. Don’t let it go on the truck.
Set Up the Bedroom First
Make the bed right away. Having a comfy place to crash at the end of the day makes everything better.
Unpack clothes and put them away. This makes it feel more like home immediately.
Take Lots of Breaks
Moving day is exhausting, especially for older people. Take breaks all the time. Sit down, drink water, rest. You don’t have to do everything at once.
Meet Everyone
Introduce yourself to the staff. They’re there to help. Learn their names and how to reach them.
If neighbors come by to say hi, chat with them for a few minutes. Making friends from day one helps with the whole adjustment thing.
After Moving: Getting Comfortable
The boxes are unpacked, but you’re not done yet. Here’s how to make the new place really feel like home.
Give It Time
Expect things to feel weird at first. Feeling homesick or unsure is totally normal. Most people need at least a few weeks to start feeling comfortable.
Visit a lot in the first few weeks. Having familiar faces around helps.
Try the Activities
Go to activities and events. Even if they’re not usually your thing, try a few. Making friends makes a huge difference in how happy people are at assisted living.
Eat in the dining room instead of alone in the apartment. This helps you meet other people who live there.
Keep Your Routine
Do as many of the same things as possible. If morning coffee while reading the paper was part of the old routine, keep doing it in the new place.
If you had weekly phone calls with family, keep that schedule. Familiar stuff provides comfort when everything else is new.
Don’t Cut Ties With the Outside
Just because someone moved to assisted living doesn’t mean they stop doing everything they used to do. Keep up with:
- Church or temple
- Volunteering
- Clubs
- Friends who don’t live there
Many assisted living places have buses that take people to appointments and activities.
The Emotional Side of Letting Go
Let’s talk about how hard it is to get rid of stuff.
Going from a full house to a small apartment means saying goodbye to a lot of things. This isn’t just about furniture and dishes — it’s about memories and years of life.
Take Pictures
Can’t bring the china cabinet? Take photos of it and the special dishes inside. Make an album of the stuff you can’t bring. You keep the memories without needing the space.
Give Things to Family
Let family members pick what they want. This keeps things in the family and gives them new life with people who’ll love them.
Have everyone over and let them choose. Share stories about the items. This turns getting rid of stuff into a celebration.
Donate to Good Places
Pick donation spots that matter to you. Church groups, local charities, veterans organizations — knowing your stuff will help others makes letting go easier.
Bring What Matters Most
You can’t bring everything, but you can bring some things. Pick the stuff that makes you happiest. Maybe it’s a favorite chair, a special painting, or a collection you love looking at.
Getting Good Movers
The right moving company makes this whole thing way easier.
What to Look For
Pick movers who:
- Have done senior moves before
- Understand assisted living rules
- Are patient and nice
- Can work with your schedule
- Will pack and unpack for you
Many families find that comprehensive moving services take the burden off seniors and their loved ones during an already emotional time.
Questions to Ask
Before hiring anyone, ask:
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Have you moved people into this exact place before?
- Can you give me phone numbers of other people you’ve helped?
- What’s in the price? What costs extra?
- How do you handle breakable or expensive stuff?
- Can you help arrange furniture in the new apartment?
What U & Me Moving Can Do
U & Me Moving and Storage has been helping families in Southeast Florida since 1923 — that’s over 100 years! Our team gets that moving to assisted living is about way more than just moving boxes. We treat every senior move with extra care, patience, and respect.
We work with assisted living places all over Palm Beach County and know exactly what each one requires. Our crews can help with everything from careful packing to setting up the new apartment so it feels like home right away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Assisted Living
What should I definitely bring to assisted living?
Bring stuff that keeps you comfortable and independent. That means clothes for all seasons, your soap and shampoo, medications, important papers, a few pieces of furniture that fit, and sentimental stuff like family photos. Most places make meals for you, so you don’t need much kitchen stuff. Ask your specific community what’s allowed and what they already have in the apartment.
How long does it take to feel at home?
Most people need 4-8 weeks to start feeling comfortable in assisted living. The first few weeks usually feel strange and weird — that’s completely normal. Visits from family, joining activities, and keeping familiar routines all help you adjust faster. Some people get used to it quickly while others need more time. Be patient and let yourself feel however you feel about the change.
Can I bring my own furniture?
Yep, most assisted living places want you to bring your own furniture so it feels like home. But there are size limits since apartments are smaller than houses. Get the exact measurements of the new apartment and measure your furniture carefully. Most people bring a bed, comfy chair, small dresser, and a few decorations. The community can tell you what fits before you move.
How much does the actual move cost?
Moving costs usually run $800 to $2,500, depending on how much stuff you have and how far you’re going. This covers the professional movers, boxes and packing stuff, and transportation. On top of that, the assisted living place itself costs around $5,676 per month nationally in 2025, though this changes a lot based on where you live and how much care you need. Plan for both the one-time moving cost and the monthly bills.
What happens to my house after I move?
You’ve got options. Lots of families sell the house to help pay for assisted living. Some rent it out for extra money. Others keep it in the family for kids or grandkids. You don’t have to decide right away — the house can sit empty for a few months while everyone adjusts. But remember, keeping an empty house means you’re still paying for maintenance, utilities, insurance, and taxes. Think about what makes the most sense money-wise and emotionally.
Do I have to sort through everything before moving?
Yes, downsizing is necessary because assisted living apartments are way smaller than most houses. Start sorting at least 2-3 months before the move. Go through each room and decide what’s essential, what means something to you, and what can be donated or tossed. This takes way longer than people expect, especially when you’ve lived somewhere for decades. Think about hiring a senior move manager if it feels like too much. They can help make decisions and handle donations and sales.
Can my family visit whenever they want?
Most assisted living places welcome family visits and have pretty flexible hours. Some let people visit 24/7, while others have quiet hours early morning or late at night. Families can usually eat meals there, join activities, and just hang out together. A lot of communities have common areas that are perfect for visits, and you can also visit in the resident’s private apartment. Check your specific community’s rules, but generally, they want families to be involved.
How do medications work after moving?
It depends on the community’s system. Some places use their own pharmacy and their nurses handle all medications. Others let residents bring their own prescriptions and take them themselves if they’re able. Before moving, ask your community which way they do it. If they have their own pharmacy, your doctor needs to send prescriptions there. If you’re bringing your own, fill everything before moving and bring them in the original bottles with clear labels. The nurses will check everything on move-in day to make sure they understand what you take and when.
Ready to Make Your Move?
Moving to assisted living is a big life change, but it doesn’t have to be super stressful. With good planning, the right help, and a clear checklist, you can make this transition way smoother.
Here’s what to do:
- Start planning at least 3-6 months early
- Visit multiple places before deciding
- Begin getting rid of stuff early, one room at a time
- Hire movers who’ve done senior moves before
- Bring stuff that makes you comfortable and keeps your routines
- Give yourself or your loved one time to adjust
This change might feel scary at first, but it often leads to a better life with the right support, new friends, and no more worrying about house maintenance.
U & Me Moving and Storage is here to make your move to assisted living as easy as possible. With over 100 years of helping families in Southeast Florida, we understand what senior moves need. Our caring team treats every move with patience and respect — because we know this isn’t just about moving furniture. It’s about helping you or your loved one start a new chapter with comfort and dignity.
Ready to plan your move to assisted living?
Contact U & Me Moving and Storage today for a free quote. Let us handle the hard stuff so you can focus on what really matters — helping your loved one settle into their new home and community.
Your next chapter is waiting. Let’s make getting there as easy as possible.