The transition into a senior living community is one that comes with many different emotions. One part most people find overwhelming is packing. When moving into a senior living community or apartment, you are likely downsizing which can make deciding what to bring and what to leave behind difficult.
To help get you started, we’ve put together this packing guide. We also offer compassionate and capable two-person insured crews who can help with the heavy lifting, careful maneuvering and time-sensitive parts of your senior living move.
Packing Tips for a Senior Living Move
The exact items you bring will depend greatly on what the space allows, the features and offerings of your new community and your personal preferences. But a good starting point is to cover your practical essentials along with things that provide daily comfort and a few items with personal meaning.
Before You Pack
Measure your new space: Get a floor plan or take your own measurements so you’ll know ahead of time what will and won’t fit. Leave enough room around furniture and other items for easy movement.
Arrange help: Whether you enlist family or friends to assist or hire movers who specialize in downsizing and senior transitions, moving and packing are physically demanding jobs that require help.
Get rid of unneeded items: Packing up your entire life to move is overwhelming. The more you can declutter before you pack, the easier it will be. Start early and begin by gifting, donating and discarding things you no longer need.
Find out what you can’t bring: Some apartments and communities may provide certain furnishings or appliances, while other items and supplies may not be allowed. Check what’s already provided for you and what you won’t be permitted to bring before you start packing.
While You Pack
Label everything: Use sturdy packing boxes and label each one with your name, apartment number and the room they belong in.
Make a first-night bag: This is a bag with just the items you will need right away your first night and it should include things like your medications, basic toiletries, pajamas and maybe a book or something to keep you entertained before bed.
What to Pack
Furniture: Bed, nightstand, small table or desk, comfortable chair or recliner, dresser and a bookshelf or display cabinet
Kitchen: Microwave, small fridge, a few dishes and glasses (not a full set), cutlery, a couple pots and pans, coffeemaker, potholder
Bedding: 2 sets of sheets, mattress pad, pillows, a quilt or comforter
Clothing: A week’s worth of comfortable outfits with layers for each season, one or two dressier options with a few smart accessories, outerwear, footwear, pajamas, swimwear and enough socks and underwear
Bathroom: Towels, washcloths, bathrobe, toiletries, soap dish and shower caddy
Entertainment: Television, music system, books, computer or tablet, puzzles and hobby supplies
Personal Items: Medications, medical, legal and financial paperwork, alarm clock, wall décor, framed photos, lamps, holiday decorations, throw blanket
Cleaning Supplies: Dish soap and towels, laundry basket and detergent, window and surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, trash can, dusting rags
What Not to Pack
Oversized furniture: large sofas, dining sets, entertainment centers or extra bedroom sets
Duplicate items: one or two sets of towels, sheets and dinnerware is generally enough
Tripping hazards: area rugs, decorative items that sit on the floor or glass-top tables
Valuables: Expensive or seldom worn jewelry, collectables or heirloom items
Boxes of stored items: Excessive seasonal decor, paperwork or photos that can be digitalized
Make Moving Feel Lighter with a Couple More Guys™
Moving is emotional as well as physically demanding. Let a Couple More Guys™ help make the whole process easier, faster and safer. Our two-person insured crews can handle the heavy lifting and careful maneuvering of your items, giving you and your family more time to focus on the big moments instead of the big boxes. Whether you’re downsizing, moving into a senior living apartment, or shifting from independent living to assisted living, we can help sort, load, move, assemble, donate and arrange. Schedule a crew today to help with your senior living transition.