What to Bring When Moving into a Care Home

One of the most common questions we are asked when moving into one of our homes is: ‘what do I need to bring?’

Making the move into a care home can be an unsettling prospect, especially if moving from a house you’ve lived in for most of your life.

The reasons for moving into a residential care home can differ from person to person but choosing what to bring is something every resident will need to do. Inevitably, this is likely to be an emotional experience. At Mansfield Care Group, we are here to help and today would like to provide you with our checklist of things to bring with you when moving into your new home.

Before Moving into a Residential Care Home

Firstly, moving into a care home is a huge change and feeling overwhelmed is natural. Speak to relatives and loved ones and involve them in the process to ensure you don’t feel isolated. Remember to also focus on the benefits of living in care – the freedom, the activities, and the opportunities for socialising to name few!

Finding the right care home for you is crucial to ensure you receive the best possible care & can settle in seamlessly. If you are considering a move to a care home, consider the many care homes in Scotland available at Mansfield Care Group

Visit Your Future Room First

Visiting your room before your moving in date allows you to get a feel for how much space you’ll have and can make the move feel less daunting. You may have preconceived ideas of what life at a care home entails; if so, this visit will play a big part in easing any potential concerns. During this visit, evaluate how you may arrange and decorate the room, plan where you’d like pieces of furniture, and consider the general layout you are looking for. Be sure to bring relatives along to help! Also, ensure to pay attention to the facilities, the surroundings, the staff, and the food available. Decorating your room similarly to your home can help you settle in and feel at home which will ease the transition.

What’s Provided, & What to Bring

When choosing a care home, understanding what is included in the fees is very important. For example, Mansfield Care homes include essentials like storage furniture, bed linens, and other basics as standard. Get in touch with us today to discuss the full extent of what is included in the fees at our range of Scottish care homes. This will help you to identify what you need, and from there you can choose what else you’d like to bring to make you feel truly at home.

Your Packing Checklist

Below is our list of suggestions to help you pack for your new home:

Clothing

We recommend packing enough clothing for two weeks. A variety of clothing is key and you should bring outfits for day and nighttime, social activities, and care-home-led events. Ensure clothes are comfortable, easy to take on and off, and can withstand frequent washing and drying. For example:

• Tops/T-Shirts
• Trousers
• Skirts/Dresses
• Party/Event Wear
• Coats for the colder winter months
• Night Clothes
• Dressing Gown
• Socks & Underwear
• Slippers/Indoor Shoes
• At least 2 Pairs of Shoes
• Active Wear
• Accessories: hats, scarves, purses

Toiletries & Personal Essentials

Bringing familiar toiletries and personal care products you enjoy using is a great way to retain some of the familiarity of home and aid the settling-in process. These will also be accounted for in your care plan and your carers will familiarise themselves with your preferred toiletries. There’s no need to worry about bringing any medication, as this will all be provided by the care home. Consider:

• Soap
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Perfume
• Body Lotion
• Moisturiser
• Shaving Equipment
• Hairbrush/Comb/Styling Products (Pins, Clips)

Bedding

Mansfield care homes provide bedding, but if yours from home is what feels most comfortable then there’s nothing to stop you bringing things such as:

• Blanket
• Quilt
• Throw
• Small Lap Blanket
• Pillows, Pillowcases

Electronic Devices 

There’s no escaping the ever more connected digital world! That aside, electronic devices are a great way to keep in touch with your relatives and loved ones, as well as providing entertainment for you in your room. Some of the things you may want to consider bringing are:

• TV (if not provided) with remote
• Radio
• Tablet
• Mobile Phone
• Laptop
• DVD Player
• Extension Cord
• Headphones

Furniture

Although Mansfield Care provide furnishing within bedrooms, you are more than welcome to bring your own furniture. Furniture is one of the main things that makes a place feel like home and allows you to add your own personal touch. Bringing your own furniture can feel like a big task – but it’s one of the best ways to make your room feel truly yours, especially if you own pieces that carry a sentimental value. You could bring items such as:

• Lounge Chair
• Desk
• Wardrobe
• Chest of Drawers
• Nightstand
• Bookshelf
• Lamp

Personal Touches & Decorations

Giving your room a personal, homely touch can help you settle in quicker and make your living space feel familiar. Personal items can help you reminisce, and act as great conversation starters to kickstart relationships with care home staff and fellow residents. These may include:

• Paintings
• Photographs
• Photo Albums
• Ornaments
• Books
• Films
• Magazines
• Hobbies – games, knitting, crosswords

What to Do With the Things That are Left

In a care home, your personal space is likely to be more limited than in your old house. This means some downsizing of your possessions may be needed. However, this doesn’t mean you need to throw everything away! Leftover belongings that you can’t take with you could be placed into storage or given to relatives or those you trust for safekeeping. If you have items that you no longer need, why not consider donating them to a local charity?

Care That Feels Like Home

At Mansfield Care Group, our passion for care is rooted in empathy, kindness and understanding. We treat every resident with respect and dignity, focusing on their unique needs so they feel valued, heard, and truly cared for.

Many people find that receiving tailored care gives them a new lease of life. In the safety and comfort of a care home, you’ll feel supported to make new friends, enjoy activities, and try new hobbies. If a care home sounds like the right move for you, or your loved one, find your nearest home today, and discover the care and lifestyle we provide at Mansfield Care Group.