Moving into an assisted living community in Oregon can be a significant transition for seniors and their families, requiring careful planning and organization. From notifying creditors to packing essential items, there are several crucial steps to consider before the move.
Following a comprehensive checklist can help streamline the process and ensure a smooth and comfortable transition for your loved one.
Preparing for the Transition
Notifying Creditors and Subscription Services
Before moving to an assisted living community, it’s important to update your financial contacts with your new address. Start by listing all the creditors and subscription services you currently use. This includes credit card companies, loan providers, magazine subscriptions, and online services. Reach out to each one to inform them of the address change. Some organizations may allow you to update your information online, while others may require a phone call or a written notice.
Ensure that you also notify utility companies and arrange for services to be discontinued or transferred on the move date. It’s equally important to update your address with the post office to redirect your mail. Taking care of these details helps prevent missed payments or service interruptions and secures your personal information.
Taking Care of Prescriptions and Pharmacy Arrangements
Addressing medication management is crucial when transitioning to assisted living. Compile a list of medicines with dosages and consult with healthcare providers about any changes needed. Transfer prescriptions to a nearby pharmacy or switching to your assisted living’s in-house pharmacy option may be the easiest for you.
Within Oregon, it is mandatory for medications in assisted living communities to be bubble-wrapped for safety. Be sure to discuss this with the staff at the assisted living community to understand how best to prepare your medications for the move.
At Arcadia, we recommend that incoming residents bring their existing supply of medications, and we encourage consulting with their doctor prior to the move to ensure a fresh supply of prescriptions is ready upon their arrival.
Canceling Newspaper Deliveries
Before relocating to assisted living, remember to cancel or transfer your newspaper subscription, like the Oregonian Newspaper, to prevent security concerns from uncollected papers. Contact the service provider to update your subscription or switch to the new address, as many communities such as Arcadia, offer newspaper access. Aim to arrange the cancellation or transfer to conclude a couple of days prior to your move.
Packing Essentials and Settling Bills
Packing Necessary Items and Daily Essentials
When preparing for the move to assisted living, it’s important to focus on packing items that are necessary for daily life. Start by creating a checklist of essentials such as clothing, toiletries, and personal care items. Remember to include comfortable clothing suited for the activities and weather.
Pack a separate bag with items you’ll need for the first few days, similar to packing for a short trip. This should include medications, glasses, hearing aids with batteries, favorite books, and a few changes of clothes. Also, consider the space available in the new living quarters and pack accordingly. Many assisted living communities furnish rooms with basic items, so there may be no need for cookware or large pieces of furniture.
Ensure that you have a clear labeling system for your boxes to make unpacking easier. Color-coding or numbering the boxes according to room or item category can be very helpful.
Bonus tip: Finding a way to iron on or tag clothing with initials will save you a lot of headaches when clothes inevitably get moved around the community.
Finally, keep a list of emergency contacts and important documents readily accessible throughout the move.
Settling All Outstanding Bills and Returning Library Books
Before relocating to assisted living, ensure all bills are settled and recurring charges are halted or updated. Scour bank statements for missed payments and tweak any autopay settings.
Remember to return borrowed items like library books or DVD, and consider gifting items unnecessary for the new living environment. Resolving these commitments eliminates potential fines and frees you to concentrate on your new chapter with peace of mind.
Confirming Arrangements with Movers
As packing nears completion, touch base with your movers to verify move details, special care for delicate items, and access routes. Confirm the pick-up and drop-off addresses and discuss the assisted living community’s layout for a hassle-free move.
Enlist friends or family as your moving team, delegating tasks to optimize the process—decide who’ll load the truck, conduct the final house check, and manage transportation.
Create a brief inventory of your belongings to track as they’re moved, ensuring all items are accounted for. A solid plan with your movers or team will reduce moving day stress and contribute to a seamless relocation.
Move-in Day Checklist
Last Minute Packing: Plants, Toiletries and Pet Supplies
On move-in day, there are a few last-minute items to pack that you’ll want to have immediate access to upon arriving at the assisted living communitiy. Plants can make the new space feel more like home, so pack these carefully to prevent damage during transport. Toiletries are essential for daily hygiene and should be readily available, so pack a small bag with items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo.
If your loved one has a pet, don’t forget to pack their food, bowls, leash, bedding, and any toys to help them settle into their new surroundings. Having familiar items can help pets adjust more quickly to a new environment, which in turn can make the transition easier for your loved one.
These personal touches are important for comfort and establishing a sense of normalcy as your loved one starts this new chapter in their life.
Ensuring Proper Packing with the Moving Company
On moving day, it’s imperative to supervise the movers and ensure everything is securely packed. It is a smart idea to appoint a trusted individual to be on-site to direct the movers and answer their questions, safeguarding the careful handling of your belongings.
Keeping Track of Paperwork
Amid the activity of move-in day to your new assisted living community, ensuring important paperwork is organized and readily available is essential. Contracts, receipts, personal identification, healthcare directives and medical records should be kept in a clearly labeled folder or binder for quick retrieval.
Maintaining an organized record of your documents is key to navigating the financial aspects of your move smoothly and with confidence, allowing for a more peaceful transition to assisted living. We recommend that you appoint a trusted friend or family to keep a copy of all these documents if possible.
Confirming Arrival Time of Possessions
Ensure a well-coordinated arrival of your items at the assisted living community by confirming delivery timings with your movers in advance, and aligning these plans with the reception hours of the community. Supply all parties with a contact number to handle last-minute coordination.
Inquire with the community staff regarding available move-in support services. At delivery, promptly inspect your possessions against your inventory list to verify all belongings have been received without damage, streamlining your transition into the new residence.
We hope this checklist helps you and your family prepare for the transition to your new assisted living community. If you’d like help understanding the transition and what to expect, reach out to Arcadia and we’d be glad to help you.
