At Monarch, we know that the moving process requires a lot of preparation which can not only be stressful but extremely emotional for everyone involved. Whether or not you still live in your home now or you’re moving from a lower level of care into assisted living, being ready for the next stage in life doesn’t mean you’re ready to give up any of your independence.
When you decide that a move is the right choice, organization and patience are the keys to a stress-free experience. Learn more below and don’t hesitate to reach out to the Monarch team with any questions!
Why Choose Assisted Living For Your Next Move?
Assisted living is often the best long-term care option for older adults who need a little extra help on a day-to-day basis but don’t require the personal care assistance services of a skilled nursing care provider. Specifically, it is a level of care in between that of independent living and memory care that offers residents assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like medication reminders, bathing, dressing and more.
Assisted living communities, like those at Monarch, provide seniors thriving opportunities to seek connection, vibrancy, and profound self-discovery. Residents also have access to everything from one secure, intimate setting, allowing them to not only age in place with the best possible care at hand, but also live each and every day with the best opportunities to thrive.
Thoughtful, curated care gives older adults the tools they need to succeed. These communities offer daily structure to create a comforting routine coupled with a wide range of services to encourage independence and decision-making.
Assisted living services often include:
- Assistance with ADLs, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and more
- Medication management services
- Move-in coordination services
- Linen, laundry, and housekeeping services
- Concierge and transportation services
- On-site health care services such as medical care consultations
- 24/7 on-site licensed nursing and caregivers
- Residence maintenance services
- Various levels of plans to suit the unique care needs of each resident
Core Wellness Centers offering concierge medicine with on-site physicians and healthcare providers.
So You’ve Decided Assisted Living is Right For You? Let’s Get Started!
From initial planning right up to moving day, we’ve created a comprehensive moving checklist to utilize as you move through the process. We hope this checklist will help ease the burden and increase excitement for your journey to your new home.
Six – Eight Weeks Prior to Your Move:
After you have carefully compared assisted living communities to evaluate the type of housing, level of care, amenities, and services you’d like, it’s now time to streamline your tasks into manageable steps:
- Determine if your community of choice has a waiting list.
- Pay move-in deposit, if applicable.
- If you elect to move yourself with help from family or friends, determine if you’ll need a rental truck or other delivery options.
- If you decide to hire professionals, obtain a quote from at least three different moving companies.
- Start a packing list
- Buy moving supplies including boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, markers for labeling boxes, etc.
- Secure a storage facility if you need more space.
- Consider any pets you may have, and arrange necessary transportation for them.
- Complete a Change of Address form from the U.S. Postal Service.
- Take photos of your home as it is prior to packing, carefully documenting each room, exterior, outbuildings, etc. This may help you recreate setup if desired, as well as preserve memories of your home the way it was.
- Determine what’s to become of your current home. Listing it, leasing it, etc.
One Month Prior to Your Move:
Time is likely passing by quickly and while it can be stressful, keep in mind that the end of this journey is being able to settle into your new home and meeting new friends. Hang in there!
- Notify these services of your new address:
- Insurance
- Bank – request new checks with updated address
- Credit card companies
- Social Security Administration
- State vehicle registration
- State/federal tax bureau
- Pharmacy/direct mail pharmacy services
- Notify your physician and other medical consultants of relocation; if moving out of the area ask for referrals as well as make a plan to transfer medical records to new clinics.
- Schedule disconnection of utilities and services at current home including:
- Phone/Internet/Cable
- Water
- Garbage
- Gas
- Electric
- Newspaper delivery & magazine subscription
- Lawn care & snow removal services
- Dog walkers
- Make a list of family members, neighbors, friends, coworkers, and other people you want to inform with your change of address.
- Begin downsizing and packing non-essential items (linens, extra dishware, décor, seasonal items, etc.) – remember to label all boxes. Sometimes it’s helpful to tackle one room, one closet, or one area at a time so the project doesn’t get overwhelming.
Separate valuables and establish the plan for transporting those items to your new community yourself or by a trusted loved one.
Two Weeks Prior to Your Move:
It may be hard to leave your home behind and memories made within its walls. There’s good news though – you haven’t even made some of the best memories of your life yet, and that’s all waiting for you at your new senior living community.
- Continue packing – labeling as you go.
- Hold a moving sale, or arrange a charity pickup of household items for donation.
- Arrange for disposal of anything that is not sold, donated, or accompanying you to your new home including environmental hazardous waste and chemicals like gasoline, paint, and propane.
- Buy cleaning supplies or consider hiring a professional service to conduct a thorough cleaning post-move.
- Pack your suitcase with essentials including personal items and medication.
- Plan out meals to use up food in your refrigerator and freezer.
One Week Prior to Your Move:
If you have followed all of the above steps, you will be right on track with your tasks and can slow down to savor the memories. Invite family, friends, and other loved ones to say goodbye to the home as well. Consider hosting a meal (serve it with paper plates and plastic silverware!) and invite people to share in the memories.
- Create a schedule for moving day and share it with those who are helping you move.
- Do all laundry so you bring fresh, clean items with you to unpack.
Finalize packing! Most importantly, study the floor plans at the assisted living apartment you’re moving into to ensure you’re not packing too much or too little to fill up the new space. Make sure you have these items accounted for:
Living Room
- Small sofa and/or chair
- Side table and lamp
- Small bookshelf
- Television set
- Blanket
- Area rugs
- Hobby supplies
- Photos, collectibles, keepsakes, knick-knacks, decorative items, etc.
Kitchen Area
- Small table and chairs
- Plates, bowls, cups
- Eating utensils
- Coffee maker
- Microwave-safe dishes for heating snacks or light meals
- Sponge for wiping counters and table
- Wastebasket/trash can
- Dishwashing liquid and dishcloth or brush
- Dish towels
Bedroom
- Bed frame
- Mattress and box spring
- Mattress protector
- Chair
- Night stand
- Lamp
- Alarm clock
- Laundry hamper and hangers
- 2-3 sets of sheets
- Pillow
- Blanket(s)
- Bedspread
- Clothes including sweaters and more
- Eyeglasses
- Cellphone charger
Bathroom
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Shaving kit or cosmetics
- Hairbrush or comb
- Other personal grooming toiletries and lotion
- Hearing aids
- 3-4 bath towels
- 3-4 hand towels
- 7 washcloths
Moving Day:
The day is here and with it, a plethora of feelings. Remember that it’s okay to feel sad, nostalgic, scared, or overwhelmed as you wake up in your current home for the last time. Monarch is aware of this change and the hardships it can present. We have a whole team waiting for you at your new home to help you and every emotion that comes with it.Contact Us
- Remove bedding and dismantle beds.
- Meet with the professional moving company or those that are helping you move and review expectations, special instructions, and anything key about delivery to the new living space.
- Carry all valuables with you including jewelry, heirlooms, personal documents, and your “pack last” box.
- Empty all the trash and place it in a receptacle outside.
- Turn off all appliances.
- Leave the keys and depart for your new home! New friends are waiting for you!