After retirement, some older persons feel the need to move closer and connect with their family and relatives. Some of these individuals even cross countries and continents to achieve this.

For others, life after work is all about enjoying new experiences and creating memories with fellow seniors. So, they relocate to a senior living community where they can maintain independence and pursue their passion.

Check this page to learn more about the senior living options offered in this community.

Moving into a retirement home, like relocating anywhere else, is not easy. This transition necessitates a significant amount of planning. In fact, weeks of planning could turn into months. After all, packing and knowing the right things to pack can be time-consuming.

Read further to know the items to add to a senior independent living checklist. This article also contains things not to include in your loved one’s inventory.

Things to Bring to Independent Living

Moving into an independent living community is a huge transition that is accompanied by a lot of changes.

The potential reduction of living space is one of these upheavals, and here’s what it means – your loved one can’t move all of their things to their new home, as there may not be enough space to accommodate them.

Hence, your older one should only take properties they will need in their independent living residence.

Here are some essential items that should be on your folk’s assisted living checklist.

1.   Personal Items

Personal items are the collection of things your older one will need almost immediately after arriving at their new home. This list of essentials should include pyjamas, toiletries, medication, and clothing.

It is advised that these personal items be packed together in a compartment. By doing this, your loved ones will not have to worry about unpacking on their first night at the independent living residence.

Money purses, eyeglasses, necessary paperwork, and even regularly worn accessories like a wristwatch are examples of items that fall into this category.

2.   Furniture

Before your elderly relatives relocate, make sure you know what their new living space will look like.

This is because if you have a mental image of their new home, you can accurately advise them on the furniture that will fit in.

That said, a few key pieces of furniture should accompany your loved one on the move.

These may include a bed, side table, dresser, desk and chair, and possibly a small sofa.

3.   Clothing

You should also consider the type of clothes that your parents will wear in an independent living community.

Most older adults want to look casual and comfortable in their outfits. So, make sure that a good percentage of your loved one’s packed clothing is simple and nice.

You should also ensure that the clothes are in good condition – unstained and not needing repairs.

When your older one is packing the clothes to take to their new home, it is advised that they pick outfits that can be cleaned using a machine without shrinking or fading. This is because laundry services provided by most senior living communities make use of washing machines.

4.   Entertainment

Indeed, one of the primary advantages of living in a retirement community is the variety of fun and entertaining activities available to residents.

However, there is no harm in having your loved one move in with a few items for their amusement.

Furthermore, most of these fun items are electronic devices that take up very little space in a home. They may include television, personal computer, iPad, radio, etc.

Meanwhile, entertaining books should also have a place in the moving to assisted living checklist.

5.   Decoration

Your folk can bring personal items, such as framed photos, potted plants, mirrors, and so on, to decorate their new space.

After making the transition to their new home, your loved one may take time to get accustomed to their new surroundings. However, using the aforementioned sentimental items as ornaments can make the adjustment process easier and more comfortable.

6.   Housewares and Kitchen Supplies

Your loved one should include some housewares and kitchen supplies in their senior independent living checklist. Towels, a coffee maker, a small collection of cups, bowls, and plates – to mention a few – are things that they will need in their new kitchen space.

7.   Cleaning Agents

Indeed, most independent living communities provide housekeeping and laundry services to their residents.  However, random messes will occasionally occur, some of which require immediate cleaning. For this reason, your older one should bring their cleaning supplies when moving into independent living.

Brooms, dustpans, surface wipes, and paper towels are some of the cleaning items your loved ones should always have on hand.

Things Not to Bring to Independent Living

When moving to a retirement home, older people often forget that they won’t have the luxury of space that they used to. So, they are not aware of certain things that they will need to let go of during the transition.

Here, we will mention a few items that your loved one should not include in their independent living checklist. These things include;

1.   Inappropriate Furniture

Oversized or defective pieces of furniture should not be moved to your folk’s new home. Meanwhile, outdoor furniture should be left at their old place.

2.   Expensive Jewelry

Expensive or rarely-worn jewelry should not be taken to independent living.

That is not to say that these items should be disposed of or left behind. Instead, your loved one can keep these valuables with you or in their bank’s safety box.

3.   Boxes of stored items

Your older one should not move boxes of items to a retirement home. This is because they will take up space that can hold more valuable items.

Conclusion

Most retirement communities provide varying care services and amenities to their residents.

Hence, before you and your folk draw a packing list, check with the retirement home to know what your loved one will need to bring to their new residence.

Creating and adhering to a complete senior independent living checklist can be hugely beneficial to the process of transitioning to a senior living community. This list will help your loved ones ease into their new environment.