Tips for moving into a nursing home

The process of moving in is often referred to as the ‘admission process’ and starts with an initial introduction, orientation and assessment.

Last updated: May 29th 2024

Nursing Homes

Once receiving a nursing home place, you should organise your medical and financial matters and notify family about the move. [Source: Shutterstock]

Key points:

Your new home should undertake a care plan to understand your preferences and who you are as a person
Check with your facility around bringing in personal items into your new room
The transition into a nursing home can be quick and can take some time to get accustomed to

You will be heavily involved in the introduction, orientation and assessment process when moving into a home.

Family members and carers are welcome to assist in identifying social and care needs.

Assessment

During the assessment, a staff member will gather information including medical conditions, family history, food preferences, social and recreational likes and dislikes, and interests.

This information will be used to create a care plan. The care plan is updated regularly and you can request to see a copy at any time.

What can you bring with you?

Your aged care home will already have most of the furniture and furnishings, such as beds, chairs, wardrobe, curtains and carpets, so it may be helpful to directly ask the home what you can bring with you.

Personal items

Having personal belongings around you may help you to feel more comfortable in your new environment.

Some people may like to bring family photographs, their favourite films, books, music or other treasured items.

Clothing

It’s important to ensure that personal clothing is properly labelled.

Most nursing homes will launder your clothing either on site or through a laundry service. Bring enough clothing to allow for when items are being washed as it might take a couple of days before clean laundry is returned to you.

Because of the large volume of washing, nursing home laundries often use commercial washing and drying machines so make sure your clothes are machine washable.

Continence aids

Residents with higher level care needs, who require products for the management of incontinence, will have these provided by the aged care home. Other residents may be required to purchase these items.

Radios, TVs, computers, digital clocks

Residents can bring their preferred electrical and electronic items when they enter the aged care home. Each item will be checked, tested and tagged for use.

Furniture

It’s most common to have space available for some items like a favourite chair, small table, dresser and bedside light.

Medication

It is important that you bring all prescription medication with you on admission into the aged care home.

Care staff will manage and administer the medication to ensure safe and quality use of your medicines.

Non-prescription medication

Topical creams, herbal remedies, vitamins and elixirs, which are non-prescription items, should also be declared to the staff.

Toiletries

The aged care home supplies the basic necessities such as toothpaste, soap, and toilet tissue.

Specific items or particular brands need to be purchased at the resident’s expense.

Mobility and wheelchairs

Residents who have wheelchairs, scooters, walking frames and other mobility aids will be assessed to ensure that these are appropriate to their current situation.

The maintenance and upkeep of scooters and wheelchairs is the responsibility of the resident.

Making the transition

Once you have been offered a place in an aged care home, it is also important to organise your medical and financial matters, and who you will need to tell about your move.

Who should you tell about your move?

It’s recommended that you tell your family, carer, friends, neighbours, and any health professionals, such as your doctor or pharmacist, that you’re leaving your home to enter a residential aged care facility.

If you need to change doctors, you can ask to have your medical history sent to your new doctor.

It’s also a good idea to keep track of this and make a note of your current medical treatments and medication so you can discuss this with your new aged care home as part of your care plan.

What is one personal item you can’t live out and want to take with you into a nursing home? Tell us in the comments below.