--- title: "Moving to Assisted Living Checklist: What to Bring" description: "Moving to assisted living checklist: what to bring, what to leave, paperwork, setting up the apartment and making the first weeks easier." url: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/moving-to-assisted-living-checklist/ updated: 2026-10-09 site: Senior Transition Assistance --- Downsizing and moving # Moving to assisted living: a checklist of what to bring and do An assisted living apartment is small, so what comes along matters. Ask the community for its own list too; rules on furniture, appliances and medications vary. Talk it through with a person[ (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388) Free. We listen, explain your options, and introduce you to a few that fit. You decide. Quick answer For a move to assisted living, bring a comfortable bed and chair, familiar bedding, photos and keepsakes, clothes for each season, toiletries, glasses and hearing aids, and a list of medications and doctors. Leave behind most kitchen gear, valuables and anything the community doesn't allow. Get the floor plan and the community's move-in list first. [(800) 614-8388](tel:+18006148388) if you'd like help with the move. **Last updated October 9, 2026** Costs are published medians or typical ranges with a named source, never quotes. Every community and agency prices differently. **On this page** 1. [ Before move day](#g-before-move-day) 2. [What to bring](#g-what-to-bring) 3. [What to leave](#g-what-to-leave) 4. [The first weeks](#g-the-first-weeks) 5. [Questions](#g-faq) ## Before move day - Get the apartment floor plan and measurements. - Ask for the community's move-in packet and rules. - Finish move-in paperwork and the care assessment. - Bring the medication list and doctor's orders the community asks for. - Set up phone, mail forwarding and any TV or internet. - Label clothes and belongings with your parent's name. ## What to bring - Bed (if allowed), favorite chair, small table and lamp. - Bedding, towels and a familiar blanket. - Clothes for each season, comfortable shoes with good grip. - Toiletries, glasses, hearing aids, dentures and chargers. - Photos, artwork and a few keepsakes. - A clock and calendar with large numbers. - A small amount of spending money. - Copies of ID, insurance cards, and power of attorney or advance directives. ## What to leave - Large furniture that won't fit. - Most kitchen items, unless the apartment has a kitchenette. - Valuable jewelry and important originals; keep these with family. - Anything the community doesn't allow, such as space heaters. ## The first weeks - Set up the room before your parent arrives, if you can. - Visit often at first, and join a meal or activity. - Meet the care staff and share your parent's routine and preferences. - Expect an adjustment period. See [helping a parent settle in](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/transition-to-assisted-living/). ### Want help with the move? We'll help you find senior move managers and movers near Kansas City. Free. [ (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388)[Have us call you](#g-form) ## Questions families ask ### What should I bring to assisted living? Comfortable furniture that fits, familiar bedding, clothes, toiletries, photos, and copies of key documents. Ask the community for its list. ### Can my parent bring their own furniture? Most communities allow it. Check what's provided. ### Should my parent bring medications? Ask the community. Many manage medications and have rules about how they're delivered. ### What shouldn't I bring? Valuables, original documents and anything the community doesn't allow. ## Sources - [National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers (NASMM): FAQs](https://www.nasmm.org/faqs/) ## Related guides - [Downsizing and moving](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/) - [Transition to assisted living](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/transition-to-assisted-living/) - [Downsizing checklist](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/downsizing-checklist/) - [How to choose](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/assisted-living/how-to-choose/) - [Senior move managers](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/senior-move-manager/) - [Estate cleanout](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/estate-cleanout/) - [Estate sales](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/estate-sales/) - [How to downsize](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/how-to-downsize/) - [Moving tips for seniors](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/moving-tips-for-seniors/) --- Canonical page: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/moving-to-assisted-living-checklist/