10 Tips to Make Moving Into a Care Home Easier
Moving into a care home is a milestone that marks many new beginnings for both residents and their families. It is common for this transition to bring mixed emotions, from excitement and hope to uncertainty and concern. Regardless of age or circumstance, there are several ways you can create a positive experience from the very start. In this blog, we will explore our top 10 tips for anyone planning to move into a care home to help you embrace this next chapter with confidence.
1. Visit the Care Home in Advance
Visiting the care home before the move-in day allows the resident to become familiar with their new environment in a gentle and reassuring way. Arrange for family members to also attend these visits to see communal areas, resident rooms, gardens and dining spaces. Tours often include opportunities to meet staff and other residents and observe their daily routines. These experiences offer valuable insights and enable future residents to picture daily life upon moving in. Each visit allows individuals to become familiar with the layout and rhythms of the home, ask any questions they may have and make the eventual move feel less overwhelming. It may also be worth asking if the home has a gallery on its website so residents can become more familiar with the home if they aren't able to make multiple visits.
2. Talk Openly and Keep Residents Involved
Emotional preparation is just as important as practical planning when moving into a care home. Residents and their families may feel a mixture of excitement and worry about leaving their own home. Open conversation about expectations, concerns and hopes allows everyone involved to support one another and address fears together. It is crucial to acknowledge feelings of guilt, sadness, or uncertainty and to remember that these emotions are normal when making a big change. Care home staff are experienced in supporting new residents, so proactive discussion about their emotional well-being enables staff to offer extra support and understanding through the transition.
3. Personalise the Bedroom and Living Space
Personal touches help transform a new care home bedroom into a comforting retreat. Residents are encouraged to bring personal items such as photographs, ornaments, treasured books and soft furnishings. Many care homes permit residents to bring their own furniture, including their favourite chair, to replicate familiar surroundings. Recreating aspects of the previous home with meaningful objects ensures the room feels unique and connected to past experiences. Discuss with the care home manager about what is allowed, and plan to unpack and arrange belongings together on the day they arrive to help them feel at home from the very start.
4. Pack Carefully and Include Essential Items
Packing carefully is essential for a smooth move into a care home. Begin organising well in advance, ideally creating a checklist of essential items for the person moving. This list should include clothing suitable for all seasons and occasions, toiletries, medication, mobility aids and important documents, along with sentimental personal items. Family members can help sort through belongings, keeping communication open to understand the resident’s preferences and what will help them feel settled. Label items to prevent mix-ups, and confirm with care home staff about policies for personal electronics and storage.
5. Get Involved in Daily Life and Activities
Taking an active role in communal activities has a significant impact on how quickly a resident settles into their new home. Exploring opportunities for stimulating activities and routines, whether through art sessions, games, gardening or gentle exercise, helps break down social barriers and connects new residents with other residents and staff. Most care homes offer varied schedules and offer support to those with additional needs, while encouraging but never forcing participation. Residents who engage in social aspects within the care home or nursing home find the transition less stressful and gain confidence and purpose.
6. Allow Time to Build Relationships
The first days and weeks will be an adjustment period for new residents. Forming relationships with other residents, care home staff and even members of the local community brings comfort and promotes a sense of belonging. Introductions to staff, joining group activities, sharing life stories, and having family and friends visit the new home all contribute to positive social experiences. Building these connections gradually helps residents feel welcome and at home, making their new environment a nurturing place for growth and happiness.
7. Communicate Dietary Preferences and Health Needs
Before new residents move in, the home managers need to know about food allergies, dietary preferences, medical conditions and current treatments to provide appropriate care and personalised meals. They will sit down with residents and their loved ones to create a tailored care plan, including information about all aspects of their lifestyle. This ensures that staff can prepare to meet the resident’s unique needs from day one, fostering safety and trust within the new environment.
8. Stay Connected with Family and Loved Ones
Maintaining close relationships with family and friends helps alleviate homesickness and supports continued well-being after moving in. Today’s technology makes it easy to stay in touch through video calls, mobile phones and landlines, which provides comfort when loved ones cannot visit in person. Encouraging visits, scheduling regular phone calls and including friends and family in special occasions at the care home builds a strong network of support. Care home teams are flexible and encourage relatives to remain involved and participate in communal events to make more memories.
9. Make Use of Care Home Staff and Support Services
Care home staff are trained to offer emotional, practical and health-related support throughout the moving process and beyond. The care home manager is a central contact who can address concerns and answer questions about routines and services. Residents and families should not hesitate to speak with staff about worries or any additional support they may need.
10. Take Things at Your Own Pace
Adjusting to a care home is a personal journey, and every resident will experience the transition differently. Some residents may feel ready to dive into new routines, while others will need more time and reassurance. It is important to respect the pace of adjustment and communicate with staff and family about feelings and preferences. Patience and openness to new experiences all contribute to a smoother process. The care home staff are aware that transitions can be stressful and offer adaptable support every step of the way.
Making Your Move as Smooth As Possible at Ivy Gate Lodge Care Home
At Ivy Gate Lodge Care Home, we know that moving into a new environment is a big step, and our team is passionate about providing ongoing support and reassurance from the moment a resident arrives. We work closely with each individual and their family to understand their routines, preferences, and health needs, making sure that comfort, dignity, and personal identity are protected throughout the transition. Our rooms are ready to be personalised, and we actively encourage residents to bring treasured items, favourite furniture, or even their own bed to help create a familiar and welcoming space. Activities are shaped around each resident’s interests and we involve families in special occasions, keeping connections strong and helping new residents feel truly at home.
We believe that community and comfort go hand in hand with quality care. Residents at Ivy Gate Lodge can look forward to nutritious meals prepared on site, stimulating activities for mind and body, and the company of kind, attentive staff who are always available to offer support or companionship. Whether an individual joins us for residential, nursing, dementia, or respite care, our priority is to ensure every resident feels safe, understood, and valued. From the first day and throughout every stage of life, we’re committed to making Ivy Gate Lodge a place where families find peace of mind and residents enjoy the best possible quality of life. To find out more, book a tour today.