What to Bring: and What to Leave Home

Pack for about 7 to 10 days. Bring comfortable clothes. Bring the basic toiletries they use. Bring any mobility aids they need. Bring the paperwork the facility will ask for. And bring a few small things from home that make them feel like themselves.

Leave their prescription medications at home. Leave valuables and cash at home too.

The room is small. It does not need to be big. A few familiar things can make a real difference in how fast they settle in.

Aim for clothes that are loose, soft, and easy to get on and off. Therapy will run nearly every day, so anything stiff or fussy is going to slow them down. Plan for about a week to ten days of clothing , that gives the laundry cycle some breathing room.

Loose pants with elastic waistbands work best. They are easier on sore joints and easier for staff to help with. Soft tops without complicated buttons or zippers will make everyone's morning smoother. Bring warm socks, because facilities tend to run cool, and either non-slip slippers or sneakers with Velcro instead of laces.

A robe or zip-up cardigan is worth packing for hallway walks, since temperatures shift between rooms. Underwear and a couple of nights' worth of comfortable sleepwear round it out.

Last thing , and this one matters more than people think. Label every single item with their name in permanent marker. Clothes really do go missing in the wash. Labeled ones almost always come back.

Bring the basics: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, lotion, a comb.

And do not forget the medical extras: glasses, hearing aids, and dentures. Bring labeled cases for each one.

The facility will have soap. But familiar brands and smells go a long way. For glasses and hearing aids, label the case with their name. These are small. They get lost easily.

Small things help the most. A framed photo or two. A favorite blanket or pillow. A clock they recognize. A small radio or speaker.

These are the items families most often forget. When you are stressed, they do not feel urgent. But they are.

You do not have to bring everything on the first day. Start with one or two meaningful things. Add more later.

The facility will ask for:

• A photo ID
• Social Security card
• Medicare card and any other insurance cards
• A list of emergency contacts
• Any Advance Directives, Living Will, or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order

They will also ask for a list of the medications your loved one takes at home. The facility will take over the medication itself. But they need to know the history.

Leave these at home:

• Their own prescription medications
• Large amounts of cash
• Jewelry of any real value
• Credit cards
• Space heaters or small appliances that give off heat

The facility manages every medication through their own pharmacy and nursing staff. Bringing bottles from home can cause mix-ups.

As a rule, do not bring anything you would be heartbroken to lose.