What should you pack for a skilled nursing facility stay?
When packing for a skilled nursing facility or rehab stay, plan for about 7 to 10 days of comfortable clothing, essential toiletries, mobility devices, required medical paperwork, and small comfort items from home. Leave prescription medications, valuables, and large sums of cash at home.
The room at a skilled nursing facility isn't large. It doesn't need to be. But a few familiar things can make a significant difference in how quickly someone settles in.
What clothing is best for a rehab facility?
The best clothing for a rehab facility is loose-fitting, easy to put on, and comfortable for daily physical therapy. Bring 7 to 10 days' worth of clothing including elastic-waist pants, soft shirts, warm socks, and non-slip footwear.
- Loose pants with elastic waistbands (easier for staff to help with)
- Soft shirts or tops without complicated buttons
- Warm socks (facilities can be cool)
- Non-slip slippers or sneakers with Velcro closures
- A robe or zip-up cardigan for warmth
- Underwear and comfortable sleepwear
Label everything with their name using a permanent marker. Things genuinely do get mixed up in the laundry, and labeled items almost always come back.
What personal care items should I bring to a nursing home?
Pack basic toiletries for a nursing home stay - a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, skin lotion, and a comb. And don't forget essential medical accessories like glasses, hearing aids, and dentures in labeled cases.
Facilities provide basic soap, but familiar scents and brands make a big difference in comfort. For glasses and hearing aids especially: label the cases with their name. These are small and easy to misplace.
How can you make a nursing home room feel more like home?
To make a nursing home room feel personalized and comforting, bring framed family photos, a favorite blanket or pillow, a recognizable clock, and a small radio or speaker. These items help ground the patient and combat the sterile facility environment.
This is often the most important category: and the easiest to overlook when you're stressed. You don't need to bring everything at once. Start with one or two meaningful things.
What important documents are required for nursing home admission?
Nursing home admissions require a photo ID, Social Security card, Medicare and secondary insurance cards, a list of emergency contacts, and any Advance Directives, Living Wills, or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders.
The facility will also ask for a list of current medications (the facility takes over medication management, but they need the historical context).
What items are not allowed in a nursing home?
Items prohibited or strongly discouraged in nursing homes include personal prescription medications, large amounts of cash, valuable jewelry, credit cards, and electronic items that generate heat such as space heaters or certain appliances.
The facility manages all medications under their pharmacy and nursing protocols. Bringing your own can actually cause problems and confusion. Don't bring anything you'd be heartbroken to lose.