Find a care homeMoving into a care home guide and checklist
We understand that moving into a care home is a significant life decision for you and your loved one. It can be a challenging and emotional time, and it’s very natural to have questions and concerns as you prepare for the next chapter.
Over the last three decades, we have helped thousands of people successfully transition into care homes. This comprehensive guide is designed to provide you with clear and practical advice on what to expect and how to prepare – making sure that you feel reassured and confident every step of the way. We’re here to make the process as smooth and compassionate as possible, and to provide the support and care that you and your loved one deserves.
Skip to: Moving checklist | On the day | Settling in | FAQs
Set your expectations right about care homes
Understanding what to expect when you or a loved one moves into a care home can make the transition positive and smoother. At Barchester, we prioritise transparency and clarity, making sure you are informed about our values and approach to care from the beginning.
Whichever of our care homes best suits your loved one's needs, you can expect passionate, professional and personalised care, with individual care plans tailored to their specific requirements. The people in our homes lead fulfilling lives filled with activities they love, in a safe, comfortable living environment that helps them feel at home.
We also champion open communication and provide support for families and friends who are welcome to visit at any time. Our compassionate team is always on-hand to provide assistance and advice when you need it.
Make sure the chosen care home is right for you
When making the decision to move into a care home, you want the reassurance that you or your loved one will be well cared for and have the best possible quality of life.
One way to do this is by asking the right questions on your visit. Our care home managers are always happy to talk to anyone considering care, and to discuss life at the home and the care services they provide.
It can also be useful to consider a short respite care stay as an opportunity to experience what life in a Barchester care home is like. Respite residents are encouraged to keep doing the things they love the most, by participating in their home’s daily life enrichment activities, making connections with other residents, and experiencing the compassionate and active atmosphere we promote.
What you’ll receive before your move
Whether it's before, during, or after a move, we understand there’s a lot to consider when moving into a care home. Our teams can offer as much help and support as needed to try and make sure this time is simple and stress-free.
Before moving into a Barchester care home, you will receive all the information you need to consider, including a Moving into a Care Home Checklist and practical tips. Whether the move is into a dementia care home, a residential home or a nursing home, we’ll provide helpful advice on what to bring, who to inform, and how to make the new environment feel like home.
Who to inform when moving into a care home
There are a number of people and organisations that will need to notified when moving into a care home. This of course includes family and friends, who can provide assistance during the move as well as ongoing companionship afterwards, but it also includes healthcare providers and financial institutions who will need information about the change of address.
To help you in doing this we've created a printable checklist that includes the following:
Start familiarising before moving into a care home
Getting the right care is a top priority, but so it feeling comfortable, happy and at home with us. If circumstances allow, it’s best to make several visits to your chosen care home before moving in, helping you to become acquainted with the environment and the people who will be a part of daily life. Familiarising yourself in advance can also ensure you or your loved one start your journey with confidence, helping you feel at ease with the new home.
Facilities
On your visits, find out about your potential living space as well as the variety of common areas such as lounges, quiet rooms and dining rooms. If you’re unsure, see whether the home offers additional amenities including a hair salon or a chiropodist, and where they are. Explore the gardens, courtyards, or any other outdoor sitting areas. These spaces could become favourite spots for relaxation and fresh air.
You may also want to familiarise yourself with the layout of the care home so that you navigate confidently and independently from day one, this is something the care home team can support you with.
Environment
Spending time experiencing the atmosphere and the wider surroundings of the care home is important too. Wherever possible, sample the food and drink, meet other residents in a casual setting, and find out whether the home organises a range of engaging and meaningful activities.
Understanding daily routines such as those at mealtimes can help you settle in more comfortably, while building connections early and finding areas where residents gather can provide a sense of belonging and community – making your move as welcoming as possible.
If you’re moving to a care home in a different area, knowing the local neighbourhood, transport options and how and when you can go out for appointments, shopping, or leisure activities can help you feel more connected too.
Staff
When you visit, try to ensure you meet the General Manager, the Head of Department for the type of care you require, the Activities Coordinator, and some of the Administration staff. Take the time to ask questions and find out who to contact for different needs. We want you to feel understood and supported, and our team is here to listen and address any worries you may have.
Similarly, you will also want to spend time getting to know the nurses and healthcare professionals who will be responsible for your medical care, and the caregivers who will be providing daily assistance.
Policies and regulations
Take the time to read through the care home’s handbooks and procedures covering the rules and services available. One your first day the team will familiarise you with health and safety policies, emergency procedures and personal hygiene measures. To manage your finances effectively, you’ll also want to familiarise yourself with the care home’s fees, payment methods, billing cycles, and whether any services may incur additional costs.
Create a care home packing list
Unless the move is from one care home to another, you’ll need to know what you can and can’t pack. In Barchester’s care homes, we encourage new residents to bring personal belongings to help personalise the bedroom and help them to feel at home straight way,
Although the advice on what to bring will differ from home-to home, we've created a printable checklist of items that should be considered for one of our homes, which includes:
- Furniture: Bedrooms are fully furnished, however additional furniture will be considered as long as it’s fire safety compliant.
- Clothing: Laundry services are included, but an appropriate amount of clothes suitable for indoor, outdoor, daytime and nighttime wear will be needed. Please also consider all seasons and clothing for special occasions.
- Electrical appliances: Bedrooms include their own flat-screen TV, but a TV licence will need to be organised. The home will PAT test any other electrical items and please remember appropriate charging cables too.
- Mobility aids: If yourself or your loved one need a wheelchair or other mobility aid to get around, please bring these along with you.
Plan about things you can't bring into the care homes
It is always best to check with your chosen care home whether there are any restrictions on what you can bring with you. Pets for example are only allowed at the discretion of the General Manager and they will be able to advise you on any resident car parking spaces available at the home.
In the interest of health and safety, electrical items will need to be PAT tested on arrival, and furniture will be checked to be fire safety compliant.
List of questions to ask a care home
Ideally you should visit as many homes as possible that offer the care you require and are in a suitable location, so that you can make comparisons and find the right home for you and your loved one. We’ve created a useful guide with the right questions to ask – this could be printed and filled out for every care home you visit to make it easier to compare when you come to make a decision.
Moving to a care home: On the day
You can expect to receive a warm welcome from our team, as well as refreshments on arrival before being given a tour of the home. The team will talk through what you’d expect from a typical day and explain the home’s fire procedure and location or emergency exits.
If you prefer, our team will be happy to help you or your loved one unpack, however we appreciate this might be best with the help of family and friends.
We know there’s quite a lot to take in at first, but don’t worry – a welcome pack will be ready in the bedroom with lots of helpful information about the team and the home, including the week’s activity programme and menus.
Settling into a care home
We do everything we possibly can to help residents settle into new surroundings and welcome friends and family are welcome to visit at any time. In the first few days of moving in you can expect to meet key team members who will get to know you through your personalised care and lifestyle plans, they will seek to understand everything from your routines and sleep patterns to your favourite food or hobbies. Don’t worry about learning all their names though as they all wear name badges to make it easier for you!
FAQs
What to take into a care home
A care home will typically provide you with a bedroom that is fully furnished and includes soft furnishings, bed linen and towels. You will need to bring seasonal clothing that is suitable for indoor, outdoor, daytime and nighttime. You will also need to bring any medication or mobility aids that you would usually use.
The care home will also provide all food, drink and activities but you may wish to take personal belongings, and any small electrical appliances.
Questions to ask when choosing a care home
Read our choosing a care home checklist for things to consider and the right questions to ask.
Questions to ask a dementia care home
Our choosing a care home checklist includes guidance on things to consider when looking for a dementia care home, as well as the right questions to ask around other important things such as food, activities and the home itself.
How to get an elderly person into a care home
When searching for a care home, you need to know what type of care your loved one will need. We help by carrying out a full assessment of your loved one’s needs which will help you find the right care home for them. Alternatively you can request a care needs assessment from the adult social services department of your local council.