What Needs to Be Done Before Moving into a Care Home: A Practical Checklist for Families

Moving into a care home is a significant life change, both for the person making the move and for their family. Alongside choosing the right care home, there are practical arrangements, paperwork and personal decisions that need to be considered.

For many families, this can feel like a lot to manage at once, particularly if the move follows a change in health or a hospital stay. Having a clear checklist can make the process easier and help ensure important details are not overlooked.

When moving into a care home, preparation can also make the transition feel calmer and more familiar for your loved one. From gathering medical information to choosing personal belongings for their new room, each step can help them settle into their new surroundings.

At Primrose Lodge Weymouth, we understand that every family’s circumstances are different. Our team can provide guidance throughout the care home admission process and help you understand what needs to be arranged before moving day.

Step 1: Arrange Care Assessments and Funding

One of the first steps when preparing for residential care is understanding the level of care required and how it will be funded.

You can ask your local authority for a care needs assessment. This looks at the person’s day-to-day needs and the type of support they may require. If eligible care needs are identified, a financial assessment, sometimes called a means test, may then be carried out to determine whether the local authority can contribute towards care costs.

The financial assessment considers circumstances such as income, savings and other capital. Families who will be paying privately should still make sure they fully understand the care home's fees, what is included and whether there may be additional charges.

Some people with significant ongoing healthcare needs may also qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare. This is NHS-funded care based on assessed health needs rather than income or savings.

Before confirming a placement, make sure you understand:

The weekly care home fee
What services are included
How additional care needs may affect costs
Whether local authority funding applies
Whether NHS funding should be considered

Primrose Lodge can discuss the admission process with you and help explain the information the home will require.

Step 2: Gather Medical Information and Documentation

Accurate medical information allows the care team to understand your loved one's needs from the beginning.

Before moving day, gather details of their GP, current medication and relevant medical history. If other healthcare professionals are involved in their care, it can also be helpful to provide their contact information.

Your care home paperwork and assessments may include information about:

Current prescriptions and medication
Allergies
Existing health conditions
Mobility and personal care requirements
Dietary requirements
GP and healthcare professional details
Advance care plans
DNAR documentation, where applicable

If you are unsure which information is needed, ask the care home before admission. Providing complete and up-to-date information helps staff prepare an appropriate care plan and reduces the likelihood of delays or misunderstandings.

Step 3: Review Legal and Financial Arrangements

A move into residential care can also be a useful time to review important financial and legal arrangements.

If a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is already in place, ensure the relevant documents are accessible. There are two main types in England and Wales: Health and Welfare, and Property and Financial Affairs.

A Health and Welfare LPA can allow an appointed attorney to make certain care and medical decisions if the individual no longer has the mental capacity to make those decisions themselves. A Property and Financial Affairs LPA can cover matters including bills, pensions, bank accounts and property.

You may also need to review practical arrangements such as:

Pensions and benefits
Bank payments and direct debits
Council Tax
Utility accounts
Insurance policies
Postal redirection
Telephone, television or broadband services

It is also sensible to make sure important documents, including an up-to-date will, are stored somewhere safe and accessible.

For individual legal or financial advice, families should speak to an appropriately qualified professional.

Step 4: Prepare Personal Belongings and the New Room

Making a care home bedroom feel familiar can make a considerable difference during the first few days and weeks.

Ask the home what is already provided and what residents are encouraged to bring. Depending on the available space, this might include photographs, ornaments, favourite books or other meaningful possessions.

A simple care home checklist UK families can use might include:

Clearly labelled clothing
Comfortable footwear
Toiletries and personal care products
Glasses, hearing aids or mobility equipment
Favourite photographs
Books, music or hobbies
Small decorative items
Familiar bedding or cushions, where appropriate

Some homes may also allow residents to bring small items of furniture, subject to space and safety requirements. Speak to the team beforehand so you know what can be accommodated.

Step 5: Prepare Emotionally for the Move

The practical arrangements are important, but emotional preparation matters too. Where possible, involve your loved one in decisions about their move. Talk openly about what will happen, allow them to choose what they would like to take and give them opportunities to ask questions.

Visiting the care home before moving in can help make the surroundings, team and routines feel more familiar. It can also give families an opportunity to discuss any concerns before admission.

Remember that settling into residential care in Weymouth may take time. Some people adapt quickly, while others need several weeks to become comfortable with their new routine. Regular visits, familiar belongings and good communication between the family and care team can all support this adjustment.

How Primrose Lodge Weymouth Supports Your Transition

You do not need to manage the process alone.

At Primrose Lodge Weymouth, we aim to make moving into residential care as straightforward and reassuring as possible. Before admission, our team can talk with you about your loved one's needs, the information we require and what to expect from the move.

We can support families with:

Pre-admission discussions and assessments
Guidance on paperwork and information required
Advice about what to bring
Understanding individual care needs and routines
Communication with relevant healthcare professionals
Answering questions before and after moving day

Getting to know the person behind the paperwork is an important part of preparing their care. Understanding their preferences, routines, interests and background helps us provide more personalised support as they settle into their new home.

Preparing for Moving Day

Good preparation can make moving into a care home feel much more manageable. By arranging assessments, gathering medical information, organising finances and preparing familiar belongings in advance, families can focus more of their attention on supporting their loved one through the change.

There may still be questions along the way, and that is completely normal. An experienced care team can help you understand what needs to happen and guide you through each stage of the process. We can help you make sure everything is covered.

To speak to our team at Primrose Lodge Weymouth to discuss your loved one’s situation, call us on 01305 786568 or use our contact form to get in touch. You can arrange a visit or find out more about moving into residential care.