Moving to a senior living community is a significant change that can feel scary, overwhelming, and lonely. Your loved one may feel disconnected from their life and family in new and unfamiliar surroundings. By creating a welcome kit tailored to their needs, likes, and level of care, you can help them connect to their new home and feel more secure there. Here are some ideas for items to include in your welcome kit to make your loved one feel more at home.

Comfort items from home

Moving into a senior living community may be a major transition for your loved one. They are faced with many significant changes in their life while adapting to the new environment and routines. Having comfort items from home can provide a sense of familiarity during this new chapter of their life. 

Thoughtfully planning and bringing a touch of home to their new living arrangement can include some of the following ideas.

For nursing home residents

In nursing homes, space is often limited. Consider how you can incorporate small yet meaningful items that hold sentimental value into the space. 

These items can help your loved one feel connected to their past and loved ones:

• Framed photos or a photo album of family, friends, and vacations.
• Small keepsakes.
• A familiar blanket.
• A comfortable or decorative pillow.
• A favorite mug for tea or coffee.

For independent or assisted living residents

Typically, your loved one will have a larger space in independent or assisted living. This larger space allows you to expand on the list above to also include:

• Wall art.
• A soft, warm throw blanket. 
• Favorite bedding. 
• A family photo collage.
• Small, easy-to-care-for, or artificial plants.

These items can help create a comforting, familiar, and personalized environment for your loved one, which can make the move to senior living a smoother experience.

Personalized notes from loved ones

As your loved one moves into their new senior living community, they may feel disconnected from their loved ones. Adding personalized notes in the welcome kit can help them through this transition by providing them with emotional support. 

When creating notes, you can consider the following:

• Share uplifting, encouraging messages that inspire confidence and positivity.
  • Examples: “I’m so proud of you, Mom,” inspiring quotes, or religious passages (if appropriate).
• Remind them of joyful moments and shared experiences, sparking fond memories and a sense of continuity.
  • Examples: Memories of family vacations, a time when your parent supported you in a new chapter of your life, or a funny story from your childhood.
• Simple, heartfelt declarations of love and appreciation can provide comfort and warmth, reinforcing their importance in your life.
  • Examples: “I love you so much,” “Thank you for all that you have done for me,” or “Your grandkids love you!”
• Talk about upcoming visits or plans, which can give them something to look forward to and nurture an ongoing connection.
  • Examples: When you will be visiting for dinner, when your next planned outing together will be, or when you can take them shopping.

By including personalized notes in the welcome kit, you can help your loved one feel connected to family, valued, and supported. The notes can ease their transition and enrich their experience in their new community.

Snacks and treats

Snacks and treats can give your loved one comfort and pleasure, evoke pleasant memories, and provide a sense of normalcy. When choosing these items, pay attention to your loved one’s dietary restrictions and the amenities available for storing and preparing food. Also check with the facility about rules for bringing in outside food.

For nursing home residents

In nursing homes, where storage and preparation options may be limited, focus on nonperishable, easy-to-eat snacks that are delicious and convenient. Examples include:

• Prepackaged fruit cups.
• Soft snack bars.
• Jell-O or pudding cups.
• Crackers.
• Soft cookies.

For independent and assisted living residents

With more access to refrigeration and microwaves, a broader range of snacks and treats can be enjoyed. You might consider including:

• Fresh fruit.
• Microwaveable popcorn.
• Yogurt cups.
• Cheese and crackers.
• Fresh, cut-up vegetables.

Useful items and tech tools for enhancing daily life and connectivity

When your loved one moves into a senior living community, you can enhance their daily comfort and connection with family by providing them with useful essentials.

For nursing home residents

If your loved one lives in a nursing home, their space and mobility might be limited. Smaller items, aids to assist their functioning, and convenience items can enhance their daily living. Ideas include:

• Easy-grip utensils to maintain and support their independence in dining.
• A lap blanket with pockets for items like glasses or a remote control.
• Headphones for private listening to the radio, television, or audiobooks in shared spaces.

For independent and assisted living residents

Residents in independent living and assisted living typically have access to more space and may have increased mobility. They can enjoy a broader range of activities and technology. Ideas include:

• A craft kit for a fun and stimulating activity.
• A tablet for video calls, email, texting, and games.
• Books or an e-reader.
• Puzzle books of crosswords, word finds, and sudoku.
• Smart speakers like Amazon’s Echo devices for assistance in finding music, setting reminders, and checking the weather.

Contact list and memory aids

You can provide your loved one with tools to help them maintain their connections with their family, preserve their memories, and cope with memory loss. 

Some ideas to consider include: 

• A laminated contact list of important phone numbers and addresses for family members, friends, and caregivers.
• A personalized calendar highlighting family birthdays, anniversaries, and special events.
• A photo album or digital photo frame preloaded with cherished photos.
• A simple board or set of notes to display daily reminders, appointments, or inspirational messages.
• A scrapbook or journal filled with stories, photos, and memorabilia that display significant life events and memories.

Make the move to senior living smoother with a welcome kit

Moving to senior living is a big step, but a thoughtfully prepared welcome kit can ease the transition and help your loved one feel safe, supported, and at home. By thoughtfully creating the kit and individualizing it to their needs, you can help them feel loved and connected to their new home and community.