Memory care can be a crucial service for people with dementia, offering a safe and supportive environment with skilled staff members and engaging activities. However, the initial transition to memory care can be overwhelming, especially for people in the later stages of dementia. Choosing the right items to bring to memory care can make a huge difference, making your loved one’s room feel much more familiar and homelike. You might even help them settle in faster with fewer issues. This article highlights the best items to pack when someone is first moving to memory care, including general items and some that can specifically help with dementia needs.

What to bring to memory care

Memory care units often don’t have much space, so it’s best to focus on the items that truly matter. Cluttering the room won’t help, as too many items can be overstimulating and even become a hazard. Think carefully about what matters the most.

Bring favorite items to memory care

Favorite items are the things the senior uses regularly and that have emotional significance. These are some of the most valuable items to bring, as they can make the room feel more like home. Such items are particularly valuable to people in the later stages of dementia, as transitions become increasingly confusing as the condition progresses.

Popular items to consider include:

• Photos: These could be included in a photo album, in frames, or even hung directly on the wall. Labeling the people in the images can assist staff with reminiscence therapy, especially later in dementia, when the person may not consistently recognize loved ones. Bring copies of these photos rather than the originals in case they are lost.
• Furniture: Some facilities will allow residents to bring furniture items, like a favorite chair, to make the room feel instantly more familiar. Be sure to check with the facility before bringing any furniture, as they may have restrictions or guidelines.
• Smaller furnishings: Items like lamps, cushions, and tablecloths are easy additions to a room and instantly improve the atmosphere.  
• Cherished possessions: Does the senior have small, meaningful items, especially those associated with pleasant memories? Choose ones that are familiar to the senior but aren’t too valuable, so there’s no stress if any items get lost.

Comfortable and familiar items

Most people have at least a few items of clothing for comfort, such as a favorite robe, an old cardigan, soft sweatpants, and a comfortable pair of slippers. These items are familiar and feel just right. The same effect happens with other types of items, too, like blankets and comforters. Such items offer a powerful combination of comfort and familiarity, helping people with dementia feel cozy and immediately at home.

You should make sure that anything you choose is safe. For example, slippers with minimal tread or flowing robes that get easily caught could lead to accidents and aren’t a good choice. It’s also important to label all items of clothing, as things can easily get misplaced or used by other memory care residents.

People in the early stages of dementia will be able to wear most of the same items they could previously. However, items that are easier to put on and take off are often best in the later stages of dementia; even then, the person with dementia may require assistance with getting dressed.

Personal care items

Next, we have items for personal care. This includes standard personal hygiene items like shampoo and bodywash, medications, face cloths, and anything else the senior uses for personal care needs.

You’ll need to talk to staff members here, as they may have relevant rules or requests. Some items won’t be appropriate in the later stages of dementia, especially as people can develop a fear of water or may no longer be able to bathe themselves.

Still, in the earlier stages, staff can help with personal care, and familiar products may help the senior feel much more comfortable. Just be aware that staff may limit independent access to items like shampoo so the senior doesn’t accidentally misuse them.

Bring equipment for hobbies to memory care

People in the earlier stages of dementia can typically continue with aspects of familiar hobbies for quite some time. You can facilitate this by packing items that help with hobbies, like the following:

• TV, perhaps with a DVD player: Familiar movies and shows are popular sources of entertainment, especially on quiet evenings. Staff or family members can help to set up movies each time if the person with dementia can’t do so for themselves.
• Knitting or crocheting items: People who participated in these hobbies may still be able to do them in the early stages of dementia, mainly if they stick to familiar patterns.
• Books: Books, including picture books for adults, can bring much joy. People in the early stages of dementia should be able to use these independently, while those in the later stages will need someone to assist.
• Simple puzzles and games: Plenty of simple options are available, as well as some products designed specifically for people with dementia.

Remember, a person’s abilities will decrease as their dementia progresses, and they’ll eventually be unable to engage in most hobbies. This means that activities should become simpler, and the senior may need assistance with hobbies.

Items to help with therapies

Memory care facilities offer a range of therapies to engage with seniors, like aromatherapy and reminiscence therapy. You can pack items to help with these therapies, like the following:

• Scented items: Essential oils, scented lotions, and similar items help create familiar scents. This is helpful at all stages of dementia but is particularly relevant at the late stages, as other activities can be less effective.
• Memory boxes: You can create boxes to help with reminiscence therapy. Think of small and significant items to include, such as photos, familiar items from their younger lives, items with interesting textures and familiar scents, and meaningful keepsakes.

Things to avoid bringing to memory care

While many home items work perfectly in memory care, there are a few things to avoid:

• Anything that might be dangerous: This includes sharp items like scissors, anything made of glass, candles, and electrical appliances. This is especially important in the later stages of dementia, as the person with dementia may not understand how to use items correctly.
• Most valuable items: There’s a decent risk that items will get misplaced or lost, so valuable items should be kept with family members.
• Financial items: Leave credit cards at home, as the person with dementia may no longer know how to use them wisely.
• Alcohol and cigarettes: These are typically prohibited.

Finally, be sure to check with the facility’s staff about what to include and exclude. This is important, as specific requests can vary based on the facility and your loved one’s needs. They may also already supply certain items so you don’t have to bring them to memory care. It’s also critical that you log all items with the facility. Many will have a registry of items in case they are lost or stolen. It’s quite common that individuals with dementia pick up each other’s items out of curiosity or because they believe they belong to them. If you bring in additional items later, those should also be logged in their inventory.