What to pack for assisted living can seem like a small thing until you’re staring at a closet full of stuff and not sure what matters. If you’re helping a parent with dementia move into assisted living, packing right can make a big difference in how they feel during the transition.
Heritage at Twin Creeks works with families across Allen and Collin County who are getting ready for this next step. We’ve seen firsthand that familiar, thoughtful items can reduce stress, improve comfort, and help a new place feel more like home.
Why Packing the Right Things Matters
For someone living with dementia, small changes can feel big. A new routine, a new room, and new faces can be overwhelming. But personal items—things they see every day—can help keep them grounded.
Bringing too much can add to the confusion, and not bringing enough can make them feel out of place. The goal is to find a balance. Keep it simple. Focus on comfort and familiarity.
Start With the Important Documents
You’ll want a small folder or binder with these:
- ID and insurance cards
- Medication list with doses
- Diagnosis and brief medical history
- Power of attorney or healthcare proxy
- Advance directives or any legal documents
These help the Heritage at Twin Creeks care team get everything set up, including Concierge Medicine access for easy medical coordination.
What to Pack for Clothing
Choose clothes that are easy to put on, soft, and not fussy. Your parent might need help dressing, so think about comfort over style.
Bring:
- Elastic-waist pants and slip-on shoes
- T-shirts or button-ups (avoid small buttons or tricky fasteners)
- Sweaters or jackets for layering
- Pajamas, underwear, socks
- Weather-appropriate outfits for Texas heat and cooler months
Don’t forget to label each item with its name. It helps prevent mix-ups with the community laundry service.
Personal Care Items
Stick with what’s familiar. Even basic hygiene products can bring comfort if they smell or feel like home.
Pack:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hairbrush or comb
- Lotion or shampoo, they already use
- Glasses, dentures, or hearing aids
- Any daily-use grooming tools
While the community provides these items, having your parents’ preferred brands or scents helps keep their routine stable.
Familiar and Comforting Items
These are the most essential things to pack for memory care. They help trigger recognition and calm anxiety.
Good options include:
- Their favorite blanket or throw
- Framed family photos (include names on the back)
- Books they love or used to read often
- Stuffed animals or mementos
- Religious or spiritual items, like a rosary or prayer card
Small details like this go a long way toward helping your parents feel more settled and less lost in their new space.
Activities and Hobbies
Don’t forget the fun stuff. Bringing a few hobbies from home keeps your parent mentally active and emotionally connected.
Consider:
- Adult coloring books or puzzles
- Music playlists or a CD player with favorite songs
- A photo album or scrapbook
- Sensory fidget items for comfort
- A notebook or sketchpad
These help our team at Heritage at Twin Creeks create daily routines and engagement that are more personal and meaningful.
What to Leave at Home
Not everything belongs in their new room. Some things can be unsafe or just not useful anymore.
Skip:
- Jewelry, valuables, or large sums of cash
- Sharp objects or tools
- Medications (our care team manages these)
- Large furniture (our suites are already furnished)
- Too many decorative items may cause clutter
A simple setup makes the space easier to navigate and reduces stress for someone with dementia.
How We Support the Move at Heritage at Twin Creeks
We don’t just open the door and say Good luck. Our team supports families before, during, and after the move.
Here’s what we do:
- Help you figure out what to bring based on your parents’ personalities and habits
- Arrange their suite with comfort and familiarity in mind
- Welcome them with warm, patient care from day one
- Keep you involved and informed during the adjustment
- Use our 7 Dimensions of Wellness to guide activities and social support
We understand how emotional this time can be. Our memory care team works hard to make it easier for the resident and you.
Let’s Make the Move Easier
You don’t have to pack perfectly. Focus on what comforts your parents and helps them feel safe.
If you’re preparing for assisted living in Allen, TX, Heritage at Twin Creeks supports you with Memory Care, Assisted Living, and Respite Care that respects every resident’s unique story.
Want a custom checklist or need help planning the move?
Call us today to schedule a tour. Let’s take it one step at a time—and get it right from the start.