178. Can I bring my furniture to senior housing? Ask Lori

Aging in Style with Lori Williams

“Can I bring furniture to senior living?” is a common concern many seniors face when transitioning to a senior community. Each location is different, but senior apartments, independent living, and assisted living communities allow you to bring furniture. If you’re moving to memory care or residential care homes, furniture is often provided or limited. If on Hospice, Medicare will provide furniture like a hospital bed, so you may only need to bring pictures to hang up and make your space homey.

Keep in mind that you’re often downsizing when you go to senior living, especially if you’re moving into a 1-2 bedroom apartment from a larger house. It’s important to think practically and “right size” your new home. What do you have an emotional attachment to that would also make sense for your new space? Pieces that work in your current home may not make sense in the next one, but you can prioritize what matters to you.

As you make your move, consider the resources available to you. There are professional services such as Caring Transitions that can help you categorize your belongings – items you’ll gift to your family, items to bring with you, and items to sell. There’s no need to do it all on your own, and this type of help can make the transition easier and quicker!

You can even take matters into your own hands and bring your family together. They can put sticky notes on the items they want, and then you can offload the rest. Some families fight after life events, so this can help ease the situation so there’s less animosity when someone passes.

No matter what you decide, it’s good to have a plan for your move and take stock of what matters to you and what will work with your lifestyle moving forward.

Topics discussed:

- Downsizing for seniors

- Bringing furniture to senior living

- Senior moving services

- Estate sale preparation

- Transitioning to senior living

- Safety hazards

Takeaways from this episode:

- If you’re moving to memory care or a residential care home and are on hospice, they will provides the hospital bed and medical equipment paid for by Medicare.

- Try a service like Caring Transitions that helps seniors and their families declutter, pack, move, and settle into their new home.

- When downsizing, consider which belongings might be a tripping hazard or be less practical for your new home.

- It’s always a good idea to bring your favorite cozy touches, like blankets and family pictures.

- To help prevent your family from fighting over your stuff when you pass, you can bring everyone together to put sticky notes on what they want. Then get rid of the rest.

Resources discussed:

Episode 02: Stop downsizing, start 'rightsizing'! With realtor Tricia Spurrier

Episode 29: Ready to Downsize? Hear About the Service That’ll Help You Sort, Sell Pack, and Move

Episode 89: A Practical Guide to Letting Go and Finding Unexpected Happiness