Detailed Checklist for Downsizing and Moving Into an Assisted Living

Psalm 23 Home Care —A Step-by-Step, Room-by-Room Checklist for their next chapter. Print, Share, and utilize to help you or your loved ones.

Printable Downsizing Checklist for Assisted Living

1. Start With a Plan

• ☐ Set a move date

• ☐ Decide what items will move to the assisted living facility

• ☐ Identify what will be kept, donated, sold, given to family, or discarded

• ☐ Create a timeline for each room

• ☐ Assign family members specific responsibilities

• ☐ Schedule donation pickup (Goodwill, Salvation Army, local charities)

• ☐ Arrange for shredding or secure disposal of sensitive documents

2. Important Documents to Keep

(Store these in a labeled folder or fireproof box)

• ☐ Driver’s license / ID

• ☐ Social Security card

• ☐ Passport

• ☐ Insurance policies

• ☐ Medicare/Medicaid paperwork

• ☐ Medical records

• ☐ Power of Attorney documents

• ☐ Banking information

• ☐ Homeownership papers, rental agreements, or mortgage

• ☐ Birth/marriage certificates

• ☐ Legal documents (wills, trusts, DNR, etc.)

3. Clothing & Personal Items

Keep only what fits, is comfortable, and will be used regularly.

• ☐ 7–10 comfortable outfits

• ☐ Easy-slip shoes & non-slip slippers

• ☐ Sweater/jacket

• ☐ Undergarments & socks

• ☐ Pajamas

• ☐ Laundry bag or hamper

• ☐ Seasonal items (minimal — rotate with storage bin kept by family)

• ☐ Jewelry (only meaningful or regularly worn pieces)

4. Bedroom Items

• ☐ Bed linens (2 sets)

• ☐ Blanket/comforter

• ☐ Memory foam pillow (optional)

• ☐ Small alarm clock

• ☐ Family photos in lightweight frames

• ☐ Small decorative items (limit to 2–3)

• ☐ Essential bedside items:

  • ☐ Glasses

  • ☐ Medications

  • ☐ Tissues

  • ☐ Lotion

5. Bathroom Essentials

• ☐ Toothbrush & toothpaste

• ☐ Hairbrush / comb

• ☐ Shaving supplies

• ☐ Shampoo/conditioner

• ☐ Soap/body wash

• ☐ Towels (2 bath + 2 hand + washcloths)

• ☐ Nail care items

• ☐ Skincare items

• ☐ Shower caddy (if needed)

6. Living Room Items

(Choose small, meaningful, and functional items only.)

• ☐ Favorite recliner or small chair (if space allows)

• ☐ Small throw blanket

• ☐ 2–3 framed photos

• ☐ TV (if not provided by the facility)

• ☐ Remote controls labeled

• ☐ Small bookshelf or organizer

• ☐ Personal hobby items (knitting supplies, puzzles, books)

7. Kitchen & Dining

(Most assisted living facilities provide meals — keep only essentials.)

• ☐ Small mini-fridge (if allowed)

• ☐ Favorite mug

• ☐ 1–2 cups or dishes (if used)

• ☐ Snacks permitted by the facility

• ☐ Water bottle or labeled cup

• ☐ Medicine organizer (weekly or monthly)

8. Medical & Safety Items

• ☐ Updated medication list

• ☐ Medical equipment (walker, cane, wheelchair)

• ☐ Label medicine with instructions

• ☐ Emergency contacts list

• ☐ List of allergies

• ☐ Doctor’s contact information

• ☐ Reorder schedule for medications

9. Sentimental Items

(Carefully choose what brings joy, fits, and is meaningful.)

• ☐ Photo albums

• ☐ Letters/cards

• ☐ Family heirlooms (only what can be safely stored or displayed)

• ☐ Memory box with small keepsakes

• ☐ Items passed to family members:

  • ☐ Jewelry

  • ☐ Collectibles

  • ☐ Journals

  • ☐ Artwork

10. Items to Donate

• ☐ Clothing no longer worn

• ☐ Old furniture

• ☐ Duplicate household items

• ☐ Kitchenware not needed

• ☐ Books & magazines

• ☐ Decor

• ☐ Tools

• ☐ Craft supplies

11. Items to Sell

• ☐ Furniture in good condition

• ☐ Antiques

• ☐ Collectibles

• ☐ Electronics

• ☐ Power tools

• ☐ Home décor

(Tip: Consider Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or a family-run estate sale.)

12. Items to Discard

• ☐ Expired medication

• ☐ Old paperwork

• ☐ Damaged clothing

• ☐ Broken appliances

• ☐ Expired food

• ☐ Old toiletries

13. Final Move-Out Tasks

• ☐ Deep clean home or hire cleaning company

• ☐ Cancel utilities or transfer services

• ☐ Forward mail

• ☐ Turn in keys / garage remotes

• ☐ Give updated address to family and doctors

• ☐ Walk through the home one final time