Moving into a care home brings with it a mixture of emotions, for the person moving in and for their family, and it is entirely normal for there to be anxiety, uncertainty and sadness alongside relief that the right level of support is now in place.
Knowing what to expect before, during and after the move can make an enormous difference to how smoothly the transition goes.
Before the Move: What Happens First
Once a care home has been chosen and a place confirmed, there are several practical steps that typically take place before move-in day.
Pre-Admission Assessment
A good care home will carry out a pre-admission assessment before a resident arrives. This is a conversation, often conducted at home or in hospital, between a senior member of the care team and the prospective resident and their family. Its purpose is to understand the person’s needs, preferences, routines and medical history so that the team is fully prepared from day one.
Information gathered at this stage typically includes current medical conditions and medications, daily routines and preferences around washing, dressing and mealtimes, food likes and dislikes and any dietary requirements, mobility and continence needs, life history, hobbies and interests, and any particular concerns or anxieties the person has about moving into care.
This information feeds directly into the initial care plan, which is the document that guides how the team supports the resident in their first days and weeks. Our article on what a care plan is and how it works explains this in more detail.
Sorting the Practicalities
Before move-in day, families will typically need to:
- Sign the resident contract and confirm the fee arrangement
- Arrange for any local authority or NHS funding to be confirmed in writing
- Notify the GP and arrange for medical records to be transferred or shared with the care home
- Label personal clothing and belongings
- Decide which personal items, furniture and photographs to bring
- Notify relevant organisations of the change of address, including banks, pension providers and HMRC
- Redirect post if necessary
Most care homes will provide a list of what to bring and what is already provided. It is worth asking in advance about the size of the room, what furniture is already there, and whether there is space for a personal chair, a television or a small piece of furniture that means something to the person moving in.
Move-In Day: What to Expect
Move-in day can feel overwhelming, and it is worth managing expectations on all sides. It is rarely a smooth, emotionally uncomplicated day, and that is normal.
A well-run care home will have a named member of staff assigned to welcome a new resident and their family. They will show the resident around, introduce them to key staff, and help them to get comfortable in their room. The pace should be led by the resident, not rushed.
Some practical things to expect on the day:
- A welcome from the home manager or a senior carer
- A tour of the home, including communal areas, the dining room and outdoor spaces
- Help settling belongings into the room and arranging personal items
- An introduction to the mealtime routine and what is on the menu
- A medication handover if the resident is on regular prescriptions
- Paperwork to complete if not already done, including consent forms
“At Blissful Care Homes, we know that moving day is significant for everyone involved. We take time to welcome each new resident properly, to make sure their room feels personal to them from the start, and to reassure families that their loved one is in good hands.”
Blissful Care Homes
The First Few Weeks: What is Normal
The settling-in period is different for everyone. Some people adapt quickly and surprise their families with how positively they respond to the structure, company and support a care home provides. Others take longer, and may express distress, ask to go home repeatedly, or seem withdrawn and unhappy in the early weeks.
Both experiences are normal. Moving into a care home is a major life change, and it takes time to adjust. Families should try not to judge the experience on the first few days alone.
Common Emotions and Behaviours in the Early Weeks
- Feeling sad, confused or disoriented in an unfamiliar environment
- Asking to go home, even if home was no longer a safe option
- Being quieter or less engaged than usual
- Difficulty sleeping in a new bed and new surroundings
- Frustration or irritability as new routines are established
- Gradual improvement as faces become familiar and routines feel comfortable
For residents with dementia, the settling-in period can take longer and require additional patience and reassurance from both the care team and family. The familiarity of personal belongings, photographs and music can all help. Our article on understanding the stages of dementia explains how the condition affects a person’s ability to adjust to new environments.
How the Care Plan Develops
The initial care plan is a starting point, not a finished document. In the first weeks, the care team will get to know the resident properly and refine the plan based on what they observe. What works and what does not, what a person enjoys and what causes them distress, what level of support they actually need day to day as opposed to what was anticipated.
Most care homes carry out a formal review of the care plan within the first four to six weeks of admission. Families are invited to be part of this process and should feel encouraged to share their observations, including anything they feel is not quite right or any preferences they think the team may not yet be aware of.
Family Visits in the Early Weeks
There is no single rule about how often families should visit in the first weeks. Some care homes suggest a short period of reduced visiting immediately after admission, to give the resident time to begin building relationships with staff rather than focusing on family departures. Others encourage frequent visits from the start. It is worth discussing this with the home manager and following the lead of what seems to work for your particular relative.
What matters most is that visits are calm and positive where possible. Arriving with warmth and leaving in a way that is reassuring rather than rushed makes a real difference to how a resident feels after a visit.
Families also have the right to speak with the care team at any time, to be kept informed of any changes in health or wellbeing, and to raise concerns promptly if something does not feel right.
Practical Things Worth Knowing
| Topic | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Medication | The care home will manage all medications. Bring a full, up-to-date medication list on move-in day and confirm the GP handover with the home manager |
| Mealtimes | Most homes have set mealtimes but will accommodate preferences. Ask about the menu, portion sizes and how dietary needs are managed |
| Laundry | Most homes manage laundry on site. Label all clothing clearly before move-in to avoid items going missing |
| Personal finances | The home will explain how the resident’s personal allowance is managed. Keep a record of any cash or valuables brought to the home |
| Healthcare | The home will register the resident with a local GP if needed and coordinate with other healthcare providers. Ask how appointments are arranged and how you will be informed |
| Activities | Ask for a copy of the activities programme and encourage your relative to try things that match their interests, even if they are reluctant at first |
| Raising concerns | The home should have a clear complaints process. If something is wrong, raise it promptly with the manager rather than letting it build |
When Things Do Not Feel Right
Not every care home experience starts well, and it is important for families to trust their instincts. If a resident seems consistently unhappy beyond what would be expected as a normal settling-in period, if concerns raised with staff are not being acted on, or if something about the care being delivered does not seem right, these are signs that further action may be needed.
Start by speaking directly with the home manager. If the response is unsatisfactory, escalate to the provider’s head office or contact the CQC at cqc.org.uk. In cases of serious concern about safety or welfare, contact the local authority’s adult safeguarding team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to settle into a care home?
There is no fixed timeline. Some people settle within a few weeks. For others, particularly those with dementia or those who were very reluctant to move, it can take two to three months before they feel genuinely at home. Consistent visits, familiar objects and warm relationships with staff are the biggest factors in how quickly this happens.
Can my relative come home for visits?
In most cases yes, where this is safe and appropriate. Day visits home or trips out with family can be a positive part of life in a care home. Discuss this with the care team, who can advise on what is feasible given your relative’s needs.
What if my relative keeps asking to go home?
This is extremely common, particularly in the early weeks and particularly for residents with dementia. It does not necessarily mean the person is unhappy; it often expresses a broader longing for familiarity and control rather than a literal desire to return to a specific place. The care team should have experience in responding to this sensitively. Our article on when someone with dementia should go into a care home addresses this in more depth.
What happens if my relative’s needs change after they move in?
A good care home will review and update the care plan as needs change, without the resident needing to move again if the home can meet their evolving needs. Ask the home manager about this before committing, particularly if you anticipate that your relative’s condition may progress.
Can my relative bring their own furniture?
Many care homes allow and encourage residents to bring a personal chair, small pieces of furniture, photographs and meaningful objects. Confirm what is possible before move-in day so you can plan accordingly.
Talk to Blissful Care Homes
If you are preparing for a loved one to move into one of our homes across Leicester, Birmingham, Worcestershire or Middlesex, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process. We take the time to get to know each resident before they arrive and to make sure families feel supported throughout the transition.
You may also find our guide to choosing the right care home and our article on the types of care we offer useful as you plan ahead.
