You’ve chosen a suitable care home and now it’s time to start thinking about moving, but what are the things that need to be done? Moving home can seem like a daunting task, especially if you are selling or renting your house first. We want the move to be as stress free as possible, so detailed in this guide are things to consider when moving home. Also see our helpful guide ‘moving into a care home packing list’.
Providers to contact
Moving into a care home is like moving into any other home – there will be companies and providers that you will need to notify. Depending on your circumstances, for example whether you’re selling, renting, leaving your home with a loved one or leaving it empty, the conversations will differ. Below is a checklist of providers and companies you may need to contact.
If a family member or friend is assisting you with your affairs, you may wish to consider putting in place a Lasting Power Of Attorney.
Many service providers and utility companies will only want to talk to the account holder and without the Lasting Power of Attorney in place, they will not be able to act on your behalf. A Lasting power of Attorney is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions, or make decisions on your behalf.
You can find out more by visiting this website https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/overview
Healthcare providers
When moving into a Hallmark Care Home, you can use your own GP, dentist or optician if they are local to the home and you are able to visit their premises (or they are able to come to the home), or we can register you for one of our recommended providers. We will register you so that you don’t need to worry about it.
Services
With utilities, you will need to read the relevant metres and note these for the final accounts. Ask a friend or family member to assist you if you need help with this, or contact the service provider.
- Electoral Register – we facilitate voting in our homes
- Mobile phone provider (if applicable)
- Post office – you may wish to set up a redirection for your post
- Council tax
- Water
- Electricity
- Gas
- Telephone/broadband
- Cable/satellite
- TV licensing
- Clubcards
Other
- Milk delivery
- Magazine/newspaper subscriptions
- Any other subscriptions
- Memberships
- Library
- Vehicle Registration/DVLA
Finance
- Banks or building society
- Contents insurance
- Buildings insurance
- Credit cards
- Pension companies
- Savings/bonds
- Life policies
Moving
Take some time to consider what items you would like to take to your new home. At Hallmark Care Homes, we encourage you to bring your favourite chair (one is supplied if you don’t have one), ornaments, photos/pictures and other special items that will help you feel at home in your new surroundings. You can even bring your TV. We will need to do a health and safety assessment on furniture and large electrical items, please speak to someone in your home of choice for more guidance.
Bear in mind that while our rooms are spacious, you will almost certainly be downsizing, so consider what you would like to do with your remaining items and furniture. If you are selling or renting your house, you may wish to ask a relative or friend to help you sell or give away items that you cannot take. Charity shops will welcome items that can be re-sold and there are online websites such as eBay and Freecycle where you can advertise furniture that you would like to sell or give away and that you would like collected.
Speak to your home of choice if you have any questions about what is provided and also take a look at our ‘moving into a care home packing list’ for ideas on what to pack.
Settling in
Prior to moving in, feel free to come and visit the home as many times as you wish. Most of our homes have a wonderful, vibrant café where you can sit and have a cuppa and meet your new friends. This will help you become familiar with your new surroundings before moving in. You are welcome to bring friends or family with you on these visits.
Once you have moved in, take a look around and get a feel for where everything is. Most of our homes also have a cinema, hair salon and therapy rooms as well as beautiful gardens. Treat yourself to a relaxing film and have your hair and nails done in one of our salons. We also have a full activities plan in our homes, so take a look and see if there is anything you would like to take part in.
Moving into one of our homes is an exciting opportunity to make new friends and experience new activities that you may have felt you couldn’t do anymore. Our care team will support you to live life to the full and we hope you will be very happy in our care.
