Moving into Residential Care: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Change is expected in life; after all, nothing ever stays the same. But simply knowing that doesn’t make it any less daunting. It’s the uncertainty that makes change unsettling, but preparation can help ease those feelings.

While it’s not possible to know for sure what will come of change, preparing can alleviate anxiety.

Preparing for Residential Care

Residential care provides full-time accommodation and personal care for individuals who need ongoing support with daily living. It offers a safe, supportive environment with professional assistance available 24/7.

Moving into residential care is a big life change, not just for the person moving, but for friends and family. With thoughtful planning and realistic expectations, the transition can be smoother and more positive than you might think.

Steps to Prepare for Residential Care

1. Pack Thoughtfully

Bring essentials plus personal touches:

• Clothes (comfortable and easy to manage)
• Toiletries
• Favourite photos, ornaments, keepsakes
• Reading material, hobby items (knitting, puzzles, music)
• Medical records, prescriptions, hearing aids, glasses, etc.

At both of our care homes, Little Haven and Heartland Manor, we encourage residents to personalise their rooms. Familiar furniture, personal photographs, and meaningful keepsakes help ensure each room feels like home. Whether it’s a favourite chair, framed family pictures, or a well-loved set of books, these small touches go a long way in helping new residents settle in quickly.

2. Prepare for Emotions

Change evokes emotion, and that’s okay. Talk about fears, hopes, and expectations. Planning regular visits from loved ones and getting some dates in the diary is sometimes all it takes to alleviate anxiety.

3. Transition Gradually

Some care homes, such as ours at Everwood in Brockenhurst and Dibden Purlieu, offer short-term stays to help individuals adjust before making a permanent move.

4. Engage with Staff

At Everwood Care, we welcome questions. We want to know your likes and dislikes, routines, and hobbies. This helps us deliver more personalised care from day one.

What to Expect in Residential Care

When you move into a residential care home, your experience will be different depending on the place. At Everwood Care, many routines and comforts remain or can be adapted:

• Personalised care plans: One of the first steps we take is assessing needs—mobility, medication, health conditions, personal preferences—to create a care plan that’s tailored to you.
• Safe, supportive environment: At Everwood Care, staff are available around the clock to assist with day‑to‑day needs, hygiene, mobility, and emergencies.
• Social opportunities and community: You’ll be encouraged to participate in group activities, socialise with other residents, and enjoy quieter time when you wish.
• Meals and nutrition: Most residential homes, including Everwood, provide three meals a day, often catering to dietary needs, and sometimes allowing meals in your room if required. We offer a choice of meals at Little Haven and Heartland Manor and offer our residents a sherry to boost their appetite.
• Freedom to personalise your room: At Everwood Care, residents are welcome to bring cherished belongings, photos, or small pieces of furniture to make the space feel like home. We find that this helps our residents adjust.

What is Life Like in Residential Care?

Life in residential care can evoke worries about loss of independence. At Everwood Care, our support is meant to enhance independence, not diminish it, which is why we offer structure, but also choice.

Our residents have mealtimes, opportunities for activities, and routines, but they choose when to wake, when to take part in social events, and when to rest. They decide whether they want to participate in the range of activities we provide, such as arts and crafts, group outings, gardening, music, gentle exercise, and day trips. And we even apply this to mealtimes. Having a shared common space for socialising, dining, and relaxation opens opportunities for company, friendship, and conversation, and while some of our residents value this, others prefer their own company, which is why they have the choice to eat in their room.

Moving into Residential Care: A New Beginning

Transitioning to residential care is a shift toward a life enriched with support, community, and safety. Sure, there will be adjustments, emotions, and perhaps logistical bumps along the way, but with thoughtful preparation, the process doesn’t have to be stressful.

It’s natural to feel uncertain, but don’t forget that change can also bring excitement and the opportunity for a new beginning.

If you or a loved one is considering a move to Everwood Care, we’d love to talk, answer questions, and help make the transition as calm and reassuring as possible. Or, to arrange a visit, please give us a call on 023 8084 7222; we’d love to show you around!