So how much furniture can I take to a memory care facility?

One thing I found out was that it was better to have some empty space in the room for maneuvering when my mom had to use her walker. Also, the fewer things she could do in her room made it more appealing for her to get out into the common room with other people. It turned out she didn't even need a dresser, as they had an open closet with shelves so she could see things easily. They never got her TV working, so she had to go watch in the common room. I took a bed, nightstand with pretty lamp, comfortable chair for her sit at the window and watch the goings on outside, TV, and the little dresser she didn't need. I had gotten for her the little radio-like player from the Alzheimer's store for easily accessed music, the dog that barked and cat that meowed from the Alzheimer's store, books, and art on the walls. After getting covid she started eating her toothpaste, so she couldn't have much in her bathroom either. She had very little in memory care compared to what she had at assisted living.

I find it odd that they didn’t give you the specs of the room. Obviously that info helps a lot!

Regarding the bed; I had no idea what to get mom so got her the twin version of the same bed I have because I like it. It’s a Mattress Firm mattress on a platform where the head of the bed can be raised electronically by a simple button. Even their super thick mattresses can bend up if need be. This bed isn’t high off the ground and my mom - who is never shy about complaining - said it was comfy. Mattress Firm often has sales and at least here the delivery folks are great. So that’s my 2 cents.

I also wish I’d gotten a recliner waaaaay sooner.

Best of luck to you!

The memory care for my BIL came with a bed(its a hospital bed) but we put in his recliner, ottoman. It came with a small dresser so we put his TV on that. It had a built in wardrobe for hanging his clothes and then it has 2 drawers to put things in and a shelf that is behind closed door that you could put other stuff in. The family put in a shelf to hold his small fridge and drinks. Put pictures on the wall for him and they had a table like the hospital has to eat on if you stayed in your room.

Minimal. If it's just one room, it might be 12' x 12' or 14' and have room for a small dresser, TV stand, bed and nightstand. Some people like to have a recliner in the room. You don't have to buy new things - get bargains at thrift shops or consignment places. Then donate it afterward.

You should be able to go online to the facility's website and see a brochure showing room layout and measurements.

We took a full size bed so hub had alittle more room a small dresser nightstand and a comfy overstuffed chair as he couldn’t maneuver or figure out a recliner . Lamp on bedside a small tv if he wanted to rest in room . Shower chair 2 sets sheets a blanket comforter( he picked out) toiletries . 2 Towel set and clothes for 7-10 days. Laundry basket coat hangers to put clothes in wardrobe and pics to tape up . Later since he’s so active and needed extra calories I put a few granola bars he likes in a basket on nightstand

Rogerwyatt7890: The facility should be able to answer your question as to the square footage of the room. OR presumably you may have been familiar with its dimensions when you toured the place.

My mom's MC had an armoire/storage built in. I moved in her bedroom set and 2 armchairs with ottomans, lamps, and I had them put up pictures and artwork from her home. I wanted it to be nice for her since she is somewhat cognizant at this point. Her room is a very nice size at this place. Some that I touted were smaller or had built in shelves, etc. You won't know unless you go see the room.

In my case,MC was basically a studio apartment. Just the basics, chair,TV and stand,an end table for a lamp, twin bed,TV tray(s). There's no stove but maybe a microwave so some dishes and silverware. Closet space for hanging clothes and bathroom storage for towels. You could possibly fit a small/tall dresser for undergarments in the closet. Clothes should be enough for 2 weeks. A couple of laundry baskets for the staff with the room number on them. Keep in mind that the less is best,eventually you will need to move it out.

Did you tour the facility beforehand? I went to tour a few facilities when I was considering placement for my mom.

They showed me the different units that were available.

Can you visit the facility and look at the room, take measurements to determine what will fit inside the room?

Yes, I had a list of things that Mom needed to bring. One was she was allowed a recliner or loveseat. She had a twin bed, a dresser, a TV table and TV. Small bookcase. I took no nicknacks or anything worth money. I had to supply her towels, sheets and comforter. Toiletries, toilet paper and Depends. Her clothes, I only took seasonal.

Don't take anything you hope to get back after she dies. Nice furniture will get trashed. Smaller items may go missing, never to return. Residents routinely "shop" each other's rooms, taking items that appeal to them. They may also constantly pack, rearrange, or dispose of their own items in anticipation of returning home. Even if clearly labeled, it is difficult for memory care staff to keep up with.

Go and measure the room, that is what my bother and I did, simple.

Honestly - I'm surprised there is zero furniture- while I realize that some facilities like to allow residents to personalize - in a memory care facility especially I would think they would want to ensure that a special type of bed that they can manage would be in every room - one that they could raise and lower for example, and change out the mattress for an air mattress.

From experience - even though FIL's facility was fully furnished - I would caution you to limit what you provide. The facility where my FIL was provided a bed, bedside table, a wardrobe/armoire, and a chair. He was allowed more furniture when he was in the private room - and he wanted us to bring his computer and his desk - but we could already see the writing on the wall (his cognition was already slipping) and we bided our time and didn't take it when he first moved up there. He definitely didn't need it. He also didn't need a huge load of clothes or toiletries.

You are going to want to go and look for yourself. Less is more. They don't need a lot of extra stuff, especially when they are having to learn a new place and it's all just extra stuff to bump into or clutter up the space.

I've never heard of moving a parent into a memory care AL, sight unseen! You are asking US the size and layout of your mother's room in her Memory Care???? I've never seen two ALs with the same rooms, or all the same rooms in the same facility! I picked my mother's room from a few that were available, after inspecting the place and the rooms and everything they offered, and speaking with the staff and the Executive Director. This after she was already living in the main building for 5 years previously.

Furthermore, there are rules regarding what residents are allowed to bring with them and not allowed to bring with them. Ie: glass items that are breakable and many other items. Personal belongings require names and room numbers written on them in magic marker, like clothing and sheets. There is a big list of directions for you to follow.

I find it extremely odd you have none of this important information 1 week before move in for mom. No knowledge of the configuration of her room or what size bed will even fit in there! I had to get my mother a twin mattress on a daybed frame for her suite, so she had room for guests to sit and to move around herself with the recliner and tv table, etc. These details are not something to be left for the last minute, trust me on that.

Go down there and scope things out beforehand, if you want everything to run smoothly on move in day. And to make sure the place meets your standards for cleanliness and amenities.

Go on the facility website to look at the specs. Generally you can bring her bed, nightstand and dresser. Maybe a bistro set and a couple of armchairs. Bathroom should have some storage. You can call the marketing director to see if some room specs can be emailed

The obvious answer is to go and have a look yourself. Take photos and measurements. It’s not just ‘the size of the room’ that matters, it is also affected by placement of doors, windows and any built-ins.