Moving Into a Retirement Home in Montreal: What to Bring
Understanding Your New Space
Retirement home rooms and apartments vary significantly in size. A private room in a CHSLD might be just 150–200 square feet, while a studio or 1-bedroom in a private RPA like Chartwell or Les Résidences Soleil can range from 350 to 700 square feet. Before buying anything new or deciding what to keep, get the exact floor plan and measurements from the residence.
Most residences provide a bed (hospital-style in care facilities, standard in private RPAs), basic furniture, and window coverings. But many allow — and encourage — personal furnishings to make the space feel like home. A favorite armchair, a small bookshelf, and familiar artwork can transform an institutional room into a personal sanctuary.
Essential Items to Bring
Start with the practical essentials: clothing for all seasons (Montreal winters are real), comfortable shoes with non-slip soles, toiletries and personal care items, medications and a list of prescriptions, important documents (health card, insurance papers, power of attorney), and a phone or tablet with charger.
For comfort and emotional well-being, bring: family photos (framed and ready to hang), a favorite blanket or quilt, one or two meaningful decorative items, a small collection of beloved books, and any hobby supplies (knitting, puzzles, art materials). These personal touches make the biggest difference in the first weeks of adjustment.
Practical additions that many families forget: a good reading lamp (institutional lighting is often harsh), a small clock with large numbers, a personal calendar for tracking activities and visits, and a small fan for temperature control in summer.
What to Leave Behind
Resist the urge to fill every corner. A cluttered retirement home room becomes a safety hazard — trip risks, blocked pathways, and difficulty for staff providing care. Leave behind: large furniture that won't fit, duplicate items, extensive kitchenware (most residences provide meals), heavy rugs, and anything that requires regular maintenance.
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Sentimental items are the hardest to leave. The goal isn't to erase history — it's to curate the most meaningful pieces. A single photo album with the best memories is more impactful than twelve boxes of unsorted photos. One china teacup that belonged to a grandmother is more precious than a full set that gathers dust.
The First Weeks: Settling In Successfully
The adjustment period for a retirement home is typically 4–8 weeks. During this time, encourage your parent to participate in activities, eat in the communal dining room, and meet neighbors. Regular but not overwhelming visits from family help — daily at first, then every other day, then a comfortable routine.
Work with the residence staff to personalize the space. Many Montreal RPAs have maintenance teams who can hang pictures, install shelves, and rearrange furniture. At Up & Out, we offer a complete setup service for retirement home moves: we deliver, unpack, arrange furniture to the resident's specifications, and remove all packing materials. Your parent walks into a room that already feels like theirs.
