Health and care
How to prepare a loved one with dementia for a move
Updated October 15, 2026 · Reviewed against official sources
Moving is tiring for anyone. For someone with Alzheimer's or another dementia, a new place can feel like the ground giving way: they don't recognize the hallways, don't know where the bathroom is, don't understand why they're there. And for the family, especially in Latino homes where children are expected to provide care at home, moving day often comes loaded with guilt.
There's no such thing as a perfect move, but there are ways to make it smoother. These recommendations are based on guidance from the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging (NIA).
Before the move
Choose without rushing, if you can. The Alzheimer's Association recommends visiting several facilities and going back once or twice at different times, including mealtime, to get to know the rhythm of the place. Ask whether they have a special memory care unit for people with dementia and how they train their staff. We explain the differences in our guide to memory care for Alzheimer's and dementia.
Meet the staff before the day. The NIA advises introducing yourself to the team and talking with them about how to make the transition easier. Ask who will welcome your loved one, who speaks Spanish and what they do when a new resident is distressed.
Tell them who your loved one is. The staff don't know their story. The Alzheimer's Association suggests sharing where they were born, childhood memories, family stories, their trade, their hobbies, what they like and don't like, and their morning and evening routines. For a grandmother who prayed the rosary every afternoon, or a grandfather who listened to Spanish-language radio when he woke up, those details can be more calming than any medicine.
Write a one-page sheet with:
- What they like to be called ("don Chuy," "doña Carmen," "mamá Lupe").
- The language they're most comfortable in and key words they use.
- Favorite foods and the ones they refuse.
- Times for sleeping, bathing and meals.
- What calms them (music, a prayer, a photo) and what upsets them.
Get the paperwork in order. A move involves paperwork and time to share information. Have the list of medications, insurance cards, the power of attorney and the advance directives on hand. If you don't have them yet, read our guide to power of attorney and advance directives.
How to talk with them about the move
There's no single answer. Some families explain the move in simple words a few days before; others prefer not to announce it far in advance so it doesn't cause days of distress. Talk with the doctor or the facility's team about what's best in your case, depending on the stage of the disease.
What the NIA does recommend: listen to their worries, but don't argue with them about why they need to be there. Long explanations or logical reasoning often increase anxiety. Short, calm phrases work better: "They're going to take good care of you here, Mom," "I'll come see you tomorrow."
Moving day
- Set up the room before they arrive. If the facility allows it, bring photos, their blanket, a familiar pillow or their favorite armchair. The Alzheimer's Association suggests asking which personal items you can bring, because they help the room feel like home. See our list of what to bring to the facility.
- Choose the best time of day. If your loved one is usually calmer in the morning, plan the arrival for that time.
- Keep the group small. A big group of relatives can overwhelm them. One or two trusted people are enough.
- Take care of yourself, too. The NIA warns that moving day is often stressful for the person and for their caregiver, and suggests leaning on a social worker for support.
The first few weeks
The Alzheimer's Association explains that a change of place can cause more confusion for a while, along with sleep problems, wandering, falls or changes in appetite. Your loved one needs time to adjust. Ask the staff how they'll support them.
Some ideas:
- Visit regularly and at different times. Write down questions about medications or routines, and talk them over with the charge nurse.
- Build a relationship with the staff: they see your loved one every day and are your best allies. A hello, a "thank you" and sharing what works for you at home go a long way.
- Take part in the care plan meetings; the resident and their representative have the right to be included. We explain how to prepare in our guide to the care plan meeting.
- If your loved one asks to "go home," don't take it as a failure. It's common with dementia, even when the person is in their own home.
When to call the doctor or 911. Talk with the doctor if you notice a sudden change in behavior, a lot of sleepiness, fever, pain, or that they stop eating or drinking. Call 911 for a fall with a blow to the head, trouble breathing, fainting or signs of a stroke, such as one side of the face drooping or sudden trouble speaking.
Support for you
The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) is free, answers every day around the clock and offers help in Spanish. If you're still looking for a place, you can use our search tool, see options near you and bring our visit checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Should I visit every day the first week?
It depends on your loved one. For some people, daily visits give them a sense of security; for others, visits remind them of home and leave them unsettled when it's time to say goodbye. Ask the staff how your loved one seems after each visit, and adjust together.
What do I do if they ask me to take them home?
Answer calmly and lovingly, without arguing: "Today we're staying here; I'll come back tomorrow." Changing the subject, going for a walk or looking at photos together usually helps more than explaining.
What if they still haven't adjusted after a few weeks?
Talk with the care team and the doctor. Sometimes changes to the routine, the room or the visiting times help. If the family and the team conclude that another type of place would suit them better, you can plan for it ahead of time.
If you haven't talked with your loved one about the move yet, our guide on how to talk with Mom or Dad about moving may help.
Moving your loved one isn't abandoning them. It's giving them care that you may no longer be able to give on your own, and still being their family at every visit. If you feel guilty, read this post.
This post is for information only and doesn't replace your doctor's guidance.
Sources
- Alzheimer's Association, "Changing Care Providers": https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/care-options/changing-care-providers (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Alzheimer's Association, "Long-Term Care": https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/care-options/long-term-care (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Alzheimer's Association, "Choosing Care Providers": https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/care-options/choosing-care-providers (accessed October 15, 2026)
- Alzheimer's Association, 24/7 Helpline: https://www.alz.org/help-support/resources/helpline (accessed October 15, 2026)
- NIA, "Alzheimer's Caregiving: Finding Long-Term Care": https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-caregiving/alzheimers-caregiving-finding-long-term-care (accessed October 15, 2026)
- CDC, signs of stroke: https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs-symptoms/index.html (accessed October 15, 2026)
This is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Rules vary by state and by year: confirm with the official agency that applies to you.
Keep reading
Memory care (Alzheimer's)
Memory care for Alzheimer's and dementia: what it is, when it's needed, what to ask on a visit, how each state regulates it and how to pay for it.
What to bring when moving to assisted living or a nursing home
A moving-day checklist for assisted living or a nursing home: documents, medicines, labeled clothes, comforting items, and what to leave at home.
Alzheimer's in Latinos: higher risk and early warning signs
Hispanics are 1.5 times as likely as white people to have dementia. Learn the 10 early signs, what's normal with aging, and when to see a doctor.
Guilt about putting Mom in a nursing home: how to cope
If moving your mom to a nursing home feels like abandoning her, you're not alone. Why it weighs so heavily on Latino families and how to decide calmly.
