The big picture
Quick answer: Before your parent moves into assisted living in California, you'll need a medical assessment from their doctor, usually on state form LIC 602A, done within the past year and including TB test results. You'll also need the home's admission packet, a current medication list and copies of legal papers. Then pack light, label everything, and plan to visit a lot the first couple of weeks.
2 to 4 weeks before: paperwork
- Medical assessment (LIC 602A). The home will give you this state form, titled Medical Assessment for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly. Your parent's doctor or another licensed medical professional fills it out. Book the appointment early, because doctors' offices can take a while.
- TB test. California requires the medical assessment to include results of an exam for tuberculosis. That's usually a skin test or a blood test. Ask the home which type they accept and how recent it needs to be.
- Medication list and orders. Write down every medicine, dose and time, including vitamins and as-needed meds. The home may need written orders from the doctor for some of them.
- Admission agreement. Read it before move-in day. Look at the monthly rate, what makes it go up, the notice needed to move out, and refund rules.
- Legal papers. Copies of power of attorney for health care and finances, advance directive, and POLST if your parent has one.
- Insurance cards. Medicare, supplement or Medicare Advantage, drug plan, Medi-Cal, VA card and any long-term care insurance.
- Contacts. Doctors, pharmacy, dentist and family phone numbers for the home's emergency form.
If your parent is coming straight from the hospital, the discharge team can often help get the medical form done. See our hospital discharge guide.
What to pack
Most rooms are smaller than you'd think. Measure the room first. Then pack for about a week of daily life, plus a few things that make it feel like home.
- 7 to 10 outfits that are easy on and off, and shoes with good grip
- Pajamas, a robe and a light sweater
- Toiletries, glasses, hearing aids, dentures, and chargers for everything
- Walker, cane or wheelchair
- Their own bedding and a favorite blanket
- Family photos, a favorite chair, a lamp and a clock that shows the date
- A small TV or radio, if the home allows it
- A few dollars for small things, not large amounts of cash
Leave at home
- Valuable jewelry and important original documents
- Space heaters, extension cords and candles, which many homes don't allow
- Throw rugs that could cause a fall
- Loose pill bottles. Ask the home how they want medications delivered.
Label everything
Things get mixed up in shared laundry. Label every piece of clothing with a laundry marker or iron-on labels. Put your parent's name on glasses cases, hearing aid cases, walkers, chargers and remotes. Take photos of anything valuable and keep a simple list of what you brought.
Tell us what's going on. We'll text you licensed homes that fit, with real prices, and tour them with you.
Moving day
- Set up the room before your parent arrives, if you can. Bed made, photos up, chair in place.
- Arrive late morning, so there's lunch and people around.
- Meet the caregivers on shift and whoever handles meds. Give them a one page "about Mom" sheet with her routines, favorite foods and what calms her down.
- Keep the goodbye short and upbeat. Long goodbyes can make it harder.
The first week or two
Expect some bumps. Many people feel sad, angry or confused at first, especially with memory loss. It usually eases as the routine sets in.
- Visit often, but keep visits short. Join a meal or an activity.
- Check in with staff about sleep, eating and meds.
- Don't promise "it's just for a few weeks" if that isn't true.
- After the first couple of weeks, ask for a quick sit-down with staff to adjust the care plan.
Mail, bills and address changes
- File a change of address with the post office, online at usps.com or at any branch.
- Update the address with Social Security at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Medicare uses the address Social Security has on file.
- Tell the bank, pension, insurance plans, pharmacy, the VA if your parent gets benefits, and the DMV.
- Set up autopay for the home if they offer it.
- Cancel or transfer phone, cable, newspaper and utilities at the old place.
What to do with the house
You don't have to decide right away. Common options are selling, renting it out, or holding it for a while in case the move doesn't stick. Many families use the house to help pay for care.
Talk with a tax professional or an elder law attorney before you sell or put the house in someone else's name. California changed the property tax rules for homes passed from parent to child with Proposition 19 in 2021, and Medi-Cal and VA benefits have their own rules. Our paying for senior care page has more.
Still choosing a place? Start with how to find assisted living for a parent, or browse Valley communities.
Updated September 2026 by Shaun and Nick, co-founders of CalValley Senior Living Advisors.