Parents moving to ALF. Should we take mom's current bed to keep things as familiar as possible?

Daughter89, I would vote on taking Mom's current bed. If the room allows, try to set up her furniture in the same way she has a home. So when she does wake up, she sees the same items she sees at home. Use the same bedspread. Usually the Assisted Living has their own sheets and towels. If not, use the same sheets/towels Mom has.

When my Dad moved into Assisted Living, I was able to use his double bed, and was able to put his highboy dresser to the left of the bed, plus his nightstand which he was use too. Dad was use to nightlights so that helped as I think waking up in a totally dark room would be unnerving, I know it is for me.

Another vote for keeping things as much the same and familiar as possible. That's what we did for my MIL. Things will change eventually and adjustments will need to be made.

Just a comment here: when we moved my inlaws, she was sitting in her favorite chair with the same afghan over it, surrounded by her same furniture and questioning why we had not moved her furniture. I agree it is a good idea to move as much as possible to keep it the same but it was funny. We were making her bed with her same comforter and we heard her exclaim to my FIL, "What do you mean we are staying here, what about our stuff" .

When Mom moved in with us (disaster all around), I wanted to move her dresser, nightstand, ugly recliner that she loved, & whatever else that would be familiar to her & could fit in the 2 rooms that she was to be using. Sister, who had the truck & I needed her help, nixed the idea because she didn’t feel like it (her words). Nothing was familiar to Mom, so her anxiety went off the charts. As did everyone else in our home.

Mom lasted 2 months with us and then we moved her to AL. All those items were still available, and it was suggested by the AL director to furnish Mom’s room with familiar items. Well, golly gee! “My chair!” “My dresser!” Words from a woman who was living in her own world.

Bottom line, I regret not trusting my instincts & bringing those items to our home with Mom. Would the outcome have been the same, with Mom moving to AL? Probably. I do believe that Mom wouldn’t have been as stressed if she had familiar items surrounding her.

Yes. When I needed a new bed, one reason for getting another Queen after my DH passed was - I have sheets for it!

So your Mother has sheets for a full size bed - a very good reason to take her current bed. Not only is she used to it, she's used to her own sheets.

Good Luck.

I agree that her own bed will be best, at least at the beginning. Once she's settled and they want more space in their room, a twin bed could be brought in if she wants. And as freqflyer suggests, same dresser if possible, and nightlights. I got some that are movement activated because there is plenty of outside light coming in her window to let her know where she is.

Take her bed and anything else that is familiar. Try to set up the room as close to hers as possible. Do not take anything worth money. Like nick nacks or jewelry.

Mom was in a nice AL. I noticed her room wasn't being dusted and questioned it. Seems one of the cleaning people had broken an expensive figurine dusting. So, she was told not to dust where there were figurines. But, she also didn't dust Moms headboard, TV stand or the window ledge.

My mom had us move her couch in her room instead of a bed. That way it looked like a living room for when she had guests and then would sleep on the couch at night. Worked out well for her.

I moved everything from a spare bedroom when my husband went to AL - bed, bureau, bedspread, pictures, etc. He never once questioned sleeping there. I would move her bed and if you need to change it later, do it then when it’s not as important to her. Good luck.

Yes, take the bed! Also take some pictures of her dresser, medicine cabinet, closet. Recreating her room will help her feel at home. If she has a favorite coffee cup, or bedside lamp? Take it. Have her pick some things out,,,this is her new home.
Prayers for your journey...and most of all enjoy her.