Who to inform when moving into a care home

Moving into a care home is a major life change for many people, one that can bring about many emotions for both you and your loved ones. It’s a time of change, but it can also be a time of support and care, where you can focus on the wellbeing of your loved one who is making the transition to a facility. One of the important things to consider during this transition is who to inform when moving into a care home. Keeping the right people and organisations informed helps to make the start of this new chapter as smooth and stress-free as possible.

This guide is here to support you through the process, offering a compassionate approach to the practicalities involved. By making sure that everyone who needs to know is kept in the loop—from family and friends to healthcare providers and financial institutions—you can help maintain peace of mind during this process. With these steps, you can focus on settling your loved one into their new home, knowing that everything else is taken care of.

Preparing for the move

In addition to informing the right people about moving to a care home, it is important to ensure that your loved one has everything they need to settle in comfortably.

Taking the time to organise and prepare for the move will help ease the transition and reduce stress. By focusing on key areas, you can ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. We highlight some of these areas below:

Organising important documents

Before the move, gather and organise all the essential documents your loved one will need. This includes legal papers, financial records, and medical information. Having everything in one place will make it easier to manage any changes and ensure that they are fully prepared for this new chapter in their life.

Arranging transportation and moving services

Coordinating the logistics of the move is another important step. Arranging transportation and moving services ahead of time will ensure that everything goes smoothly. Make sure that any valuables and personal items are safely packed and transported, so they arrive at the care home in good condition.

By taking these steps, you can focus on settling your loved one into their new environment with confidence, knowing that everything has been taken care of.

Who to inform when moving into a care home

Before they leave their current residence, it's essential to know who to inform when moving to a care home and notify the following people and organisations to ensure a smooth transition and continued support:

Local Government

So, who to inform when moving into a care home? Let’s start with the local authorities that need to know. You should inform the local council before your loved one moves to a care home because they may be able to help with costs. They can arrange a needs assessment and a means test to decide whether they will be entitled to financial assistance.Your loved one may qualify for a council tax exemption if they currently live alone and plan to move into residential care, which would leave their home empty.

Family and friends 

The first people you should inform when your loved one is moving to a care home are family and friends, as they can be a fantastic source of support during this transition.

If you're close with your friends and family, they may already know about the upcoming move to a care home. If not, it's important to share the exact date and location with them so they can provide the support you need.

Electoral register

You should also update their details on the electoral register. The easiest way to do this is to use the Register to Vote service on GOV.UK to update their address. You will need their National Insurance number, but you can still register without this if you don’t have it. Failing to update their address on the electoral roll could result in a fine so be sure to do this.

Health professionals

You should also notify any relevant health professionals of their move. This includes their GP, specialists, therapists, hospitals, opticians, and their local pharmacy if they get medication delivered. Don’t forget to get any relevant medical records transferred if necessary.

Department for Work and Pensions

If they are in receipt of benefits, be sure to update their new address, because it may affect their entitlement. For example, if they live in a care home and pay for their own care, they can continue to receive Attendance Allowance. However, if their care is funded by the local authority, they will no longer be eligible. If they are in receipt of universal credit, they will need to update their online journal.

HMRC

They should also notify HMRC if they change address, not only for tax credits but also for other tax-related matters such as income tax and pension arrangements. Ensuring they have their current details helps avoid any potential disruptions or errors in their tax obligations and entitlements.

Utility services

When moving into a care home, remember to inform their utility providers (gas, electricity, and water) of their change of address. They will likely be closing their current accounts. Additionally, they may need to cancel or transfer any service contracts, such as maintenance plans, to avoid unnecessary charges.

Other service providers

Don’t forget to notify their other service providers, such as subscription services, online accounts and store cards, gyms, the DLVA if you have a driving license, and other services. It is likely that they will no longer need some of these services, while for others, they will simply update them with their new address.

Financial services companies

Financial services companies include organisations such as your bank and insurance company. Be sure to inform any banks or building societies when your loved one moves to a care home. If their payment agreements are impacted by the move, be sure to tell their provider about this as well. It's also important to inform financial services like credit card and pension companies.

You will also need to let any relevant insurance companies know when they move to a care home. This includes life insurance companies, health insurance, home insurance and others.

Post Office

Updating the post office about the move to a care home will help to ensure that any post they receive will be sent to their new address. Don't forget to arrange for their mail to be redirected. You can use Royal Mail's redirection service online or visit your local post office to arrange this on their behalf.

Other things to consider when moving to a care home

As you prepare for your loved one's transition to a care home, it's important to not only think about who to inform when moving into a care home but also to consider the services and utilities that may be included in their new living arrangement.

Many care homes provide amenities like broadband, utilities, and television services as part of their overall cost, which can reduce monthly expenses.

Additionally, moving to a care home may mean they no longer have to pay certain taxes, such as council tax. Some facilities even offer additional benefits like an onsite gym, so if they currently pay for these services, they can enjoy the convenience of having them included without extra cost.

Taking the time to review these details can help your loved one settle in with peace of mind, knowing that many of their needs are already taken care of. This also means some of their existing accounts can be cancelled rather than having to be transferred to the care home.

Knowing who to inform before moving into a care home and preparing for care can feel overwhelming. Our GladtoCare Webinar below offers accessible advice on care home options and legal points to consider - tune in below.

Need support moving homes?

Part of knowing who to inform when moving into a care home involves knowing what support is out there. Moving home can be stressful. This is why Autumna offers specialist advice to elderly people moving into a care home. Simply visit our website and contact Your Home Move for further information.

Searching for the best care homes in your area?

If you need tips and advice about choosing the right care home, check out our blog: ‘Choosing the best care homes: a comprehensive guide.’

You can also check out our directory which lets you choose care homes that offer a whole range of options that are suited to the needs of either yourself or your loved one.

To search for these care homes, simply follow the instructions below.

• Start by entering your preferred location.
• Select 'Care Type' and choose ‘Care Home.'
• Click on ‘Additional filters.’
• This will bring you to a dropdown menu that will allow you to select a range of options tailored to your needs.
• Simply check the options that you need and click ‘Search again.’

For personalised assistance with local care services, you can also connect with our helpful advice team on 01892 335 330.