Assisted Living New Resident Move-In Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]

The admission and move-in process in assisted living facilities is subject to extensive federal and state regulation under CMS State Operations Manual guidelines and state licensing standards, which mandate comprehensive room inspections, rights disclosures, care plan initiation, and medication reconciliation at the time of admission. Failure to conduct a thorough move-in inspection can result in missed fall hazards, incomplete care planning, and regulatory deficiencies cited during state survey

Industry: Assisted Living
Frequency: Per Event
Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
Role: Resident Care Coordinator
Total Items: 37
Compliance: CMS State Operations Manual Appendix PP F-Tag F622 Transfer and Discharge, CMS State Operations Manual Appendix PP F-Tag F689 Free from Accident Hazards, 42 CFR Part 483.15 Admission, Transfer, and Discharge Rights, ADA Standards for Accessible Design §4.34 Dwelling Units, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code 2021 Chapter 32 Existing Residential Board and Care

Room Physical Condition and Safety

Inspect the assigned room for physical hazards, cleanliness, and structural integrity prior to resident occupancy.

Is the room clean, free of odors, and in move-in-ready condition?
Are all flooring surfaces free of loose edges, tears, curling, or slip hazards?
Are all electrical outlets, light switches, and fixtures functioning and free of damage or exposed wiring?
Is the room temperature within the required comfortable range for resident occupancy?
Are windows operational, lockable from the inside, and equipped with intact screens?
Are all closets, storage areas, and furniture items in serviceable condition and free of previous resident belongings?

Bathroom and Toilet Safety

Verify bathroom accessibility, grab bar installation, emergency call system, and anti-scald compliance.

Are grab bars installed at the toilet and in the shower or tub area per ADA specifications?
Is the bathroom emergency call system functional and reachable from the floor in case of a fall?
Is hot water at the resident bathroom sink and shower set at or below 110°F to prevent scalding?
Are non-slip mats or non-slip surfaces present in the shower and bath areas?
Is the bathroom doorway wide enough (minimum 32 inches clear) for wheelchair or walker access?

Fire and Emergency Safety

Confirm that fire safety equipment, emergency communication, and evacuation information are in place for the new resident.

Is a functioning smoke detector installed in the room and tested prior to resident occupancy?
Is a carbon monoxide detector present and functional in or adjacent to the resident's room?
Is the room's emergency call system (bed and bath) tested and confirmed operational?
Is an evacuation route map posted on the back of the room door or in a clearly visible location?
Has the resident (and family if applicable) been oriented to emergency evacuation procedures and exit locations?

Resident Rights and Admission Documentation

Verify that all required disclosures, rights notifications, and admission agreements are completed and signed.

Has the resident or legal representative received and signed the Resident Rights document?
Has the admission agreement been fully executed with signatures from the resident or authorized representative?
Has the resident been provided with the facility's grievance process and contact information for the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman?
Has a current and valid Durable Power of Attorney or healthcare proxy documentation been placed in the resident's file?
Has the resident's financial responsibility, fee schedule, and optional service charges been explained and documented?

Initial Care Plan and Assessment

Confirm that admission assessments and an initial care plan have been initiated within required timeframes.

Has an initial nursing or resident assessment been completed within 24 hours of admission?
Has a fall risk assessment been completed and documented in the resident's chart?
Has a skin integrity assessment been completed and documented at the time of admission?
Has a cognitive and functional status assessment been initiated or obtained from referring provider?
Has an initial person-centered care plan been created and shared with the resident and family?

Medication Reconciliation and Management

Ensure all medications are reconciled, properly labeled, and stored securely per regulatory requirements.

Has a complete medication reconciliation been performed and documented by a licensed nurse or pharmacist?
Are all resident medications properly labeled with name, dose, route, frequency, and prescriber?
Are all resident medications stored securely in a locked area per state medication storage requirements?
Have known drug allergies and adverse reactions been documented in the medication administration record?
Has the resident or responsible party received and signed a consent for medication administration?

Room Personalization and Resident Wellbeing

Ensure the resident's room environment supports dignity, comfort, and personal preferences from day one.

Has the resident been offered orientation to all facility common areas, dining room, and amenities?
Has the resident been given the opportunity to personalize their room with personal belongings and furnishings?
Has the resident's dietary preferences, restrictions, and allergy information been communicated to dietary services?
Has the resident been introduced to their primary care staff, charge nurse, and activity coordinator?
Are there any immediate concerns, requests, or unmet needs identified by the resident or family at move-in?
Are photos attached documenting room condition and any pre-existing damage at the time of move-in?

Related Assisted Living Checklists

Related Resident Safety Checklists

Why Use This Assisted Living New Resident Move-In Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This assisted living new resident move-in inspection checklist [free pdf] helps assisted living teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for resident care coordinator professionals, this checklist covers 37 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: per event.

Ensures compliance with CMS State Operations Manual Appendix PP F-Tag F622 Transfer and Discharge, CMS State Operations Manual Appendix PP F-Tag F689 Free from Accident Hazards, 42 CFR Part 483.15 Admission, Transfer, and Discharge Rights, ADA Standards for Accessible Design §4.34 Dwelling Units, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code 2021 Chapter 32 Existing Residential Board and Care. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Assisted Living New Resident Move-In Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 37 inspection items across 7 sections: Room Physical Condition and Safety, Bathroom and Toilet Safety, Fire and Emergency Safety, Resident Rights and Admission Documentation, Initial Care Plan and Assessment, Medication Reconciliation and Management, Room Personalization and Resident Wellbeing. It is designed for assisted living operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed per event. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

Who should use this Assisted Living New Resident Move-In Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Resident Care Coordinator professionals in the assisted living industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.