Guide
Papers for move-in
Once your family picks a home, the home will ask for some papers. Here's what most Florida homes ask for, and where to get the state forms. Every home is a little different, so ask the home for its own checklist too.
Read what the video says
Once a family picks a home, the next question is always, "What do we need to bring?" Here's the short list, so move-in day goes smooth.
First, a health assessment from the doctor.
In Florida it's usually called the 1823.
It has to be done within 60 days before the move or 30 days after.
Ask the doctor early.
It's the paper that holds things up the most.
The home reads that form to see if it can meet your mom's needs.
A few things matter most.
Can she get from the bed to a chair, even with help?
Florida doesn't let an assisted living home take someone who's bedridden, unless they're on hospice.
Does she need a nurse to give her medicines?
Some homes have one, and some let you bring in your own.
And the doctor has to say her needs can be met in assisted living.
The doctor writes what's true.
If it shows she needs more care than assisted living gives, that's good to know early, so we can look at the right kind of place.
Next, the legal papers, if she has them.
A health care surrogate.
A power of attorney.
Guardianship papers, if there's a guardian.
A do not resuscitate order, if she signed one.
A living will.
If she doesn't have some of these, that's okay.
Just tell the home.
If she's on hospice, bring the hospice care plan.
If the doctor ordered a special diet, bring that order too.
Bring her photo ID and her insurance cards, like Medicare and Medicaid.
Give those straight to the home.
We never ask for Social Security numbers or account numbers.
Then medicines and supplies.
The home will tell you how they want medicines brought in.
Once you pick a home, they'll usually give you their admission package.
Fill out as much as you can at home, and bring it with you.
On move-in day, the administrator often sits down with you to go over it and make sure every paper is there.
Read the agreement, and ask about anything you don't understand.
Every home is a little different.
If you're not sure what they need, just ask.
The state forms are on our site, under Papers for move-in.
We can help you put it all together, at no cost to your family.
MiamiPlacement.com.
The health assessment (Form 1823)
- A doctor, a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner fills it out after seeing your loved one in person.
- The home uses it to decide if it can meet their needs.
- Florida's rule: it has to be done within 60 days before the move, or within 30 days after.
- Ask the doctor early. It's the paper that holds things up the most.
- Your home may give you its own copy.
What the home looks for on the 1823
- Can your loved one get from the bed to a chair or wheelchair, even with help? Florida doesn't let an assisted living home take someone who's bedridden, unless they're on hospice.
- Do they need a nurse to give their medicines? Some homes have a nurse. Some let you bring in a licensed nurse or home health agency. Ask the home.
- The doctor has to say their needs can be met in an assisted living facility.
- A standard home also can't take someone who needs nursing around the clock, has a stage 3 or 4 bed sore, or is fed through a tube. Homes with an extended congregate care license can help with more, so ask.
- The doctor writes what's true. If it shows your loved one needs more care than assisted living gives, that's good to know early, so you can look at the right kind of place.
- Ask the doctor to fill in every section. Blank sections mean the home has to call back, and that slows things down.
- The home makes the final decision after its own assessment.
Do not resuscitate order (DNRO), only if your loved one wants one
- Florida's form is DH 1896, from the Department of Health. It comes in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
- It has to be printed on yellow paper before it's filled out. Any shade of yellow works. On white paper it isn't valid, and paramedics don't have to honor it.
- It's signed by your loved one, or their representative, and by their doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
- Copies printed on yellow paper count too. Bring one to the home.
- Whether to have one is a personal decision for your loved one and their doctor.
Health care surrogate and living will
- A health care surrogate is the person who makes health decisions if your loved one can't.
- A living will says what treatment they want, or don't want, at the end of life.
- Florida law includes a suggested form for each. Both need two adult witnesses.
- If your loved one already signed these, bring copies to the home.
Power of attorney and guardianship
- There's no state form for a power of attorney, and Florida has strict rules for signing one. Talk to an elder law attorney.
- If there's a guardian, the court issues the letters of guardianship. Bring a copy to the home.
- The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service if you need help finding an attorney.
Other things to bring
- Photo ID and insurance cards, like Medicare and Medicaid. Give them straight to the home.
- A list of medicines and the pharmacy. The home will tell you how they want medicines brought in.
- If your loved one is on hospice, the hospice care plan.
- If the doctor ordered a special diet, that order.
- We never ask you for Social Security numbers or bank account numbers.
The home's own agreement
- Every home has its own admission agreement.
- Read it before you sign, and ask about anything you don't understand.
If your loved one doesn't have some of these papers, that's okay. Tell the home.
These links go to Florida state websites. We check every night that they still open. Last checked November 2, 2026. If the state moves a form, we look for its new address, and if we can't find it, we take the link down. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice.