Moving into a nursing home represents a significant and often perceived as a heavy burden event for a person in need of care. The familiar apartment and living environment are left behind in favor of an institutional living arrangement with an unknown setting. The process of this critical life event is divided into several phases: extensive considerations and practical preparations, the actual move, and the challenging phase of adapting to the new environment. Fundamental changes on emotional, cognitive, social, and behavioral levels pose a considerable challenge for the elderly individual. By integrating family members into this process and into institutional care, the quality of life for all parties involved can be improved, and the desired reduction in morbidity and mortality can be achieved.