This checklist is designed to help families organize care before a crisis happens. You do not need to do everything at once. Start with the highest-priority areas.
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Immediate Safety & Health
Basic Health Information
- Full legal name and birthdate
- Primary doctor and specialists
- Current diagnoses
- Complete medication list
- Allergies
- Pharmacy information
- Insurance cards copied/scanned
- Emergency contacts
Home Safety
- Remove tripping hazards/rugs
- Install grab bars in bathrooms
- Improve lighting
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Secure stairs/railings
- Ensure easy phone access
- Consider medical alert device
Daily Living Assessment
Can they safely:
- bathe independently?
- dress themselves?
- cook meals?
- manage medications?
- drive safely?
- shop for groceries?
- pay bills?
- remember appointments?
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Legal Documents
Essential Documents to Locate or Create
- Durable Financial Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- HIPAA authorization
- Living Will / Advance Directive
- Will or Trust
- DNR order (if desired)
Keep Copies Accessible
Store:
- paper copies
- digital scans
- attorney contact information
Make sure key family members know where documents are located.
-
Financial Organization
Gather Financial Information
- Bank accounts
- Retirement accounts
- Pension information
- Social Security benefits
- Credit cards
- Mortgage/rent information
- Insurance policies
- Monthly bills/subscriptions
- Tax documents
Review
- automatic payments
- overdue bills
- unusual spending
- scams/fraud risks
Important Questions
- Is long-term care insurance available?
- What monthly income exists?
- What assets are available if care increases?
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Medical & Care Coordination
Build a Medical Binder or Digital Folder
Include:
- medication list
- doctor contact list
- appointment calendar
- hospital discharge papers
- lab results
- vaccination records
Medication Management
- Pill organizer
- Automatic reminders
- Review for duplicate medications
- Watch for side effects/confusion
Attend Key Appointments
Especially if:
- memory issues appear
- multiple conditions exist
- instructions are being forgotten
-
Cognitive & Emotional Health
Watch for Warning Signs
- repeating questions
- confusion with money
- getting lost
- mood changes
- isolation
- paranoia
- forgetting medications
- missed appointments
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
Encourage:
- social contact
- exercise
- hobbies
- regular routines
- cognitive stimulation
Consider Evaluation If Needed
- memory assessment
- depression screening
- hearing/vision testing
-
Housing & Future Care Planning
Discuss Preferences Early
Would they prefer:
- staying at home?
- moving near family?
- assisted living?
- downsizing?
Research Options Before Crisis
- home care agencies
- assisted living facilities
- memory care centers
- skilled nursing facilities
- hospice providers
Evaluate Home Suitability
- stairs?
- bathroom accessibility?
- isolation?
- maintenance demands?
-
Transportation
Assess Driving Safety
Watch for:
- confusion while driving
- accidents/dents
- delayed reactions
- getting lost
Backup Transportation Plan
- family help
- rideshare apps
- senior transportation services
- public transit
- medical transport
-
Family Coordination
Define Responsibilities
Who handles:
- finances?
- medical appointments?
- grocery shopping?
- legal matters?
- communication updates?
- emergency response?
Keep Communication Clear
- regular family check-ins
- shared calendars
- group text/email updates
-
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Folder
Include:
- medication list
- insurance cards
- ID copies
- hospital preferences
- emergency contacts
- legal documents
Prepare for:
- hospitalization
- falls
- sudden illness
- power outages
- natural disasters
Hospital Go-Bag
Helpful items:
- phone charger
- medications list
- extra clothes
- hearing aids/glasses
- snacks/water
-
Caregiver Self-Care
Monitor Yourself For:
- exhaustion
- irritability
- depression
- resentment
- sleep problems
Build Support
- respite care
- caregiver support groups
- therapy/counseling
- help from siblings/friends
- hired caregiving assistance
Remember
You cannot sustainably care for someone else if your own health collapses.
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End-of-Life Planning
Discuss Wishes
- hospitalization preferences
- CPR preferences
- feeding tubes
- hospice care
- funeral/burial wishes
Learn About Hospice Early
Hospice can provide:
- pain management
- nursing support
- caregiver support
- equipment
- emotional/spiritual care
-
Helpful Technology
Consider:
- medication reminder apps
- shared caregiving calendars
- smart pill dispensers
- video doorbells
- fall detection watches
- medical alert systems
- shared notes/documents
A Good First Month Plan
Week 1
- Start conversations
- Gather medications and doctor info
- Assess home safety
Week 2
- Locate legal documents
- Organize financial information
- Attend a medical appointment if possible
Week 3
- Discuss future care preferences
- Create emergency contacts/binder
- Assign family roles
Week 4
- Research support services
- Build caregiving routines
- Identify gaps and risks
Most Important Mindset
You are not trying to “take over” your parent’s life.
You are gradually building:
- safety
- support
- dignity
- preparedness
- communication
- sustainable care
before emergencies force rushed decisions.