Elder Care Planning Checklist: Everything Families Need to Prepare | ElderCare Guide

Have You Completed a Health and Safety Assessment?

Start by understanding your loved one's current physical and cognitive abilities. This baseline helps you determine the right level of care:

Schedule a comprehensive geriatric assessment with their primary care physician or a geriatrician
Document all current medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors
List all medical conditions, allergies, and recent hospitalizations
Assess ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, continence
Assess Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): cooking, cleaning, laundry, managing finances, using the phone, transportation, medication management
Request a cognitive screening if there are signs of memory loss or confusion
Evaluate fall risk and mobility: Can they walk independently? Use stairs? Get in and out of bed?
Assess vision, hearing, and dental health — often neglected but critical to quality of life
Walk through the home and identify safety hazards (loose rugs, poor lighting, clutter, inaccessible bathroom fixtures)

Legal preparation is time-sensitive because documents must be completed while your loved one has the mental capacity to sign them:

Durable power of attorney (financial): Designates someone to manage finances if your loved one becomes incapacitated
Healthcare power of attorney / healthcare proxy: Designates someone to make medical decisions when the person cannot
Living will / advance directive: Documents the person's wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation, and end-of-life care
HIPAA authorization: Allows designated family members and caregivers to access medical information
Will and/or trust: Ensures property and assets are distributed according to wishes
Beneficiary designations: Review and update beneficiaries on bank accounts, retirement accounts, and insurance policies
Gather and securely store all important documents: birth certificate, Social Security card, insurance cards, property deeds, vehicle titles
Consider consulting an elder law attorney for Medicaid planning if long-term care may be needed

Understanding the financial picture prevents surprises and enables better planning:

Create a complete inventory of income sources: Social Security, pensions, retirement account distributions, investment income, rental income
List all assets: bank accounts, investment accounts, real estate, vehicles, valuable personal property
Document all debts and recurring expenses: mortgage, property taxes, insurance premiums, utility bills, subscriptions
Review all insurance policies: health insurance, Medicare, supplemental (Medigap), long-term care insurance, life insurance
Determine eligibility for financial assistance: Medicaid, VA benefits, local programs
Estimate care costs using our elder care cost guide
Identify who will manage finances if your loved one can no longer do so
Set up automatic bill pay for essential expenses to prevent missed payments

Where your loved one lives has the biggest impact on daily care logistics:

Assess whether the current home can be modified for safe aging in place
Research senior living options in the area: independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing homes
Tour at least three facilities if considering a move, visiting at different times of day
Consider proximity to family, medical providers, and social connections
Evaluate whether the neighborhood is safe and accessible (sidewalks, nearby services)
Determine if the home has a bedroom and full bathroom on the main floor
Check whether the home can accommodate a live-in caregiver if needed

These practical details determine the quality of everyday life:

Identify who will provide daily care: family, professional caregivers, or a combination
If hiring professional help, research and evaluate providers
Develop a daily routine that includes meals, medications, personal care, activities, and rest
Arrange nutrition: meal preparation, grocery delivery, Meals on Wheels, or meal subscription services
Plan for transportation to medical appointments, social activities, and errands
Address social engagement: regular visits, phone calls, video chats, community programs, religious services
Set up medication management: pill organizers, automated dispensers, pharmacy delivery
Install a medical alert system if the person spends time alone
Create a list of emergency contacts and post it visibly in the home
Arrange for pet care if your loved one has animals they can no longer fully care for

Being prepared for emergencies reduces panic and improves outcomes:

Post emergency contact numbers prominently: 911, family members, neighbors, doctor, pharmacy
Create a medical information card to keep in the wallet: conditions, medications, allergies, emergency contacts
Identify the nearest hospital and urgent care facility
Know the person's advance directive wishes and ensure copies are accessible
Arrange backup caregiving for situations when the primary caregiver is unavailable
Keep a "go bag" packed with essentials in case of hospitalization: insurance cards, medication list, comfort items, change of clothes
Test smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and ensure fire extinguishers are accessible

Caregiver well-being is not optional. It directly affects the quality of care your loved one receives:

Acknowledge your limits and ask for help before reaching burnout
Schedule regular respite time using professional caregivers, adult day programs, or family rotation
Maintain your own medical appointments and health screenings
Join a caregiver support group (in-person or online)
Learn about caregiver resources in your community through your Area Agency on Aging
Consider counseling or therapy to process the emotional challenges of caregiving
Do not abandon your own social relationships, hobbies, and sources of renewal