Checklist for Caring for Elderly Parents

This article covers: Assessing needs, Getting Permission, Info to Have on Hand, Things to Know, and Taking Care of Yourself. Assessing Their Needs • Does your parent need help with grooming, bathing, or dressing? • Does your parent need help with housekeeping, shopping, or yard work? • Does your friend need help planning or preparing meals? • Is your parent unable to drive or get around on public transportation alone? • Does your parent need help managing finances and paying bills? • Does your parent need help making legal and other important decisions? • Does your parent have trouble functioning at home? Would modifications help? • Does your parent have trouble with hearing, vision, or memory? Get Permission • financial power of attorney to make financial decisions and pay bills • living will to make life-support decisions • medical power of attorney to make health care decisions • durable power of attorney to make legal decisions • access to safe deposit box • may choose to be added to deeds and mortgages • may need to be added to automobile insurance • know the person's wishes (medical treatments, funeral, finances, etc.) Information to Have on Hand • insurance (Medicare / Medicaid number, supplement, other policies) • doctors (names, phone numbers, and other contact information) • medical history (medications, allergies, conditions, procedures) • identification (social security, military ID, driver's license numbers) • address list (friends, neighbors, family) • service providers (attorney, financial advisor, clergy, accountant) • financial (account numbers, checkbook, investments, tax records) • legal (wills, powers of attorney, health care directive) • deeds (house, other property, car title, boat title) • insurance (life, medical, auto, homeowner's) • household (mortgage, apartment lease, property tax records) • vital records (birth certificate, marriage license, divorce decree) • final wishes (organ donation, burial, property distribution) Make Sure that You • respect your parent's independence, even while taking care of them • allow your parent to make as many decisions as appropriate • have reasonable expectations of what your parent can do independently • talk regularly with your parent about their concerns, desires, and frustrations • make informed decisions that are in the best interest of your parent's needs • show compassion while you are trying to be efficient and responsible Taking Care of Yourself • recognize when you are getting worn out and need a break • make use of support groups, family, and other caregivers in your situation • take regular breaks to do something enjoyable for yourself