Checklists
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Medical & health
Doctor Visit Checklist ▼
16 items — tap to expand
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Before the visit
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Write down your questions — most important ones firstPut your top concern first. Doctors have limited time.
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List all medications, doses, and what each one treatsInclude vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs.
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Note any changes since the last visitFalls, mood shifts, appetite changes, new pain, or confusion.
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Bring all insurance cards and a photo ID
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Confirm the appointment the day before
At the appointment
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Tell the doctor your most important concern right awayDo not wait until the end of the visit.
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Tell the doctor about any new symptoms — even minor ones
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Ask if all current medications are still neededTry: “Is there anything on this list we could reduce or stop?”
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Ask about drug interactions if your parent sees multiple doctors
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Write down or record what the doctor says
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Ask: “What should I watch for before the next visit?”
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Ask if any tests, blood work, or screenings are due
After the visit
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Fill any new prescriptions — check for interactions at the pharmacy
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Schedule any follow-up appointments or referrals
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Share updates with other family members who help with care
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Write down the date and main points from this visit
Medication Safety Checklist ▼
16 items — tap to expand
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Know what they are taking
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Make a master list — every medication, dose, and reasonKeep one copy at home and one in your wallet or phone.
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Include vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter drugsThese can interact with prescription medications.
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Know what each medication is forIf you are not sure, ask the pharmacist.
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Know what side effects to watch for
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Know which medications should NOT be taken together
Daily management
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Use a weekly pill organizer to track dosesMakes it easy to see if a dose was missed.
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Set a daily alarm as a medication reminder
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Store all medications in one place, out of reach of children
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Check expiration dates every 3 months
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Never split or crush a pill without checking with the pharmacistSome medications must never be split.
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Use one pharmacy for all prescriptionsThe pharmacist can catch dangerous drug combinations.
Warning signs to watch for
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Unusual drowsiness or confusion after starting a new medication
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Loss of appetite, nausea, or stomach pain
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New falls or unsteadinessMany falls in older adults are caused by medication side effects.
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Mood changes — more anxious, sad, or confused than usual
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Ask the doctor for a full medication review once a year
Legal & financial
Legal Documents Checklist ▼
18 items — tap to expand
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The three most important documents
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Financial Power of Attorney — signed and notarizedLets you manage bank accounts, pay bills, and handle property.
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Healthcare Power of Attorney / Healthcare ProxyLets you make medical decisions if your parent cannot.
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Living Will / Advance DirectiveRecords your parent’s wishes for end-of-life care in writing.
Additional legal documents
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POLST form — completed and on file with their doctorTells emergency responders exactly what to do.
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Will or Trust — reviewed in the last 5 years
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Beneficiaries up to date on bank accounts and life insuranceThese pass outside of a will — check them separately.
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You know where all documents are storedTell at least one other trusted family member.
Healthcare and financial access
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Doctor has a signed HIPAA release so they can speak with you
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You have access to their Medicare and insurance cards
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You know the login for their Medicare account at medicare.gov
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You know which bank accounts and investments exist
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You know where the original will is stored
Insurance and benefits
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Long-term care insurance policy reviewedKnow what triggers the benefits before you need them.
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Veterans benefits explored if your parent servedThe VA Aid & Attendance pension can provide significant help.
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Medicare coverage reviewed for current care needs
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Medicaid eligibility explored if finances are limited
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Consulted an elder law attorney at least onceMany offer a free first visit. It is worth the call.
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All key family members know the care plan and who is in charge of what
Medicare & Care Planning Checklist ▼
17 items — tap to expand
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Understand what Medicare covers
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Know which Medicare parts your parent has — A, B, C, or DPart A = hospital. Part B = medical. Part C = Advantage. Part D = drugs.
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Know what their Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan covers
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Know that Medicare does NOT cover daily in-home personal careBathing, dressing, and companionship are not covered.
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Know what skilled nursing care IS covered after a hospital stayMedicare covers up to 100 days under certain rules.
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Request an itemized bill after any hospital stayBilling errors are common. Review every charge.
Plan for what Medicare does not cover
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Find out if your parent qualifies for MedicaidMedicaid covers long-term care — but income and asset limits apply.
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Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for state-based programsMany states offer in-home care programs most families don’t know about.
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Check if your parent has a long-term care insurance policyIf they do, learn what triggers the benefits.
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Explore VA Aid & Attendance if your parent is a veteranThis pension benefit is significant and underused.
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Get at least two cost estimates for in-home care in your area
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Get at least two cost estimates for assisted living in your area
Build a care plan
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Write down your parent’s current care needsDaily tasks they need help with: bathing, meals, medications, transport.
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Decide who in the family handles which tasks
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Set up a shared calendar or group chat for family coordination
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Research respite care options in your areaRespite care gives the primary caregiver a break. You need this.
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Identify one backup caregiver in case of emergency
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Review and update the care plan every 6 months
Home Safety Checklist ▼
18 items — tap to expand
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Throughout the home
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Remove all throw rugs and loose carpetsThrow rugs are one of the leading causes of falls in older adults.
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Secure all electrical cords out of walking paths
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Ensure bright lighting in all rooms, hallways, and stairways
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Install night lights in hallways, bathrooms, and bedroom
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Clear all walkways of clutter and furniture obstacles
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Make sure stair handrails are secure on both sides
Bathroom
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Install grab bars next to the toilet — anchored into studsTowel bars are NOT strong enough. Use real grab bars.
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Install grab bars inside the shower or tub
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Add non-slip mats inside and outside the tub or shower
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Consider a shower chair or tub transfer bench
Bedroom
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Keep a clear path from bed to bathroomThis path is used in the dark. Keep it completely clear.
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Keep a phone or medical alert device within reach of the bed
Kitchen
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Store frequently used items within easy reach — no step stools
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Check that the stove is turned off after every use
Emergency planning
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Set up a medical alert device — wearable button for emergencies
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Post emergency numbers near every phone and on the refrigerator
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Ask their doctor about medications that increase fall risk
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All family members know where the spare key is
Choosing a Care Facility Checklist ▼
17 items — tap to expand
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First impressions
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The facility smells clean — not strongly of urine or chemicals
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The building is clean, well-lit, and well-maintained
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Residents appear comfortable, clean, and engagedLook at the residents — not just the lobby.
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Staff speak to residents by name and with warmth
Questions to ask on the tour
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Asked about daytime staff-to-resident ratio
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Asked about nighttime and weekend staffingUnderstaffing is most common on nights and weekends.
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Asked about staff turnover rate
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Asked how medical emergencies are handled
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Asked what activities are offered and how often
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Asked about the process for handling complaints
Costs and contracts
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Got a full written list of what is included in the base price
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Asked what costs extra — medication, laundry, transportExtra charges add up quickly. Get everything in writing.
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Asked about fee increases over the past 3 years
After the visit
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Checked state inspection records onlineSearch your state’s long-term care ombudsman website.
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Looked up facility on Medicare’s Care Compare at medicare.gov
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Plan to visit again unannounced at a different time of day
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Trusted my instincts — if something felt off, I noted it
Caregiver Self-Care Checklist ▼
14 items — tap to expand
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Daily check-in
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I ate at least one nourishing meal todayCaregivers often skip meals. Your body needs fuel.
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I drank enough water today
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I got outside for at least a few minutes today
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I said one kind thing to myself todayYou are doing something very hard. You deserve compassion too.
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I reached out to at least one person today
Weekly check-in
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I had at least one break from caregiving this weekEven a few hours away helps. You are allowed to rest.
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I did at least one thing I enjoy this week
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I slept reasonably well most nights this week
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I talked to someone about how I am really doing
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I asked for help at least once this week
Monthly check-in
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I kept or scheduled my own medical appointments this month
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I reviewed what respite care is available to me
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I spoke honestly with family about how I am managing
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I set at least one limit to protect my own wellbeing
Other topics that may help