Checklist

Caring for an Aging Parent: A Caregiver Checklist

Caring for someone means holding a hundred details at once. This checklist gives every detail a place, so you can hand over to a sibling, a home aide or a hospital without starting from scratch. It is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice: always follow the care team's instructions, and in an emergency call 911.

Build the care team

  • List every contact: primary doctor, specialists, pharmacy, home care agency, care manager, and family members.
  • Turn offers of help into tasks. Write down who handles medication reminders, appointments and driving, groceries, bills and visits, and who is the backup.

Keep track of health

  • Keep an up-to-date medication list and bring it to every appointment and hospital visit.
  • Log each dose on a weekly chart so a missed or doubled dose is easy to spot.
  • Note symptoms and changes: what happened, when, and what helped. Doctors find patterns easier to act on than impressions.
  • Tell the doctor about every fall, even one without an injury. Falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults.

Make the home safer

  • Remove or secure loose rugs and keep paths clear of cords and clutter.
  • Fit handrails on both sides of stairs, and grab bars by the toilet and in the shower or tub.
  • Add night lights between the bedroom and bathroom.
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and store medications safely.

Put the paperwork in place

Without a financial power of attorney, a health care power of attorney, an advance directive and a HIPAA authorization, families can be shut out of medical conversations and bank accounts when the person can no longer decide for themselves. An elder-law attorney can help put them in place while the person can still sign.

Find support

  • Eldercare Locator: a free public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that connects you with local services, including your Area Agency on Aging. Call 1-800-677-1116 (weekdays).
  • Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900.
  • 211: call 211 almost anywhere in the US, or text or chat where your local 211 offers it, to find help with food, housing and transportation.

Keep it all in one place

Medications, appointments, symptoms, bills and the care team in one place.

Caring for Someone: The Caregiver Organizer (US): coming soon

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-31. General information, not legal, tax, financial or medical advice.