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 HandI
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
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