Senior Care Emergency Checklist 

Here are items to include on your caregiver’s emergency list:

• Doctors’ names, addresses, specialties and phone numbers.
• List of all medications being taken, dosage prescribed and what the prescriptions are for.  Be sure to keep this information up to date, as the medications may change frequently.
• Medical insurance and medication or prescription plans and identification numbers.
• Social security number.  Many insurance companies won’t talk to anyone without the patient’s social security number.
• Durable power of attorney. This is a legal document that assigns someone the authority to handle legal and financial issues if your parent or loved one becomes incapacitated.
• Health care proxy.  This legal document gives a designated individual the authority to make medical decisions for another in the event that this person lacks capacity.
• Notification of your elderly parent or loved one’s wishes about resuscitation orders. It’s important to know this information before a crisis, so you can act according to your parent or loved one’s wishes.
• Basic financial records.  Have a list of assets, account numbers, names and contact information for financial advisors or bank representatives.
• Names and addresses of people to notify in case of an emergency, such as children, grandchildren, close friends and neighbors who might be able to help out.
• Names and contact information for local clergy, if your parent or loved one has a preferred religious affiliation.
• Funeral/burial information.