Plan Like a Pro with this Aging Care Checklist

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Updated August 12, 2024
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Key Takeaways

The aging care journey may seem overwhelming at first. Fortunately, with the right tools and some thoughtful planning, it doesn’t have to stay that way. This article links to a handy checklist to help care seekers gather and organize information and resources to make their aging care journey a smooth one. 

If you’re at the start of your aging care journey, your feelings could range anywhere from “Fine – I’ve got this” to “Whoa – I don’t even know where to begin.” 

It’s true that aging in place can include a lot of moving parts: modifying your home for safety, choosing and hiring a home care service provider, arranging for additional services, such as transportation or meal preparation, and assembling your care circle – family, neighbors and friends who volunteer to help. And that’s just a start. It can all feel overwhelming at first. 

No matter how you’re feeling, one thing is true: The sooner you start planning for care, the sooner a person-centered care plan can start working for you or your loved one.  

Essential checklist for taking care of aging parents

When you’ve made the decision to age in place or begin caring for aging parents, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the many things to consider. There’s so much to manage, from health and medical needs to the logistics of daily tasks, finances, and caregiving responsibilities. It’s important to stay organized, and a solid checklist can help guide you through each step, ensuring you don’t miss anything crucial. Whether you’re arranging home care or considering senior living options, staying prepared makes all the difference. 

And remember: the aging care journey is a big responsibility, so it’s important to pace yourself. Tackle the checklist step by step, focusing on what you can handle now, and note areas to revisit later. Being kind to yourself helps keep stress at bay and ensures you can manage everything without feeling overwhelmed. 

  1. Learn about you or your loved one's illness, condition, or disease. 

  2. Identify any activities for which you or your loved one may need assistance. These are typically broken down into two levels: basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). 

  3. Note any specific preferences for care and daily activities. 

  4. Explore potential care options to meet your needs, including providers in the CareScout Quality Network. Once you've established your care circle, note the role for each person or provider and what they are helping with. 

  5. If you're caring for someone else, take stock of your own health and well-being. 

  6. Organize important care information in one central location, such as a logbook. 

  7. Make an emergency plan. 

  8. Plan for the future: legal and financial. 

  9. Identify any additional services you'd like to research, including home care options, respite care, assisted living, etc. 

  10. Practice self-care. 

Your plan for quality care

With this in mind, we’ve prepared a downloadable checklist to help you jump-start your journey to amazing care: “10 Essentials for Aging Care Planning.” This exclusive guide walks you through all that you need to consider for the aging care journey, from care considerations to legal and financial concerns. It includes fill-in fields to capture important information, such as who is in your care circle, as well as places to list personal preferences, like favorite foods. 

Download the checklist

With this checklist in hand, you can start planning for the here and now as well as for emergencies and long-range needs further down the road. Thoughtful planning can help you feel better prepared and bring you tremendous peace of mind every step of the way. 

Download the checklist

Ready? Download your CareScout planning checklist today and start filling it in. Then use it to guide conversations with your loved ones. Your journey will be off to a great start. 

Expert reviewed by

Kelly Briggs

Kelly Briggs, M.A., LSW, CCM

Kelly is a Licensed Social Worker and Board-Certified Case Manager with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a certificate in trauma studies. She is passionate about helping aging adults and their caregivers understand options, feel empowered in their decision making, ...

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Written by

Rob Kinslow

Rob Kinslow

Rob Kinslow is a health and medical writer whose work has spanned the healthcare continuum — from primary, hospital, and home care to long-term care and senior living.

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