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Caring for an elderly parent checklist

Most of this works best done early, while a parent can still be involved in the decisions — before it becomes urgent rather than during one.

22 items

Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.

The items

  1. Conversation had about wishesCare preferences, finances and end-of-life wishes, before anything feels urgent.
  2. Power of attorney set upWhile your parent can still make the decision themselves — see this catalogue's power of attorney checklist.
  3. Will located, or made if none exists
  4. GP details and any hospital consultants noted in one place
  5. Care needs assessment requested
  6. Local council contacted
  7. What the assessment covers, understood in advance
  8. Eligibility and cost checkedCheck the current rules with the local council.
  9. Benefits and allowances checkedBoth for your parent and for anyone caring for them — check the current rules on what applies.
  10. Finances reviewed
  11. Bills and standing orders listed
  12. Bank access arrangements agreed, if help is ever needed
  13. Pension and savings noted
  14. Home safety checkedTrip hazards, alarms and whether any adaptations would help.
  15. Emergency contacts list madeGP, next of kin, key holder and a neighbour.
  16. Key holder or spare key arranged for emergencies
  17. Support for the person doing the caring consideredCaring is its own admin — a carer's assessment and local support groups exist for a reason.
  18. Care options researched before they're needed
  19. Home care
  20. Day centres
  21. Residential care
  22. Medical and care information kept in one placeMedications, allergies, conditions and GP contact, ready for anyone who needs it in a hurry.

Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.

Questions people ask

When should this admin start?
As early as possible, while your parent can still be part of the decisions. Waiting until there's a crisis leaves far less choice in how any of it gets handled.
Is power of attorney needed straight away?
Not necessarily immediately, but it needs setting up before capacity is lost, not after — check the current rules, since it can't be arranged retrospectively.
What does a care needs assessment cost?
It depends on circumstances and location — the assessment itself is usually free, but check the current rules with the local council on what any care recommended costs.