Help Your Clients Plan, with Our Aging Care Checklist

The aging care journey is a life event that catches most Americans off-guard. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than half (57%) of adults ages 40 to 64 haven’t discussed their aging care needs and preferences with their family or friends.¹

That lack of readiness means many families can suddenly find themselves in need of aging care without a roadmap. Forced to focus on the here and now, they may continue to struggle as their needs change.

You can help families avoid missteps and feel better prepared with a new guide from CareScout, 10 Essentials for Aging Care Planning. It’s a checklist that care seekers can use to determine the kind of support they need for their loved one and themselves – everything from home care services and emergency planning to legal and financial advice. It helps families take stock of immediate needs and plan for the future. 

10 Essentials for Aging Care Planning is available as an easy-to-use downloadable PDF. It walks care seekers through a comprehensive array of aging care considerations. Users can fill in fields to record important information, such as care needs and preferences, and check off completed items as they go so they can track their progress. The guide helps care seekers:

• Note important information about their loved one’s health that may have implications for their care 

• Identify ADLs and IADLs their loved one may need assistance with 

• Note specific preferences for care and daily activities 

• Keep contact information for all members of their care circle in one place 

• Take stock of the family caregiver’s own health and well-being 

• Learn what types of vital information to keep in one central location 

• Make an emergency plan 

• Plan for legal and financial concerns 

• Identify any additional aging-in-place services needed 

• Practice self-care 

With this checklist in hand, your clients can start planning for the immediate future as well needs further down the road. More thorough planning can help clients partner with you more collaboratively, asking the right questions and providing you with the information you need to deliver quality, person-centered care. 

10 Essentials for Aging Care Planning can help care seekers feel more in control of the aging care journey. Send them the link or the document – it could help them enjoy greater peace of mind every step of the way.