Caregiver Contingency Planning Checklist

“If I need care, who will care for us” A dual-track plan for your care and your care recipient’s continuity, including where to store this information to be easily accessible.

Care Recipient Essentials

• Full name, DOB, insurance contact info
• Last four digits of Social Security Number
• Medical conditions, history, key concerns
• Allergies, medication list, prescription numbers & schedule
• Insurance cards
• Medicare Number (include date enrolled)
• Providers (PCP, specialists, therapist, etc.) with phone numbers
• Pharmacy information
• Advance directives / POLST / DNR
• Daily care plan: meal routines, hygiene, mobility
• Home safety needs (grab bars, ramps, etc.)
• Communication style preferences
• Emotional/behavioral notes (e.g., dementia patterns)
• Stress triggers and calming rituals

Caregiver Emergency Plan (YOU)

• Personal emergency contact(s)
• Backups designated to assist YOU if you’re ill or recovering
• Your own medical info:
  • Diagnoses, medications, allergies
  • Physician and insurance info
• Your legal prep:
  • Advance directive
  • Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
• Notes on your emotional care:
  • Stress triggers and calming rituals
  • Support people
• Plan for your temporary care:
  • In-home help (friends, paid aides)
  • Overnight or convalescent stay options
  • A message or letter to your circle about how you want care and decisions made if you can’t speak for yourself

Transfer of Responsibility

• Pre-identified “care team” to support both you and the care recipient
• Roles clearly defined (e.g., medication, meals, appointments)
• Written handoff instructions:
  • Who to call
  • Where to find info
  • What decisions can/cannot be made
  • Schedule template for rotating support
• Temporary care preferences:
  • Who care recipient is most comfortable with
  • Professionals to contact (hospice, aides, adult day centers)

Home + Logistics for Both

• Key info shared and accessible:
  • Spare keys
  • Wi-Fi and alarm passwords
  • Location of important supplies
• Household calendar:
  • Trash/recycling, bills, deliveries
  • Shared Google Docs or spreadsheets
• Sample “asks” for friends/family
• Pet care
• Emergency exits and hospital routes

Communication & Emotional Health

• Shared language:
  • Scripts to inform care recipient of your illness gently
  • Ways to manage their fear or confusion
• Trusted individuals prepped to provide updates to extended family
• Permission to speak honestly with others about needing help
• Coping resources for the care recipient (audio, photos, familiar music)

“Caregiver Down” — Here’s What to Do (Put on Refrigerator)

• Who to call
• Care recipient overview
• Medication schedule
• How to access caregiver’s own health plan
• Location of this full document

Storage Accessibility Tips

• Paper copies in a waterproof folder in an easy-to-grab spot — ideally where emergency responders might look first. Many caregivers keep medical orders (POLST, DNR) taped or magnetized to the refrigerator in a clearly labeled sleeve.
• Digital copies stored in a secure, password-protected document folder. If you use a password manager (like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden), many allow for Emergency Access, where a trusted contact can retrieve logins if you become incapacitated.
• Shared cloud folder (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) with restricted access for family or designated backups — make sure they know it exists and how to find it.
• Wallet card with a brief summary of where your full plan is stored and who to contact in an emergency.