The caregiving paperwork binder

Why start now

Emergencies do not announce themselves. One binder, or one shared folder, with the essentials in a single place saves hours on the worst day and gives you something to hand a hospital or a new caregiver.

Health and medical

• The names and numbers of every doctor, specialist and pharmacy
• A current medication list, including doses and what each one is for
• Insurance cards, Medicare or Medicaid numbers, and the plan's member services number
• Any advance directive, living will or do-not-resuscitate order

Legal and financial

• Power of attorney documents, and the names of the people appointed
• A will, and where the original is kept
• Social Security number, and the card if you have it
• A list of bank, investment and retirement accounts
• Pension, annuity and long-term care insurance details
• The deed or lease for the home

Everyday life

• Home, auto and umbrella insurance policies
• Utility and phone account numbers
• Names and numbers of neighbors, close friends and clergy
• Logins and passwords, stored somewhere secure

How to keep it

Make one physical binder and one digital copy, and tell one other family member where both live. Review it once a year, and after any hospital stay or change in care.

If something is missing

Your local Area Agencies on Aging can point you toward free legal help for older adults, and a certified elder law attorney can help you create documents that do not exist yet.