Prepare to Care
A Planning Guide for Families
Today, 30 million households are providing care for an adult over the age of 50-and that number is expected to double over the next 25 years. If you have not yet begun to discuss a caregiving plan with your family, it's not too late. It doesn't matter who starts the conversation. What really matters is that every family has the opportunity to talk about and create a caregiving plan for their loved ones based on the needs and wishes of those who will be receiving the care.
The AARP Foundation's Prepare to Care: A Planning Guide for Families, Each of the following five steps available for download below in PDF format (requires free Adobe Reader), includes information on how to get started, questions to ask and where to find basic resources. It also includes forms that you and your caregiving team can fill out and keep on file, so that you will have all the pertinent information about your loved one and his/her financial affairs, health needs, household matters, and more in one place. Don't be discouraged if you can't answer every question or fill in every blank. The important thing is to start the conversation in a way that works for you and your family.
The comprehensive guide is divided into five steps:
Step 1: Prepare to Talk
Step 2: Form Your Team
Step 3: Assess Needs
Step 4: Make a Plan
Step 5: Take Action
Help your family "Prepare to Care" by downloading the complete guide here (1.05 MB). Or, if you prefer to download and print only the forms that you will need to fill out, you can do so by clicking on the individual forms listed below:
General Needs Assessment
Personal Information Form
Home Maintenance Form
Health Checklist
Transportation Checklist
Financial Checklist
We recognize that we all have different needs as we age. Whether it is help navigating the maze of available government programs, assistance with managing daily finances, or making plans for difficult transitions and decisions you may face - the AARP Foundation is here to help today's seniors live their lives with dignity and independence.
Let us know if this information is helpful. After reading Prepare to Care, please complete this brief survey. Your feedback will assist us in developing new resources that may help prepare you for caregiving responsibilities.
Learn more about what the AARP Foundation can do for you and your family.
