Aging parents checklist: the papers and plans to sort out
Updated October 2026
Most families sort these things out in a hurry, in a hospital corridor. Going through them calmly, ahead of time, makes the hard days easier for everyone. The names of some documents differ by state and province, so check what applies where your parent lives.
Health decisions
- Someone named to make health decisions if they can't (healthcare proxy, medical power of attorney or substitute decision-maker, depending on where they live)
- An advance directive or living will with their wishes
- A do-not-resuscitate form, if that's their choice, kept where paramedics can find it
- A current medication list and one-page medical summary
Money and property
- A power of attorney for finances
- A list of banks and accounts (names only, not numbers)
- Bills that are paid automatically
- Pension and government benefit details
- Property, vehicle and insurance papers
Where things are
- Where the will is kept
- Where online account passwords are stored (not the passwords themselves)
- Who has a spare key and the alarm code
- Funeral or burial wishes, and any prepaid plan
Conversations to have
- What matters most to them if their health gets worse
- Who they want to make decisions, and whether that person has agreed
- Where they want to live, and what help they'd accept
- How the family will share the work
Questions
Do we need a lawyer?
For a will and powers of attorney, a lawyer or notary is the safe route, and some places require specific forms or witnesses. This checklist helps you know what to ask for.
What if a parent won't talk about it?
Start with the practical: 'If you fell and I had to talk to the doctors, what would you want me to know?' The medical summary is often an easier first step than the will.
This guide is general information for families, not medical or legal advice. Always confirm medicines with the pharmacist or doctor.