What to put in a caregiver binder

1. A one-page summary at the front

The page you hand to the ER or a new doctor: name and date of birth, allergies, current medicines, conditions, treatment wishes, and who to call. If the binder only has one page, make it this one.

2. Medicines

A current medication list, plus a log of every change with the date, who ordered it and why. Add a daily chart showing what's taken morning, noon, evening and bedtime, and the date each medicine runs out.

3. Doctors and care team

Every doctor with their specialty and phone number, the pharmacy, home care, and family members with a role. Note after-hours numbers and patient portal logins (where they're kept, not the passwords).

4. Appointment notes and questions

One entry per visit: what the doctor said, tests ordered and what happens next. Keep a running list of questions for the next appointment so nothing gets forgotten in the room.

5. Health events

Falls, ER visits, hospital stays and new symptoms, with dates. Doctors often ask how often something is happening, and this answers it.

6. Documents

• Power of attorney for health decisions and for finances
• Advance directive or living will
• Do-not-resuscitate form, if there is one
• Insurance and health cards, front and back
• The will, and where the original is kept

7. If I'm not there

The page that lets a sibling or friend cover for a day: daily routine, meals, how medicines are taken, pets, spare keys, and what to do if there's a fall.

Paper or spreadsheet?

A paper binder is easy to grab and hand over. A spreadsheet can keep the summary, the medication list and the pill chart up to date from one set of entries, and family can share it. Many people keep a spreadsheet and print the key pages for the paper binder.