Planning that supports long-distance caregiving

Family members should check that legal documents, information and emergency plans are in order. These documents help with future decisions and can clarify the roles of each caregiver or family member. These documents may include:

• Power of attorney for health care, which designates who can make medical decisions when the person receiving care can no longer make them
• Advance directive for medical care, which enables a person to make choices about future care
• Living will, which records personal requests regarding end-of-life care
• Documents that designate which caregivers can discuss health care with doctors or care facilities and who has permission to see online medical records
• Medical power of attorney for finances, which designates a person to handle financial matters when a person receiving care can no longer do so
• Contact information of doctors, care facilities and other health professionals
• List of medications, dosages, reasons for medications, and names and contact information of the prescribing doctors
• Back-up plan of roles and responsibilities if the primary caregiver is unable to provide care
• Written daily care plan, updated as needed, that explains schedules, routines and caregiver tasks to inform in-home or substitute caregivers