All life events
You have become a caregiver
Caregiving adds cost, time, and legal complexity at the same time. Front-load the paperwork while things are calm.
Do first
Today
- 1Write a one-page medical summary: conditions, medications, doses, allergies, providers, coverage.
- 2Find out whether a healthcare proxy and power of attorney already exist.
- 3Ask which prescriptions cannot be missed, and how many days of supply are on hand.
Next 7 days
This week
- 1Get yourself listed as an authorized contact with their providers and insurer.
- 2Map out the care schedule and name one backup person for each recurring slot.
- 3Add up what caregiving is costing your household each month, including your lost hours.
Next 30 days
This month
- 1Look into local respite care or support programs before you need them urgently.
- 2Store documents, policies, and account details where a second person can reach them.
- 3Set a standing check-in with another family member so decisions are not yours alone.
Common traps
- No healthcare proxy on file when a decision has to be made fast.
- One person carrying the whole schedule with no backup.
- Caregiving costs never counted in the household budget.
Go deeper
See where this leaves your household
The five-minute check scores your household across money, health, housing, emergency readiness, and support, so you can tell which of these steps matters most for you.
Take the check