Caregiver starter checklist
Caring for a loved one at home is one of the most demanding things a family does — and most people start without a plan. This checklist is a starting point, not a requirement.
Get organized
- Keep a single list of medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors.
- Locate advance directives, power of attorney, and insurance cards — know where the originals are.
- Write down the primary care doctor, specialists, and pharmacy, with phone numbers.
- Keep a simple log of symptoms, falls, or changes you notice — patterns are easy to miss day to day.
Line up help before you need it
- Identify one backup person who could step in for a day if you're sick or need a break.
- Look into respite care options in El Dorado County before a crisis, not during one.
- Ask your loved one's doctor about local caregiver support groups.
- Find out what In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) or Adult Protective Services (APS) could help with, even if you don't need them yet.
Take care of yourself
- Schedule your own medical and dental checkups — caregivers often defer their own care.
- Use a support group, even once, before deciding it's not for you — many caregivers say it's the thing they wish they'd started sooner.
- Notice signs of caregiver burnout: exhaustion, irritability, withdrawing from friends — they're common, not a personal failing.
Know the signs it may be time for more support
- Falls, missed medications, or getting lost have become more frequent.
- Your own health, work, or finances are being seriously affected.
- You're providing more medical or personal care than you're equipped to give safely.
Looking for respite care, support groups, or other local help? Browse El Dorado County caregiver resources, or see agency care vs. hiring a caregiver directly if you’re considering paid help.