Moving into assisted living involves more than just packing up a room or choosing the right facility. It also means making sure the right legal and financial documents are in place. Having these documents organized and accessible helps avoid delays, protects your loved one’s wishes, and makes things easier for everyone involved.
This checklist covers the key documents you’ll want to gather, review, and keep on file - plus a printable version you can take with you when meeting with attorneys, care coordinators, or facility staff.
Legal Documents to Prepare
- Durable Power of Attorney (POA): Grants authority to a trusted person to handle legal and financial matters.
- Medical Power of Attorney / Health Care Proxy: Names someone to make medical decisions if the senior is unable to do so.
- Advance Directive / Living Will: Outlines the senior’s preferences for life-sustaining treatment and other medical care.
- Guardianship documents: If applicable, these should be current and legally recognized in your state.
- HIPAA Authorization: Allows specific people to access the senior’s health information.
- Will or Trust: These may not be needed immediately, but having them on file can avoid confusion during transitions.
For more on the legal side of assisted living, read Understanding Power of Attorney and Medical Directives or Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney: What Families Need to Know.
Financial Documents to Gather
- Social Security card and benefit statement
- Medicare and Medicaid cards and paperwork
- Private insurance policies: Health, life, long-term care, and prescription coverage
- Bank account and retirement account information
- Pension or veterans benefit paperwork: Especially for those receiving VA aid and attendance benefits
- Property deeds, mortgage info, or lease agreements
Need help planning for care costs? Check out Financial Planning for Senior Care or Unlocking the Value of Life Insurance for Long-Term Care.
Other Essentials
- State-issued ID or passport
- List of medications and current prescriptions
- Contact list for family, caregivers, and emergency numbers
- Copies of all important documents for trusted family members or POAs
Not sure what to bring on move-in day? Use our Assisted Living Move-In Day Checklist to help you prepare.
Tips for Managing These Documents
- Use a binder or folder with labeled sections for each document type.
- Make digital copies and store them securely (cloud or encrypted USB).
- Review documents annually to keep them up to date.
- If you’re unsure whether you have everything, consider meeting with an elder law attorney. You can find guidance through trusted sources like the National Institute on Aging or Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
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