How Familiar Are You With The Yearly Paperwork Check-up For Seniors?

The holiday decorations are packed away, the year's resolutions are in full effect, and a new year stretches before us, full of possibility. For caregivers and seniors alike, this fresh start offers a unique opportunity for practical peace of mind. Amidst the quiet of the (still) new year, there’s no better gift you can give your family than the gift of preparedness.

Think of this yearly paperwork checkup for seniors as preventive healthcare for your family’s legal and financial well-being. Crises rarely announce themselves. A fall, a sudden illness, or a cognitive decline can happen at any time, and the last thing a family needs in a moment of panic is to be searching for documents or deciphering outdated wishes. Taking a calm, proactive afternoon once a year to organize and review these seven key documents can prevent immense stress, conflict, and costly legal hurdles down the road.

Let’s walk through the essential file folder every family should have in order:

1. The Durable Power of Attorney (POA) for Finances: This is arguably the most critical document for managing day-to-day affairs if your loved one becomes incapacitated. It designates a trusted agent to handle banking, pay bills, manage investments, and deal with government benefits. Confirm the named agent is still willing and able to serve, and ensure financial institutions have a copy on file.

   
   

2. The Advance Healthcare Directive (Living Will & Healthcare POA): This two-part document states a person’s wishes for end-of-life medical care (the Living Will) and appoints a healthcare agent to make decisions if they cannot (the Healthcare POA). Wishes can change. Have a conversation: Are the treatment preferences stated still accurate? Does the healthcare agent know their role?

   
   

3. An Up-to-Date Will or Trust: This governs the distribution of assets after death. Without it, the state decides, a process that is public, slow, and often doesn’t reflect what your loved one wanted. Life changes—births, deaths, marriages, divorces, significant purchases. Ensure beneficiaries and distributions still align with current relationships and intentions.

   
   

4. A List of Key Contacts: Create a simple, one-page list with the names and phone numbers of the attorney, financial advisor, accountant, doctors, and insurance agents. Update any changed numbers or points of contact.

   
   

5. A Comprehensive Inventory of Assets and Liabilities: This doesn’t need to be overly complex. List bank accounts (institution and last 4 digits of the account number), investment accounts, property deeds, vehicle titles, and major debts. Note the location of original documents (e.g., “deed in safe deposit box #123 at First Bank”).

   
   

6. Insurance Policies: Locate and review life, health, long-term care, Medicare supplement, and property insurance policies.  Verify premiums are being paid and that coverage is still adequate. Note policy numbers and the insurance company’s contact information.

   
   

7. Login and Password Access (A Digital Estate Plan): In our digital age, crucial parts of our lives exist online. Securely document how to access email, online banking, utility accounts, and social media. Use a secure password manager with emergency access features, or a sealed, written list stored in a safe place known to your attorney or agent.

   
   

This list can feel daunting, especially if you’re starting from scratch or navigating complex family dynamics. This is where a professional geriatric care manager (GCM) becomes an invaluable ally. A GCM is a licensed expert in aging and care coordination who can guide you through this process with clarity and compassion. They can help explain the purpose of each document, connect you with trusted elder law attorneys, and facilitate the sometimes-difficult family conversations that need to happen around these topics. They act as a neutral third party, ensuring your loved one’s wishes are the central focus. By helping you create and maintain this organized system, a geriatric care manager doesn’t just help you check a box—they help build a foundation of security that allows your family to focus on what truly matters: well-being and connection in the year ahead. Starting the year with this task completed isn’t about dwelling on what-ifs; it’s about creating the calm and control that makes living fully possible.

If you or an elderly loved are worried about long-term planning for elder issues and the challenges that can come with it, please don’t hesitate to contact our staff of Geriatric Care Managers at Senior Steps. We offer free 15-min consultations as well as comprehensive care management; contact us at SeniorSteps.org/book-online or call us at 617-405-8796.