Do you ever lie awake at night wondering, “What happens if I get sick?” or “Who can I call for help next Tuesday?” If so, you’re shouldering the immense weight of caregiving alone. The sheer number of unknowns can be paralyzing, leaving you feeling trapped and exhausted.
But what if you could transform that anxiety into a clear, actionable roadmap? Creating a caregiver plan isn’t about preparing for the worst – it’s about building a personalized support system that empowers you to provide the best possible care without sacrificing your own well-being. Let’s break down how to create yours, one manageable step at a time.
A Caregiver Plan Helps at Any Stage
No matter where you are in the caregiving journey, it’s never too late to create a plan.
Planning means having more time to make decisions and being proactive instead of reactive.
Avoiding it until there’s a big problem can make a challenging situation worse.
A caregiving plan helps reduce problems with older adults and family members, reduces uncertainty, and minimizes last-minute scrambling for solutions. It can also help ease financial strain.
We found a helpful free guide from AARP that takes you through 5 steps to create a caregiver plan. It also includes useful checklists and excellent resource recommendations.
Use AARP’s 5-step Guide to Create a Caregiver Plan
AARP has a handy guide that helps families discuss and create a caregiving plan. It’s called AARP Family Caregiving Guide.
It’s also available in Spanish, Chinese, Asian-American, Military, and LGBTQ community versions – get them here.
The guide breaks things down into 5 steps to make it more manageable.
The sections include information on how to get started, questions to ask, and where to find helpful resources.
Here’s an overview of the five steps outlined in the AARP guide.
1. Start the Conversation
It’s tough to talk with an older adult about aging, declining abilities, or the need for additional help.
And it’s not something you want to bring up without preparation.
This section offers suggestions for conversation openers, questions to consider before starting any conversation, ways to proactively identify their priorities, and strategies for handling resistance.
The advanced thought and planning help make discussions more successful and reduce your older adult’s defensiveness.
2. Form Your Team
Caregiving is too big a job for one person to handle easily.
This second section shares tips on forming a supportive caregiving team.
3. Make a Plan
Nobody can plan for every possibility, but having the basics covered helps reduce stress and uncertainty for everyone.
In this section, the guide provides an overview of how to create a plan, points to helpful caregiving plan templates (page 34), and offers suggestions for assigning tasks to caregiving team members.
4. Find Support
Often, caregivers and caregiving teams need additional support.
This section walks through various resources that can help caregivers, such as community resources, senior care professionals, hired caregiving help, home safety updates, and supportive housing (senior care communities).
On page 12, there’s also a helpful list of 10 questions to ask before hiring an in-home caregiver.
5. Care for Yourself
Balancing caregiving with family, work, and other responsibilities can be exhausting.
This section covers seven types of resources that can help you manage the different ways that caregiving can impact your life.
The Rest of the Guide
The remainder of the guide covers a helpful glossary of commonly used senior care terms, a variety of caregiving resources, handy checklists and information logs, and sample caregiving plans.
Final Thoughts
Completing this plan is a profound act of care for your loved one – and, just as importantly, for yourself. It transforms the vague worry of “I have to do everything” into the empowered clarity of “here is my team and our plan.”
This document is your peace of mind in writing, a tool that ensures your loved one’s care remains consistent even when you need a break. Remember, a plan is a living document, not a final test. Start where you are, use what you have, and build your circle of support one name at a time. You are not meant to do this alone, and now, you don’t have to.
Next Steps: Start your caregiving plan by printing or saving AARP’s Family Caregiving Guide (PDF)
Recommended for you:
- How to Talk with Parents About Aging: 5 Tips and Conversation Starters
- When They Say No: 8 Ways to Introduce In-Home Care for Seniors
- 4 Ways to Provide Support While Encouraging Senior Independence
About the Author
Connie is the founder of DailyCaring.com and was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also understands the importance of support, especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
