The holidays offer a natural opportunity to gather essential information to help support aging parents or loved ones.

Here's how to make the most of your time together:

Before Your Visit

1. Make a list of key information you need to collect:

   • Medical details (doctors, medications, insurance)

   • Financial information (accounts, bills, investments)

   • Legal documents (power of attorney, living will)

   • Home maintenance details

   • Emergency contacts

   • Online accounts and passwords

2. Identify which family members should be involved in gathering the information

3. Download the latest version of tendercare app to get a head start on this list of essentials, and then organize and share information as you collect it

During Your Visit

Start with Casual Conversation

• Begin with light discussion about family memories or holiday traditions

• Listen for natural openings to bring up more serious topics

• Share your own experiences with organizing important information

Gather Documents

• Ask to see where important papers are stored

• Take photos of documents using tendercare's Vault feature for secure storage

• Note expiration dates on IDs, insurance cards, and other time-sensitive items

• Make a list of any missing documents to follow up on later

Discuss Daily Routines

• Learn about regular appointments and activities

• Note any challenges with tasks like driving or home maintenance

• Identify areas where additional support might be helpful

• Document important contact information for neighbors, friends, or local services

Explore Technology

• Review online accounts and digital information

• Ensure emergency contacts are updated on mobile devices

• Consider setting up shared access to important accounts

Address Home Safety

• Document maintenance schedules and service providers

After Your Visit

1. Organize collected information in tendercare's Vault

2. Share relevant details with other family members through the app

3. Set up smart reminders for important dates and tasks

4. Create a follow-up list for missing information

5. Schedule regular check-ins to keep information current

Tips for Success

• Keep conversations relaxed and natural

• Break information gathering into smaller sessions

• Express that you want to understand their preferences

• Focus on listening more than directing

• Show appreciation for their openness

• Respect their privacy and independence

• Include siblings or other family members when appropriate

Remember: The goal isn't to complete everything in one visit. Focus on building trust and understanding while gradually collecting important information to help you better support your loved ones.

Need help organizing all this information? The tendercare app provides a secure place to store everything you collect and helps you create a personalized plan for supporting your family members.