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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento County caregiver resources.