It’s a good idea to keep all contact information for family and friends up-to-date and easily accessible. An emergency list of family, friends, and professionals with names, phone numbers, emails, and street addresses can help others identify people who have agreed to step in for Caregiving support, if you, the Caregiver, become ill and unable to provide care. My HealtheVet is a great resource for keeping the Veteran's information up to date and available.

In case you are unavailable to provide care for longer than you anticipate, keep the following updated to allow for a smooth transition between Caregivers:

• Calendars

• Medical contacts and appointments

• Medication lists and schedules

• Everyday activities information (including appropriate exercise regiment)

• Nutritional requirements, including allergies

• Copies of legal documents (power of attorney, living will, do not resuscitate order, advance directives, HIPAA forms)

• Notes of mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation or attempts)

• Notes on physical health (including medical diagnoses)

• Safety concerns (needs a walker, hearing aids, bed rails, prone to wander) shouldn't be left alone)

• Copies of photo identification and insurance cards

• Other important information specific to the Veteran