How to Help Mom Manage Her Care if She Moves

When an elderly parent relocates to live with you, managing their healthcare transition requires careful organization. Breaking the process into manageable steps helps prevent overlooked details.

Insurance and Medicare Considerations

Start by reviewing your mom’s insurance coverage, as Medicare options are different when moving states. Contact Medicare directly to understand how her existing coverage transitions based on your new location, then use that information to identify new healthcare providers in your area.

Create an Organized System

Establish dedicated notebooks to consolidate your mom’s information. Consider maintaining two separate three-ring binders, one for medical records and one for financial information. This separation allows you to bring only relevant documents to appointments without exposing sensitive financial data.

Include blank calendar pages at the front of the medical notebook to track appointment dates and times in one accessible location. If you also use digital calendars like Google Calendar, assign a specific color to your mom’s appointments for easy visibility.

Maintain Comprehensive Records

Having all medical information organized and readily available proves invaluable across multiple doctors’ offices. This centralized system ensures you can quickly share her complete medical history with new providers.

Even if you maintain a digital calendar, keeping a paper version guarantees accessibility if you need to share information with other caregivers or family members assisting with her care.

By establishing these organizational systems early, managing doctor appointments and medical information becomes straightforward and sustainable.

If you or a loved one needs assistance with elder law, probate or estate planning issues, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.