The Caregiver's Financial-Protection Checklist
There are two people at financial risk in your caregiving story: your parent, and you. This free, printable checklist pulls the whole money spine of Caregiving Without Losing Yourself into two pages you can work at your own pace and keep by the phone — one that protects your parent's money, one that protects yours.
What's on the checklist
Two pages, built to be printed and worked through one box at a time. It's the companion to Caregiving Without Losing Yourself by M. E. Hart — the protect-the-money moves from the book, distilled into a single sheet you can act on.
- Page 1 — protecting their money — the durable power of attorney (the one urgent document), the account-tool ladder that avoids the joint-account trap, the separate Social Security rep-payee and VA fiduciary steps, and the elder-fraud red flags worth knowing cold.
- Page 2 — protecting your money and retirement — why not to quit if there's any way not to (the 35-year Social Security math), the leave laws (FMLA job protection vs. state paid leave), the tax angles most caregivers miss, and how to work Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA without drowning.
- The one free phone call — the Eldercare Locator number that opens your parent's local services, including respite for you.
The checklist is an organizing tool, not legal, financial, or medical advice — it helps you plan and ask the right questions. The dollar figures and program rules change every year and vary by state, so verify the current numbers for your own state and tax year, and run big moves past a qualified elder-law attorney or tax professional before you act. You'll get it by email, so you always have the latest version as the rules change.
Get the free Caregiver's Financial-Protection Checklist
Tell us where to send it and we'll email you the free, printable checklist — the durable power of attorney, the account tools that don't blow up the family, the fraud red flags, the leave laws, the tax angles, and the Medicaid/Medicare/VA landmines. Two pages: one protects your parent's money, one protects yours.
- Protect their money — POA, accounts, fraud
- Protect yours — leave laws, tax, retirement
- Work the system — Medicare, Medicaid, VA
Almost there — check your inbox.
We just sent a confirmation email. Click the link inside and your free download lands right after. (If you don't see it, check spam or promotions.)
Keep going
When you're ready to go deeper on any one piece, these free guides pick up where the checklist leaves off:
- The financial cost of caregiving — the hidden out-of-pocket, lost-income, and retirement costs, and how to protect against them.
- Read the book, Caregiving Without Losing Yourself — the full playbook this checklist is drawn from.
- Protecting aging parents from scams — the fraud red flags and the moves that stop them.
- Helping aging parents get their affairs in order — the documents to gather, in plain language.
- The resources library — vetted government links for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, the VA, and free legal help.
Planners & Books
Good to know
Common questions
What is the Caregiver's Financial-Protection Checklist?
A free, two-page printable that pulls the money spine of Caregiving Without Losing Yourself into one sheet: page one protects your parent's money (durable power of attorney, account tools, fraud red flags), page two protects yours (leave laws, tax angles, and your own retirement).
Is it free, and how do I get it?
Yes — add your email and we'll send the printable PDF right away. It's an organizing tool, not legal, financial, or medical advice; verify current numbers for your state and tax year, and run big moves past a qualified elder-law attorney or tax professional.
Does Medicare pay for a parent's long-term care?
No. Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care. Medicaid does, with strict income and asset limits, and the VA has its own programs. The checklist points you to the free Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) to find what your parent qualifies for locally.