Step 5 – Take Action

A proper care plan is a written document taking each area identified in Step 3, then spelling out the needs, goals, required steps, the person responsible, and due date. Here is an example:

Area – Health

Need	Goal	Process steps	Person responsible	Time – due date
Locate or prepare Medical Power of Attorney	Have signed copy available to immediate use	Contact Sue Smith, attorneyRequest preparation of signed Medical Power of Attorney if one does not exist	Spouse/Son/Daughter – it is important to have one name and have that person delegate as necessary	Be specific as to a date/time for best results

When the plan is put into action it will be stress tested. In a crisis situation the plan details are often overlooked or misconstrued. However, a care plan derived from a group effort typically triggers a point person stepping in to coordinate the plan implementation based on the previous group plan deliberation. Carefully written plans do however, undergo change and evolution as parental health and care level changes occur. For example, the death of one spouse may dramatically increase the children/outside party requirements as a spouses passing likely removes the expected primary care supervisor.

The really important part of a care plan is discussing care options with parents in the initial conversations, and writing down their intentions. Having clear intentions makes the care plan much easier to manage.

Good luck, we look forward to working through these steps with you to care plan completion and implementation. Use care giving as an opportunity to deepen your own knowledge on aging and the wonderful experiences yet to come for yourself.