Free · 1-page PDF · Bedside reference

The Caregiver Crisis Checklist.

The first 10 things to do when a parent is hospitalized. Print it. Tape it to the inside of a folder. Bring it to the bedside.

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PARENTCARE NAV · CAREGIVER CRISIS CHECKLIST

The first 10 things to do when a parent is hospitalized

A printable bedside reference. Use it in the first 48 hours.

  • 1.Get the discharge planner's name by Day 2.
  • 2. Confirm inpatient vs observation status.
  • 3.Find the "Important Message from Medicare" form.
  • 4. Assign three family roles: Lead, Backup, Communicator.
  • 5. Locate POA documents — or start this week.
  • 6. Schedule the discharge planner conversation.
  • 7. Request PT and OT functional assessment notes.
  • 8. Pre-set the home.
  • 9. Get the full document handoff.
  • 10. Schedule the PCP follow-up within 7–14 days.

Get the full kit for $15 → parentcarenav.com/kit

What's in the checklist

The highest-leverage 10 actions, sequenced for the first 48 hours.

  • Get the discharge planner's name by Day 2 — because the doctor doesn't decide where your parent goes.
  • Confirm inpatient vs observation status — because Medicare SNF coverage depends on it and most families never know to ask.
  • Find the Medicare appeal phone number — because the hospital cannot discharge while a QIO appeal is pending.
  • Assign the three family roles (Lead, Backup, Communicator) — because chaotic families produce chaotic discharges.
  • Five questions to walk into the discharge planner meeting with — because the meeting is the most important conversation of the hospital stay.
  • Plus 5 more: documents to gather, the home prep checklist, PT/OT notes, the PCP follow-up. Everything fits on one page.

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If the situation is bigger than 10 items

The full Hospital Discharge Crisis Kit goes far deeper.

30-page playbook, 25-question discharge planner worksheet, decision flowchart, payment quick-reference across all 5 payer channels, Day 1–30 template, plus spreadsheets and email templates. $15. Instant download.

Get the full kit · $15