Free printable guide

Questions to Ask Your Aging Parents

A simple guide to the information your family should know—before you need it.

It can be hard to know what to ask your parents as they get older.

Do they have a will? Who is their doctor? Where are their insurance policies? Who pays the bills? Where are important papers kept? Who should you call if something happens?

This free guide walks through those questions one at a time.

Download the Free Questionnaire

PDF · US Letter · 25 printable pages

Print it and go through it with your parent.

No signup required.

Cover of the printable guide: Questions to Ask Your Aging Parents, A Family Information Guide

No account numbers.
No passwords.
No need to put sensitive financial information online.

What's inside the guide

Thirteen short sections covering the documents, finances, health information, and contacts your family may one day need. Each question asks only what exists, where it is, and who to call.

1
About this planWho it's for, and where the guide is kept
2
Who should we call first?The first people your family should contact
3
Who depends on you?Dependents, minor children, and pets
4
Legal documents & decision-makersWill, executor, powers of attorney, medical wishes
5
Health & medical informationDoctors, pharmacy, allergies, medication list
6
InsuranceWhat coverage exists and where to find it
7
Money — where it isBanks, retirement accounts, income, bills, debts
8
Home, vehicles & propertyHome records, safe, titles, spare keys
9
Digital lifeDevices, online accounts, and password systems
10
Important papersA final check of the documents your family may need
11
Professionals who help youAttorney, CPA, advisor, agent, faith contact
12
Final wishes & arrangementsFuneral plans, prepaid arrangements, wishes
13
A note to my familySpace for anything that doesn't fit a form

If you're completing it with your parent

This isn't an interrogation and it isn't about taking control. Go at their pace. The goal is simply to make sure the people they trust would know what exists, where to look, and who to call if help were ever needed.

If you're the parent

You're not giving up control of anything. You're simply leaving the people you trust a map so they won't have to figure everything out on their own someday.

You don't have to finish it in one sitting

Start with what you know. Skip anything that doesn't apply. Come back to the rest later.