Tips & Tools for Older Adults & Caregivers

What Matters

Conversations about What Matters

Conversation Starter Guide is a tool to help you talk about what matters to you and your wishes for the care you receive through the end of life. Developed by The Conversation Project, an initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
- English version
- Spanish version
What Matters to Me Workbook is a guide designed to help those with a serious illness prepare to talk to their healthcare team about what is most important. Developed by Ariadne Labs and The Conversation Project, an initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
- English version
- Spanish version
The Letter Project provides free templates to write a simple letter to your healthcare provider and loved ones about what and who matters most to you. Developed by the Stanford Medicine Letter Project.
- Multiple language versions

Advance Care Planning

What You Should Know about Advance Directives is a tip sheet providing information on what an advance directive is and how to prepare your own. Developed by the Health in Aging Foundation, the public education portal of the American Geriatrics Society.
- English version
PREPARE Pennsylvania Advance Healthcare Directive is a form that lets your family, friends, and medical providers know how you want to be cared for if you cannot speak for yourself. Developed by PREPARE for Your Care.
- Download the English or Spanish version

Caregiver Tips & Tools

Conversation Starter Guide for Caregivers of People with Alzheimer’s or Other Forms of Dementia is a tool to understand what matters most to a person living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Developed by The Conversation Project, an initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
- English version
A Caregiver’s Guide to Advance Directives assists family and friends to understand the ins and outs of advance directives and what they can do to help an older person complete an advance directive. Developed by the Health in Aging Foundation, the public education portal of the American Geriatrics Society.
- English version
The Pennsylvania Caregiver Service tool helps family caregivers locate public, private, and nonprofit caregiving services nearest their older adult loved one. Developed by the Family Caregiver Alliance.
- English version

Medications

Medication Management for Older Adults

The Medication Management Form is a convenient way to keep track of all your medications. Developed by Next Step in Care, a program of the United Hospital Fund.
- English version
- Spanish version
Drug Interactions Checker is a tool that allows you to check for potentially harmful medication interactions.
- English version
Avoiding Overmedication and Harmful Drug Reactions tip sheet suggests ways to lower your chances of overmedication and adverse medication reactions. Developed by the Health in Aging Foundation, the public education portal of the American Geriatrics Society.
- English version

Non-pharmacological Approaches

Mind and Body Practices for Common Aging-Related Conditions offers tips for using complementary and integrative approaches to promote health and well-being in older adulthood. Developed by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health.
- English version
Free guided meditations to support your physical and emotional health and well-being are available from the UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center.
- English version
- Spanish version

Caregiver Tips & Tools

A Family Caregiver’s Guide to Medication Management provides important information for caregivers on what they need to know to support safe medication management for the older adult(s) in their life. Developed by Next Step in Care, a program of the United Hospital Fund.
- English version
- Spanish version

Mind

Dementia

Understanding the Difference Between Mild Forgetfulness and Serious Memory Problems can help decipher typical, age-related memory changes from signs of a serious memory issue. Developed by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health.
- English version
- Spanish version
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's worksheet can be used to note your memory concerns so you can address them with a friend, family member, or healthcare provider. Developed by the Alzheimer’s Association.
- English version
- Spanish version
Dementia Action Alliance is a non-profit organization that provides peer supports and services for people living with dementia. From weekly online discussion groups and live virtual engagement programs, to podcasts hosted by individuals living with dementia, the Dementia Action Alliance helps connect people, increase understanding, and enhance lives.
- daanow.org

Depression

Older Adults and Depression booklet provides information on risk factors for depression, signs and symptoms, how to get help, and treatment options. Developed by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health.
- English version
Emotional Benefits of Exercise describes the beneficial impacts of physical activity on your emotional well-being. Developed by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health.
- English version

Delirium

The Delirium Guide for Patients, Families, and Caregivers provides information on delirium symptoms, tips for reducing the risk of delirium, and caring for a loved one who is experiencing delirium. Developed by the Marcus Institute for Aging Research, in connection with Hebrew SeniorLife.
- English version
Why is delirium more common in older people? infographic describes why people are more vulnerable to delirium as they age. Developed by the Delirium Care Network.
- English version

Caregiver Tips & Tools

Cognitive Aging Action Guide for Individuals and Families outlines how aging impacts memory, decision making, learning, and more. The guide provides you with specific actions to help protect your cognitive health as you age. Developed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine.
- English version
- Spanish version
10 Steps to Approach Memory Concerns outlines steps to take when you notice a memory change in others. Developed by the Alzheimer’s Association.
- English version
- Spanish version
Alzheimer’s & dementia caregiving training videos provide practical tools to use in a variety of settings to create a safe, comfortable environment for both the person with dementia and their caregiver(s). Developed by the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program.
- English version
- Spanish version
Tips for Managing Delirium in Older Adults describes key ways family and friends can recognize and prevent delirium in an older adult. Developed by the Health in Aging Foundation, the public education portal of the American Geriatrics Society.
- English version
- Spanish version
Best Practice Caregiving offers a free online database of evidence-based dementia care programs for family caregivers. Best Practice Caregiving is a partnership between the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging and the Family Caregiver Alliance.
- English version
Caring for Yourself provides strategies and support for your well-being as a caregiver, as well as in-depth information and tips on a numerous caregiving topics. Developed by the Family Caregiver Alliance.
- English version
- Spanish version

Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's Disease is an easy-to-use guide to help you learn and cope with the changes and challenges that come with caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease. Developed by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health.
- English version
- Spanish version

Mobility

Exercise & Physical Activity

The Weekly Exercise & Physical Activity Plan helps you make an individualized plan for yourself – one that you can manage and that interests you. Use the Goal-Setting Worksheet to write down your short-term and long-term physical activity goals. Be sure to update it regularly. Developed by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health.
- Activity Plan: English version
- Goal-Setting Worksheet: English version
My Mobility Plan is an action plan to help you stay independent, safe at home, and mobile in your community. Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- English version
- Spanish version
Go4Life exercise videos provide home workouts for free. Developed by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health.
- English version
Seated exercise videos can increase your strength as you age. Developed by the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability.
- English version
Discover Accessible Fitness: A Wheelchair User’s Guide for Using Fitness Equipment provides a comprehensive overview of adaptive equipment and exercises for wheelchair users. Developed by the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability.
- English version
Healthy Steps in Motion is a strength and balance exercise program that promotes physical activity, socialization, and fall-risk reduction. Developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
- English version

Pain

Chronic Pain Self-Management Program is a 6-week workshop developed for people who have a primary or secondary diagnosis of pain. The program covers topics such as exercises for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance; pacing activity and rest; and communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals. Developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
- English version
Flip the Script on Pain provides questions to ask your healthcare provider about your pain, so that you have a better understanding of your pain, how it impacts your life, and realistic goals to set. Developed by Flip the Script, a collaboration between Florida State University College of Medicine Department of Geriatrics and the University of South Florida School of Aging Studies.
- English version

Caregiver Tips & Tools

Falls Prevention Conversation Guide for Caregivers can help a caregiver understand the basics of falls prevention, while empowering you to discuss and develop a falls prevention action plan with your older adult loved one, family members, and healthcare providers. Developed by the National Council on Aging.
- English version
- Spanish version
Check for Safety is a checklist to find and fix fall hazards in your home. Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- English version
- Spanish version
Tips for Preventing Serious Falls outlines steps to take to reduce the risk of serious falls in aging. Developed by the Health in Aging Foundation, the public education portal of the American Geriatrics Society.
- English version
- Spanish version

National Resources

Eldercare.gov
Elder care locator provides links to local area agencies on aging, information and assistance about long term care, elder abuse prevention, health insurance, legal services, transportation, and driving.

USAging.org
Formerly known as the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A), USAging provides links to aging services and local area agencies on aging.

NIA.NIH.gov
National Institute of Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, is working to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults through research. The NIA website provides information on numerous health topics affecting the lives of older adults.