Medication list for an elderly parent
Where should I keep my parent's medication list?
Where it can be found fast: a copy that goes to every appointment, one at home, and one on your phone, all the same version.
The CDC says “keeping an up-to-date list of your medications that you—or others—can easily access is important for health care visits and in case of an emergency.”
- One that travels: folded in your parent’s wallet or bag, and yours.
- One at home, somewhere obvious, like on the fridge or with the medicines.
- One on your phone: a photo of the current page, or a note.
Keep them all the same version, by the date at the top. For emergencies, the essentials also go on an emergency medical card, and on your parent’s phone.
More questions caregivers ask
- Who should see my parent's medication list?
- How often should I update a parent's medication list?
- What should go on a parent's medication list?
- All the questions
From Centis, a free care notebook you talk to. A way to keep the list, not medical advice: questions about the medicines are for the doctor or pharmacist.
Further reading
- My Medications List (opens in a new tab), from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention