Dementia Care Plan Checklist for New York Families

A Working Framework, Not a Wishlist

Managing dementia care for a parent in New York involves coordinating across legal, financial, clinical, and daily-life domains simultaneously. The complexity is the problem — not any single step, but the fact that there are dozens of steps, they interact with each other, and missing one at the wrong time can lock you out of options that were available last month.

This checklist organizes the major action items by domain. It is designed for adult children who are the primary care coordinator, whether your parent is in the early stages and still living independently or in the middle of a care crisis.

Legal Authority

• [ ] Execute a New York Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney while the parent has cognitive capacity. Initial Section (g) for expanded gifting authority and add customized Modifications language for Medicaid planning (trust funding, property transfers, gift transactions exceeding $5,000).
• [ ] Complete a Health Care Proxy (Form DOH-1430) with two adult witnesses. Write specific instructions about artificial nutrition and hydration directly on the form.
• [ ] Consider a Living Will for end-of-life treatment preferences.
• [ ] If your parent has already lost capacity and has no valid POA, consult an elder law attorney about filing an Article 81 Guardianship petition in Supreme Court.
• [ ] Store originals in a fireproof location. Keep copies in a care binder and with the primary care physician.

Clinical Documentation

• [ ] Obtain a formal dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis from an MD or DO.
• [ ] Have the physician complete and sign Form DOH-5821 (Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Diagnosis Verification). This triggers the lower 2-ADL supervision standard for NYIAP home care assessments.
• [ ] Consider a comprehensive evaluation through a Center of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease (CEAD) for a clinical baseline.
• [ ] Maintain a current medication list, medical history summary, and list of all treating physicians.

Financial and Medicaid Planning

• [ ] Calculate your parent's monthly income and compare it to the 2026 Community Medicaid limit ($1,836/month for an individual).
• [ ] Inventory all countable assets and compare to the $33,038 individual limit.
• [ ] If income exceeds the limit, establish a Pooled Income Trust with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit administrator to shelter surplus income.
• [ ] If married, calculate the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (greater of $74,820 or 50% of joint assets, up to $162,660) and the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance ($4,066.50).
• [ ] Discuss Spousal Refusal with an elder law attorney if the community spouse's assets exceed the CSRA.
• [ ] Review whether a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is appropriate. The 60-month look-back applies only to Institutional Medicaid — Community Medicaid currently has no active look-back.
• [ ] Verify the primary residence equity is below the $1,130,000 exemption threshold.
• [ ] Evaluate whether the caregiver child exemption or disabled child exemption applies to the family home.

Home Care Access

• [ ] Call NYIAP (1-855-222-8350) to schedule the Community Health Assessment and Clinical Assessment.
• [ ] Prepare for the assessment: gather medical records, medication lists, a completed DOH-5821, and documentation of all ADL limitations. Have the caregiver present to describe daily challenges the parent may minimize.
• [ ] If your parent is in an immediate care crisis, file Form DOH-5786 (Attestation of Immediate Need) with the Medicaid application to trigger 7-day financial eligibility and 12-day care plan authorization.
• [ ] After NYIAP approval, follow the outcome notice to select an approved Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) plan or coordinate with the local Department of Social Services (LDSS).
• [ ] Decide between traditional home care agency services and CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program), which allows family members to be paid caregivers.
• [ ] If choosing CDPAP, register the consumer and Personal Assistant with Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) at 1-833-247-5346.

Home Safety

• [ ] Install door alarms and delayed-egress locks on all exterior doors.
• [ ] Add grab bars and non-slip mats in bathrooms.
• [ ] Install an automatic stove shut-off device.
• [ ] Set up motion-activated lighting for nighttime navigation.
• [ ] Remove or lock up firearms, power tools, and hazardous chemicals.
• [ ] Consider GPS-enabled wearable tracking devices.
• [ ] Register with Project Lifesaver through your county sheriff (if available) and learn how local police activate any local Silver Alert system.

Driving Safety

• [ ] Evaluate whether your parent can still drive safely.
• [ ] If driving is unsafe, submit Form DS-7 (Request for Driver Review) to the NYS DMV Medical Review Program.
• [ ] Arrange alternative transportation — family rides, county transit services, or Medicaid-funded non-emergency medical transportation.

Caregiver Support

• [ ] Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for the Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver Support Initiative (ADCSI) — free counseling, support groups, and respite care.
• [ ] Explore the Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) if your parent is 60+ and over Medicaid income limits.
• [ ] Investigate the NYSCRC Lifespan Respite Voucher for temporary caregiver relief.
• [ ] Identify local adult day health care (ADHC) programs for daytime supervision, especially if you are working.

Residential Planning (When Home Is No Longer Safe)

• [ ] Research SNALR (Special Needs Assisted Living Residence) facilities in your area — the only residential certification specifically for moderate-to-advanced dementia. Generally private-pay: $5,500–$11,000+/month, with a limited state voucher program for eligible residents.
• [ ] Check Assisted Living Program (ALP) availability — Medicaid-funded clinical services with room and board capped at $1,688/month.
• [ ] Identify skilled nursing facilities with dedicated memory care units for Medicaid-covered placement.
• [ ] Tour at least three options. Ask about SNALR certification, staff-to-resident ratios, and secured environment features.

Emergency Contacts and Resources

• [ ] NYIAP: 1-855-222-8350
• [ ] PPL (CDPAP): 1-833-247-5346
• [ ] NY Connects: nyconnects.ny.gov
• [ ] Adult Protective Services: contact your county DSS
• [ ] Long Term Care Ombudsman: 1-855-582-6769
• [ ] Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900

Our New York Dementia Care Guide turns this checklist into a complete action plan with step-by-step instructions, the forms you need, and the 2026 financial thresholds for every decision point.

See more New York guides →