When an older adult is taken to the hospital at night, the first people to arrive may not have the information that matters. The paramedic does not know the medication list. The substitute caregiver does not know which hospital the family prefers. The daughter driving in from another state knows where the power of attorney is, but she is three hours away. A Next-of-Kin Box puts that information in one place that anyone can find.
This guide is for families who want the box done before it is needed. Much of it can be assembled in an afternoon from papers already in the house.
What goes in the box
Keep copies, not originals, unless your attorney tells you otherwise.
A one-page emergency sheet: full name, date of birth, address, primary doctor, pharmacy, insurance, preferred hospital, and the order in which to call family
The current medication and allergy list, with the date it was last updated
A short list of diagnoses, past surgeries, and any implanted devices such as a pacemaker
Copies of the health care directive and powers of attorney, or a note saying where the originals are kept
Insurance and benefit cards, front and back, including Medicare, any supplement or Advantage plan, and VA cards
Names and numbers for every doctor, therapist, home care agency, and pharmacy involved
How to get into the house, who holds keys, and any alarm code the family is willing to share
How the person communicates best: hearing aids, glasses, language, and what calms them
Who cares for any dependents or pets if the person is suddenly away
OPA’s free Next-of-Kin Box outline lists each item with space to fill it in. The free Emergency Information Sheet is a large-print version of the one-page summary.
Where the box goes
Pick one place and do not move it. A kitchen cabinet near the refrigerator is easy to find. Put a notice on the refrigerator door and another inside the front door that says where to find it.
Tell every family member and every caregiver where the box is.
Keep it current
The medication list changes most often. A stale list can mislead a clinician. Update it after every appointment where a prescription changes and after every hospital stay. Put the date at the top each time.
Set a review date for the whole box. Review it at least twice a year and any time a diagnosis, doctor, or insurance plan changes. Write the date of the last review on the lid.
A first step this week
Find a box or a large envelope. Fill in the one-page emergency sheet tonight. Add the rest of the items over the next week, then tape the notices to the refrigerator and the front door.
If you would like help thinking through what changes when a parent needs more support at home, see how care starts at OPA.
This is general information, not medical or legal advice. Ask your attorney before relying on copies of legal documents, and call 911 for an immediate emergency.
For a reliable next step, use Ready.gov’s emergency planning guidance for the official details, then use how care starts when your family needs to organize support at home.
For a related decision, Medicare’s overview of keeping coverage information together can help frame the question, and this site’s planning-ahead guide offers a practical next step.
Families can also compare the next handoff with OPA’s Care Coordination Grid.
