Make sure they have a doctor and a dentist. Many elderly people don’t — their old doctor retired and they never bothered getting a new one. Get them someone with experience in geriatrics, and get them seen — full physical. Full dental checkup as well.

Get prescriptions. Nurses in a facility can’t give you a cough drop without a doctor’s signed order. Get copies with several repeats on them. Also, make sure they have prescriptions for

a) an analgesic; tylenol is good, but if they have a preference, go with it.

b) a laxative. Senocot or metamucil.

c) Gravol, or some other anti-nausea medication, and

d) Imodium, or some sort of anti-diarrhea medication.

Believe me, they WILL need them, and they WILL suffer if these are not available for the staff to give out as needed.

Make sure they have clothes and supplies. A full seven day wardrobe of brand new clothes, including underwear, plus any favorite items from their closet. If they wear disposable briefs, make sure they have enough to last between your visits. Soap and toothpaste, denture supplies, batteries for their hearing aids . . . make a list of everything they use regularly, and make sure they have them.

It’s tragic when a senior runs out of something when they are unable to shop for themselves. Make sure they have what they need.