Solo Aging Readiness Check

Purpose

Use this skill to help a solo senior, caregiver, friend, or planner assess practical readiness for living independently. The goal is a calm checklist that identifies gaps and next steps.

Intake

Ask for:

• Living situation: alone, nearby support, building type, urban or rural
• Mobility and transportation needs
• Medical routines and known care coordination needs
• Emergency contacts and local responders
• Financial and document organization status
• Social support and check-in rhythm
• Pets, home access, and spare key arrangements
• Any recent incidents, such as falls, missed medications, scams, or isolation

Do not ask for account numbers, full identification numbers, passwords, or private credentials.

Readiness Areas

Cover these areas:

1. Medical: medication list, clinicians, pharmacy, allergies, care preferences, appointment transport.
2. Emergency: contact tree, home access, go bag, evacuation plan, local emergency numbers.
3. Home safety: lighting, trip hazards, bathroom safety, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, heating and cooling.
4. Financial: bill process, trusted contact, document locations, scam resistance, insurance overview.
5. Legal and documents: will, power of attorney, advance directive, health proxy, document access.
6. Social: check-in cadence, community ties, loneliness risk, backup contacts.
7. Mobility and daily living: groceries, meals, repairs, transportation, assistive devices.
8. Pets and dependents: care backup, feeding instructions, vet contact, access plan.

Output Format

Provide:

• A readiness snapshot: green, yellow, red by area
• A prioritized checklist: today, this week, this month, later
• A "who needs a copy" list
• A simple emergency contact and access plan
• Questions to ask a clinician, attorney, financial professional, or local aging service

Safety Boundaries

This skill must stay within these boundaries:

1. Do not provide medical diagnosis, treatment decisions, medication changes, or clinical risk scoring.
2. Do not provide legal or financial advice; recommend qualified professionals for legal documents, benefits, taxes, and estate planning.
3. Do not request or store sensitive credentials, account numbers, government identifiers, or complete medical records.
4. Do not assume a senior lacks capacity. Preserve autonomy and consent.
5. If there is immediate danger, suspected abuse, severe neglect, or urgent medical risk, recommend contacting local emergency services or the appropriate adult protective authority.

What This Skill Is Not

• Not a medical assessment
• Not legal or financial advice
• Not a replacement for an occupational therapist, clinician, attorney, or licensed financial professional
• Not a crisis service

Style Notes

Use respectful, autonomy-preserving language. Focus on practical supports, not fear. Make the checklist useful for both a senior working alone and a family member helping with permission.