Elder Care Resources
Caring for aging parents or loved ones comes with practical decisions. Safety at home. Medical planning. Understanding treatment preferences. Knowing what documents matter.
This page provides straightforward tools to help you think through those steps.
These resources are educational and meant to guide conversations with your family and your physician.
You can Download:
Home Safety Checklist
Falls are one of the most common causes of injury in older adults.
This checklist covers:
Bathroom safety, grab bars, non slip mats
Kitchen accessibility and stove safety
Bedroom lighting and accessibility
Hallways, stairs, and rug hazards
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Small environmental changes reduce risk and improve independence.
Tompkins County Elder Care Resource Guide
This guide compiles local services in one place, including:
Tompkins County Office for the Aging
In home care agencies and private care managers
Grief counseling and support groups
Transportation options such as Gadabout
End of life support including Hospicare
Durable medical equipment loans
Nutritional support like Meals on Wheels
Senior housing options in Ithaca
Having these contacts available before a crisis makes decisions easier.
MOLST, Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment
The MOLST form is a New York State medical order used for individuals with advanced illness or those who want clear documentation of life sustaining treatment preferences MOLST.
It addresses:
CPR or Do Not Resuscitate orders
Intubation and mechanical ventilation
Hospital transfer preferences
Feeding tubes, IV fluids, antibiotics, dialysis
A MOLST must be completed with a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It becomes a medical order that emergency services and hospitals are required to follow.
If you are considering completing a MOLST, schedule a visit to review your health status and goals of care first.
OTHER RESOURCES & LINKS: SCHEDULE A VISIT | LOG IN TO PATIENT PORTAL | ACCESS YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION | MANAGE MEMBERSHIP | CANCEL MEMBERSHIP | GUIDE TO SHARING YOUR MEDICAL