The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently released two resources to assist family caregivers caring for Medicare beneficiaries.

CMS developed a checklist to help patients and their family caregivers prepare to leave a hospital, nursing home or healthcare setting. The discharge planning document includes a series of 16 questions for patients and caregivers to ask themselves and to discuss with hospital personnel to ensure they have a clear understanding of the patient’s needs once they return home. Click here for a copy of the checklist.

The second resource is the "Ask Medicare" website (www.medicare.gov/caregivers ) that answers questions about Medicare coverage and benefits, provides links to organizations that assist caregivers and beneficiaries, and offers support information and tools.