1
Next task and time
Can they find what needs doing next, and when?
Where did they look / what would help?
A free, five-minute family exercise
If you were unavailable tomorrow, could someone else pick up where you left off?
Use this quick check to see whether a backup can find the next task and time, a contact or unanswered question, and the latest instructions or update. You’re checking what’s easy to find, not judging how well anyone is doing.
Five minutes
Use notes you already have, or a Care System Share Pack if your family uses one.
Use notes you already have, or a Care System Share Pack if your family uses one.
Try it together
The handoff check
Imagine: the family organizer can’t help tomorrow. Ask a backup to find each item using the notes or shared information your family already keeps.
2
Contact or open question
Can they find who to contact, or the question still waiting for an answer?
Where did they look / what would help?
3
Latest instructions or update
Can they find the latest update and tell whether it’s current?
Where did they look / what would help?
4
Close one small gap
Pick one thing marked Missing or Needs confirmation. Add it to a place your family already uses, or agree who will confirm it and by when.
One gap to close
Who will take the next step?
By when?
Keep details private to your family. Share only what the next person needs to find the current plan.
A fictional example
Maya’s five-minute handoff
Scenario: Maya usually keeps track of her dad’s appointments. Her brother Leo tries the check using their shared notes.
1
Next task and time
Leo finds: “Call the clinic Tuesday morning to confirm the Thursday visit.”
Where did he look / what helped?Shared family notes · next step is dated
2
Contact or open question
He finds the clinic number, but can’t tell whether Maya got an answer about transport.
Where did he look / what would help?Question is listed; answer status is unclear
3
Latest instructions or update
Leo finds the task list, but no update from Maya’s latest clinic call.
Where did he look / what would help?Shared notes · latest call update hasn’t been added
4
Close one small gap
Maya adds a dated update from her call notes to the shared family notes.
One gap to closeAdd the missing call update, with its date
Who will take the next step?Maya
By when?Tonight
That’s enough for this check. They can revisit the other question when they have the answer.
Each button prints one page. On paper, mark Found, Missing, or Needs confirmation for each check.