ICE Information List

Be prepared. Protect your loved ones. Help ensure their wishes and care needs are known.

At My Age In Place Advocate (MAIPA), we believe successful aging in place begins with thoughtful planning. One important step older adults and their caregivers can take is creating an In Case of Emergency (ICE) Information List.

An ICE list organizes essential personal, medical, and emergency contact information in one accessible place. If an older adult experiences a fall, sudden illness, hospitalization, or another emergency, this information can help family members and care providers understand whom to contact and where to find important health information.

Emergencies can be stressful and confusing. Preparing in advance can help caregivers respond more confidently, communicate important details, and reduce the pressure of searching for information during a crisis.

An up-to-date ICE list can help:

• Support timely communication: Make important medical information and emergency contacts easier to locate.
• Promote medication safety: Provide a current list of medications, dosages, and known allergies for review by healthcare professionals.
• Speak for someone who cannot communicate: Help caregivers share relevant information if an individual is confused, unconscious, or unable to communicate their needs.
• Reduce confusion during a crisis: Keep essential contacts, insurance details, and information about advance care planning documents organized.
• Support transitions between care settings: Help families communicate relevant information when someone moves between home, a hospital, rehabilitation, or another care setting.

An ICE list does not replace medical records, professional assessment, or legally valid advance directives. It is a practical communication tool that helps families prepare.

• Full legal name and date of birth
• Home address and primary phone number
• Emergency contact names and phone numbers
• Copies or locations of relevant identification and insurance cards

• Primary care provider and specialist contact information
• Preferred hospital, if applicable
• Known medical conditions and significant medical history
• Known allergies and medication sensitivities
• Recent surgeries and implanted medical devices, such as a pacemaker

• Medication names
• Dosages and schedules
• Known medication allergies or sensitivities
• Prescribing provider or pharmacy contact information, when helpful

Review the list regularly with the individual or their healthcare professional to keep it accurate. Never rely on an outdated medication list.

• Location of advance directives and healthcare proxy documents
• Contact information for the person authorized to make healthcare decisions, if applicable
• Information about other relevant care-planning documents
• Instructions on where authorized individuals can locate copies

Keep copies of legal documents secure and make sure the appropriate people know where to find them. An ICE list itself does not establish decision-making authority.

• Primary and backup caregivers
• Family members or trusted friends
• Home care agency or care coordinator, if applicable
• A trusted neighbor or other designated emergency contact
• Relevant contact information for individuals who may assist with access to the home, where appropriate

• Medicare, Medicaid, or other health insurance details, as applicable
• Insurance customer service phone numbers
• Pharmacy name and contact information
• Locations of important records and documents

Protect sensitive personal information. Avoid placing Social Security numbers, account passwords, or other information that could expose someone to identity theft on a document that may be widely accessible.

Keep the information in a consistent, accessible location known to the older adult and trusted caregivers. Depending on the individual's circumstances, you may wish to maintain:

• A printed copy in a clearly identified folder at home
• A copy in an emergency information folder for medical appointments or hospital visits
• A secure digital copy that authorized family members or caregivers can access
• A current copy available to the appropriate person accompanying the individual during an emergency

Review the list whenever medications, healthcare providers, emergency contacts, or care arrangements change. A quick review every few months is also a helpful routine.

If there is an immediate medical emergency, call 911. Do not delay emergency assistance while searching for documents.

Creating an ICE list is one part of a broader aging-in-place plan. Families may also need help organizing healthcare information, identifying gaps in caregiver coverage, preparing for medical appointments, coordinating services, and planning for a safe return home after hospitalization or rehabilitation.

My Age In Place Advocate provides aging-in-place planning, care coordination, patient advocacy, healthcare navigation, and caregiver support to help older adults and families prepare for changing needs.

As an independent consulting and advocacy practice, MAIPA helps families organize information, identify resources, and develop practical next steps. We are not a home care agency and do not provide hands-on medical or non-medical care.

Don't wait for an emergency to get organized. Taking time to prepare today can help you and your loved ones feel more informed, supported, and ready to respond.

Contact My Age In Place Advocate to learn how personalized planning and advocacy can support your family's aging-in-place journey.

My Age In Place Advocate, Inc.
Your Home. Your Community. Your Choice.