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For readers outside the U.S.
Much of this guide helps families anywhere in the world. Here is what applies everywhere, and how to find the local version of the U.S. topics.
Do this first
Turn on the international view below. Pages about U.S. law then move to the end of the menu, and pages with U.S.-only parts say so at the top. In an emergency, call your local emergency number (for example 112 in the European Union).
The international view is off.
Turn it on to group the pages about U.S. law at the end of the menu and add a short note to pages with U.S.-only parts. Your choice is kept only in this browser.
What applies everywhere
This guide was written in the U.S., but caring for an aging family member is much the same everywhere. These pages apply in any country:
- Having the hard conversations
- What to expect: illness paths and memory loss
- Palliative care and hospice
- Safety: falls, driving, wandering and scams
- Caring for the caregiver
- Get organized: the family inventory and the emergency family binder
- Aging, illness and death: many views, including fear, distress and grief
- The call log and your saved data
The U.S. topics, in general terms
Many pages describe U.S. law. Most countries have something similar under a different name. This table gives the general idea, so you know what to ask about where you live.
| U.S. term in this guide | The general idea | What to ask locally |
|---|---|---|
| Durable power of attorney | A document in which a person chooses someone to manage their money and property, which keeps working if they lose capacity | "What document lets my relative choose someone to manage their affairs if they can't?" It may be called a lasting, enduring or continuing power of attorney, a mandate, or something else. |
| Health care proxy, advance directive, POLST | Documents that name who decides about medical care, and record wishes about treatment | "How does my relative record their treatment wishes, and name someone to speak for them?" |
| Guardianship or conservatorship | A court or official appoints someone when there are no documents and the person can no longer decide | "What happens if no one has been appointed and they can no longer decide?" |
| Will and probate | A will says who inherits; an official process confirms who can settle the estate | "How is an estate settled here, with and without a will? Which court or office handles it?" |
| Revocable living trust | A U.S. way of holding property to avoid probate | Trusts work differently, or are rare, in many countries. Ask a local lawyer or notary before copying a U.S. approach. |
| Medicare and Medicaid | U.S. public health insurance and long-term care help | "What does the public health or social care system pay for, and what do families pay?" |
| Area Agency on Aging | The local office for services for older people | Ask your local council, municipality, social services or health service. |
| Adult Protective Services | The agency that investigates abuse of vulnerable adults | Ask social services (sometimes called adult safeguarding) or the police. |
Finding local help
- Use the search prompts. On Search for local resources, the international view gives you ready-to-copy prompts for any country. Type the country, paste a prompt into an AI search tool, and always check the answers on official websites.
- Ask the professionals near you. A local lawyer or notary, a family doctor, a hospital social worker, or a government advice service can explain the local rules. In many countries, notaries are trained lawyers who prepare wills and powers of attorney.
- If your loved one lives in another country from you, the rules of the country where they live, and where their property is, often apply. Get advice in that country.
If you are in crisis
If you or someone you love is thinking about suicide or is in danger, call your local emergency number. You can find a free crisis line in your country at Find A Helpline (opens in a new tab).
Tell us what would help
This guide is growing. If you are outside the U.S. and something here was confusing or missing for your country, we would like to hear it.
Write to contact@agingfamilyguide.org.
Sources
Last reviewed: October 5, 2026