Organizing digital accounts and access

Start with what exists

Make a simple inventory: account name, where the login info is stored (password manager, paper, browser), whether it is critical for care or finances, and who should have access if you cannot manage it.

Use a password manager when possible

A reputable password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password, KeePass, etc.) can store logins securely and share specific entries with a trusted person without revealing everything. Many offer emergency access features.

Keep a low-tech backup for critical accounts

For the handful of accounts that must be accessible in an emergency — email, banking, medical portal, pharmacy — write down the service name, username, and a hint or location of the password in the care binder. Do not write full passwords where visitors can see them.

• Email (often the recovery key for everything else)
• Banking and bill pay
• Medical patient portal
• Pharmacy account
• Insurance portal

Plan for digital access after a loss

Most platforms have legacy contact or memorialization settings (Google Inactive Account Manager, Apple Legacy Contact, Facebook Memorialization). Set these up while you can. CareKeeper does not provide legal advice on digital assets — consult an attorney for estate planning.

Questions worth bringing to a tech-savvy helper or attorney

This is a good topic to raise directly rather than guess about on your own.

• Which password manager fits our household (free vs paid, sharing features, emergency access)?
• How do we set up legacy contacts on the key accounts?
• What documentation does each platform require for account access after death?
• Should we include digital access instructions in the advance directive or a separate document?