Are You Ready for an Emergency? Get a Plan!: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

14 Jan 2025 · 27 min · S2 E26

Episode Are You Ready for an Emergency? Get a Plan!: Four Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

0:00 27:22

When you’re caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, worries can keep you up at night — but they don’t help you. Through our conversation with Denise Brown, we’ve learned having a solid emergency plan helps calm your worries, reduce your fears, and provide you with peace of mind.

Full Show Notes

https://thecaregiversjourney.com/are-you-ready-for-an-emergency-get-a-plan-four-essential-tips-alzheimers-other-dementias/

Additional Resources Mentioned

Slides used in episode here

Caring Our Way community here

Family Emergency Plan space on Caring Our Way here

Schedule of free planning sessions with consultant here

Takeaways

Tip 1: Name Your Worry

The first step in creating an emergency plan is identifying specific concerns that keep you up at night. Denise's Family Emergency Plan includes eight categories of common caregiver worries:

- Delays

- Health emergencies

- Hospitalizations

- Behavioral challenges

- Transportation issues

- Medication management

- Care coordination

- Communication needs

Tip 2: Develop Your Plan

Once you've identified your concerns, it's time to create actionable plans. Remember that plans can take many forms:

- Written instructions

- Maps or diagrams

- Medication lists

- Contact information

- Behavior management strategies

- Transportation arrangements

Tip 3: Communicate Your Plan

Effective communication ensures everyone involved understands their role. Consider multiple methods of sharing information:

- Written letters or emails

- Shared online documents

- In-person meetings

- Physical copies in accessible locations

- Regular updates and reminders

Tip 4: Update Your Plan Regularly

Emergency plans should evolve as circumstances change. Watch for these common triggers that signal the need for updates:

- Changes in your care recipient's condition

- New diagnoses or medications

- Shifts in your own availability

- Family member changes

- Service provider updates

- Transitions to palliative or hospice care

About Our Guest Expert

Denise Brown founded the Caring Our Way community to support family caregivers. The community offers free resources, including:

- Monthly planning sessions

- Family Care Manager course

- Downloadable planning templates

- Online support spaces

- Access to certified caregiving consultants

You can find these resources at caringourway.com.