Dementia and Hurricanes

Natural disasters cause severe disruption and threaten many people. People with Alzheimer’s disease can be especially vulnerable in disaster situations. Their impaired memory and reasoning may severely limit their ability to cope. For caregivers, it is important to have a disaster plan that incorporates the special needs of the person with Alzheimer’s. 

Staying at Home

In some situations, you may decide to stay at home during a natural disaster. Plan ahead to meet your family’s needs and those of the person with Alzheimer’s for at least 3 days to a week. Include supplies and backup options in case you lose basic services. Refer to information from organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) and the American Red Cross to make a general disaster plan. (See the “For More Information” section below.) 

You also will need special supplies for the person with Alzheimer’s. Assemble a kit and store it in a watertight container. The kit might contain:

• warm clothing
• sturdy shoes
• spare eyeglasses
• hearing aid batteries
• incontinence undergarments, wipes, and lotions
• pillow, toy, or something the person can hold onto
• medications
• favorite snacks and high-nutrient drinks
• zip-lock bags to hold medications and documents
• copies of legal, medical, insurance, and Social Security information
• physician’s name, address, and phone number
• recent photos of the person with Alzheimer’s

Also as part of your disaster planning, have practice drills, with each member of the household performing specific tasks. Do not give the person with Alzheimer’s responsibility in the plan. Assign somebody to take primary responsibility for him or her.

Because the needs of a person with Alzheimer’s will change as the disease progresses, periodically update your plan to reflect these changes. For example, he or she is likely to become less mobile in the later stages of the disease. How will that affect your plan?

If You Must Leave HomeYou may need to move to a safer place, like a community shelter or the home of a family member. Consider how you will get the person with Alzheimer’s disease to go quickly and calmly. Be ready to use tactics that have worked in the past.

During relocation, the person with Alzheimer’s might become very anxious and start to behave erratically. Remain as calm and supportive as possible. He or she is likely to respond to the tone you set. Be sensitive to his or her emotions. Stay close, offer your hand, or give the person a reassuring hug. Do not leave him or her alone.

To plan for an evacuation:

• Know how to get to the nearest emergency shelters. Some areas have shelters for people with special needs. Local Red Cross chapters can direct you.
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• If you don’t drive or driving is dangerous, arrange for a family member, friend, neighbor, or emergency service to transport you.
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• Make sure that the person with Alzheimer’s is wearing an identification bracelet and/or that identifying tags are sewn into articles of clothing.
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• Take both general supplies and your Alzheimer’s emergency kit.
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• Bring your cell phone charger and keep the phone charged. Save emergency numbers to your phone, including the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return phone number (1-800-625-3780), if you participate in that program.
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• Plan to keep neighbors, friends, and family informed about your location. Give them your phone numbers and a list of emergency numbers.
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• Be sure that other people have copies of the person’s medical records. If necessary, they can provide these records to emergency medical staff to ensure that the person receives appropriate treatment and care.
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• Pack familiar, comforting items for the person.
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• If conditions are noisy or chaotic, prepare to find a quieter place.
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• Prepare to prevent wandering. Many people with Alzheimer’s disease wander, especially under stress.
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• If possible, plan to take along the household pet to comfort the person.

If You Are Separated

Caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals,

Your residents will love the Amazon Kindle Fire

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care  professionals to get an easyceu or two

Follow alzheimersideas on twitter
The Dementia Caregiver’s Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition]

ADEAR