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

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 here: https://thecaregiversjourney.com/are-...

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.

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