Alzheimer's Association offers disaster tips
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By Times staff | Friday, June 13, 2008 |
The Alzheimer’s Association urges residents to use special care with Alzheimer’s patients during disaster situations such as flooding or tornadoes. Evacuation can significantly add to the stress and confusion of someone with Alzheimer’s. This can lead to unsafe and distressing behaviors, such as wandering or agitation.
Here are some disaster preparedness tips to help keep Alzheimer’s patients safe during an emergency:
* If your loved one lives in a residential facility, find out about its disaster and evacuation plans. Ask if you will be responsible for evacuation.
* If the need to evacuate is likely, do not delay. Try to leave as early as possible to minimize long delays in heavy traffic.
* Alert others (family, friends, medical personnel) that you are changing locations, and give them your contact information. Contact them regularly as you move.
* Be sure there are people other than the primary caregiver who have copies of the person with dementia’s medical history, medications, physician information and family contacts.
* Purchase extra medications.
* If your loved one uses oxygen, be sure to obtain portable tanks.
* Enroll the person in MedicAlert+ Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return, a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with dementia who wander or have a medical emergency.
Prepare an emergency kit in a watertight container and store it in an easily accessible location. Here are some suggested items:
* Several sets of easy on/off clothes
* Supplies of medication
* Incontinence products
* Extra identification items for the person, such as an ID bracelet and clothing tags
* Copies of legal and medical documents
* Information about the person’s doctor, including name, address, office phone numbers and cell phone number
* A recent picture of the person with dementia
* Hand lotion or other comfort items
* Bottled water
* Favorite items or foods, liquid meals
* A pillow, toy or something else to hug
During an evacuation, inform others that your loved one has dementia and may not understand what is happening. If you are evacuating to a community location such as a gymnasium or large open shelter, ask if there is a smaller room or area that can be used as a “dementia sensitive” care area. Do not leave the person alone. It only takes a few minutes to wander away and get lost. Do your best to remain calm. The person with dementia will respond to the emotional tone you set.
For more information on dealing with agitation, wandering and other issues likely during an evacuation, go online to alz.org.
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