GO BAG

As we age, the likelihood of a no-notice, late-night trip to the ER increases – and this is especially true for dementia patients and their caregivers.The anxiety of the caregiver rushing around to get an overnight bag packed (for both herself and her loved one) can be mitigated by simply keeping a “go bag” already packed with everything the patient and caregiver might need for an overnight hospital stay (e.g., clothing, adult diapers, toiletries, medications). Then when a trip to the ER presents itself on short notice, all one needs to do is grab the BAG and GO. If the patient is no longer able to understand and sign treatment authorizations, include your medical power of attorney in the go bag.

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Weather emergencies present an extra challenge for the caregiver as her patient may not understand the threat and be confused by all the sudden changes in routine (e.g. going to a safe room, losing power, etc.). The following website provides some helpful tips for both preparing for and enduring a weather emergency with a dementia patient:

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Many dementia patients and their caregivers live alone with no other family members in the home. Dementia patients in mid- to late stages of the disease may not recognize when their caregiver suffers a medical emergency of her own. Now the caregiver needs care herself, and her loved one lacks the cognitive ability to assess this need or call for help. This scenario apparently played out in the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife. She lost consciousness, and he (having dementia) was unable to call for help or take care of his own needs for food or medical care. Days later, he died also.

The “all alone” caregiver needs to maintain a network of friends, family, or neighbors who will check in on them frequently to ensure that a medical emergency in the home will be noticed and treated on a timely basis before the dementia patient suffers a physical or mental problem as well.

“Every act of kindness — big or small — is powerful.”