Older Adults: Hospitalization Happens

by National Institute on Aging

A trip to the hospital with a loved one who has a memory disorder can be stressful for both of you. This brochure can relieve some of that stress by helping you prepare for both unexpected and planned hospital visits. In it you will find steps you can take now to make hospital visits as easy as possible, tips on making your loved one more comfortable once you arrive at the hospital, and advice on working with hospital staff and doctors.

Share this information with family and friends, keep this brochure in a handy spot and prepare now for the future.

Hospital Emergencies: What You Can Do Now

Planning ahead is the key to making either an unexpected or a planned trip to the hospital easier for you and your loved one. Here is what you should do now:

Register your relative for a SAFE RETURN bracelet through your local Alzheimer's chapter. People who are lost may be taken to an emergency room. The bracelet will speed the process of reconnecting you and your loved one.

Know who you can count on. You need a family member or trusted friend to stay with your loved one when he or she is admitted to the emergency room or hospital. Have at least two dependable family members, neighbors, or friends you can call on to go with you or meet you at the hospital at a moment's notice so that one of you can take care of the paperwork and the other can stay with your loved one.

Pack an "Emergency Bag" containing the following:

• A sheet of paper listing: the person's name, nickname, address, insurance companies (include policy numbers and pre-authorization phone numbers), Medicare and Medicaid card numbers, doctors (include addresses).
• A list of important phone numbers such as doctors, key family members, minister and helpful friends.
• A list of all current medicines and dosage instructions. This list should be updated when there is any change.
• A list of medicines taken that have ever caused a bad reaction and a list of any allergies to medicines and foods.
• Copies of important papers such as Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, Living Will.
• Extra adult briefs (i.e. Depends) if the person usually wears them. These may not be easy to get in the emergency room if you need them.
• A change of clothes in case the person's clothes become soiled or torn and a plastic bag for the soiled clothing.
• A card that says, "Please Understand - My companion has a memory disorder. Let me help with specific questions." You should avoid talking about your relative's memory changes or behaviors in front of him. This can be upsetting and embarrassing to your relative.
• Moist hand wipes such as Wet Ones.
• A reassuring object, a Walkman with a favorite tape or a portable radio.
• A writing pad and pen so that you can jot down information and directions given to you by hospital staff. You will also want to write down your loved one's symptoms and problems. You might be asked the same questions by many people. Show them what you have written instead of repeating your answers.
• Pain medicine such as Advil, Tylenol or aspirin. This is for you, the caregiver. A trip to the ER may take longer than you think. Stress can lead to a headache or other symptoms.
• A sealed snack such as a pack of crackers and a bottle of water or juice for you and your loved one. You could wait for quite a while.
• A small amount of cash.
• If you have a cellular phone, put a note on the outside of the "Emergency Bag" to take the phone with you.

By taking these steps in advance you will greatly reduce the stress and confusion that can often accompany a hospital visit particularly if the visit is an unplanned trip to the emergency room.

At The Emergency Room

A trip to the emergency room may tire or even frighten your loved one. There are some important things to remember:

• Be patient. It could be a long wait if the reason for your visit is not life-threatening.
• Know that results from lab tests take time.
• Offer physical comfort and verbal reassurance to your relative. Stay calm and confident.
• Realize that just because you do not see staff at work, does not mean they are not working.
• Be aware that emergency room staff often has little training in Alzheimer's disease so help them understand your loved one.
• Do not assume your loved one will be admitted to the hospital.

Do not leave the ER to go home without a follow-up plan. If you are sent home, make sure you have all instructions for follow-up care.

About the Author

www.nia.nih.gov
NIA, one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.