Alzheimer's Disease and Safety : Natural Disaster

by National Institute on Aging

(Page 7 of 7)

Natural disasters come in many forms and degrees of severity. They seldom give warning, and they call upon good judgment and ability to follow through with crisis plans. People with AD are at a serious disadvantage. Their impairments in memory and reasoning severely limit their ability to act appropriately in crises.

It is always important to have a plan of action in case of fire, earthquake, flood, tornado, or other disasters. Specific home safety precautions may apply and environmental changes may be needed. The American Red Cross is an excellent resource for general safety information and preparedness guides for comprehensive planning. If there is a person with AD in the home, the following precautions apply:

Get to know your neighbors, and identify specific individuals who would be willing to help in a crisis. Formulate a plan of action with them should the person with AD be unattended during a crisis. Give neighbors a list of emergency numbers of caregivers, family members, and primary medical resources.

Educate neighbors beforehand about the person's specific disabilities, including inability to follow complex instructions, memory loss, impaired judgment, and probable disorientation and confusion. Give examples of some of the simple one-step instructions that the person may be able to follow.

Have regular emergency drills so that each member of the household has a specific task. Realize that the person with AD cannot be expected to hold any responsibility in the crisis plan and that someone will need to take primary responsibility for supervising the individual.

Always have at least an extra week's supply of any medical or personal hygiene items critical to the person's welfare, such as: food and water, medications, incontinence undergarments, hearing aid batteries, glasses.

Be sure that the person with AD wears an identification bracelet stating "memory loss" should he or she become lost or disoriented during the crisis. Contact your local Alzheimer's Association chapter and enroll the person in the Safe Return program.

Under no circumstances should a person with AD be left alone following a natural disaster. Do not count on the individual to stay in one place while you go to get help. Provide plenty of reassurance.

Who Would Take Care of the Person with AD if Something Happened to You?

It is important to have a plan in case of your own illness, disability, or death. Consult a lawyer regarding a living trust, durable power of attorney for health care and finances, and other estate planning tools.

Consult with family and close friends to decide who will take responsibility for the person with AD. You also may want to seek information about your local public guardian's office, mental health conservator's office, adult protective services, or other case management services. These organizations may have programs to assist the person with AD in your absence.

Maintain a notebook for the responsible person who will be assuming caregiving. Such a notebook should contain the following information: emergency numbers, current problem behaviors and possible solutions, ways to calm the person with AD, assistance needed with toileting, feeding, or grooming, favorite activities or food.

Preview board and care or long-term care facilities in your community and select a few as possibilities. If the person with AD is no longer able to live at home, the responsible person will be better able to carry out your wishes for long-term care.

Conclusion

Home safety takes many forms. This booklet focuses on the physical environment and specific safety concerns. But the home environment also involves the needs, feelings, and lifestyles of the occupants, of you the caregiver, your family, and the person with AD. Disability affects all family members, and it is crucial to maintain your emotional and physical welfare in addition to a safe environment.

We encourage you to make sure you have quiet time, time out, time to take part in something you enjoy. Protect your own emotional and physical health. Your local Alzheimer's Association chapter can help you with the support and information you may need as you address this very significant checkpoint in your home safety list. You are extremely valuable and as you take on a commitment to care for a person with AD, please take on the equally important commitment to care for yourself.

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.