Today I stopped by our local Senior Center and discovered that they have the most wonderful counselor on staff who worked 18 years with dimentia patients. This woman was really helpful and assured me that she will continue to be able to help me with all of our needs in the future as this is her area of expertise. Hubby and I will be going to a joint support group 1/month (they separate the spouses for obvious reasons at these sessions). She told me that I had most everything in place as I should (wills, DPOA, etc.) but that I need an Emergency Plan. I left with only a vague impression of what an Emergency Plan should have. Pick a hospital, inform about patient being AD person and that anesthesia should not be used unless totally necessary. What else should I put in this plan? I'm sure this isn't a new topic for most of you.
I'm working on this right now, too. I always carry a paper with all of DH's medical conditions, drugs he takes, allergies doctor's name, etc. (I eventually thought to add my own medical information, because DH certainly couldn't tell them all that if I was unable to.) I also have a copy of the out-of-hospital DNR. DH has all this information in his wallet, too. There is also a list of people to contact in an emergency, starting with who to contact first. I think it might be helpful to add our medical POA to both those emergency files.
All of this information is also in a big envelope on the front of our refrigerator, in case something happens while I am gone and DH's aide is alone with him. I have been told that medical personnel will look there for this information.
This may be overkill, but I also have lists of things I will need to pack in a hurry if either of us has to go to the hospital. DH couldn't pack things for me, but he could give a friend the list, so I wouldn't wind up with nothing but a hospital gown. (I did that once, and I really missed having a toothbrush, among other things.) In a crisis situation, it would be hard to remember all the critical things, like DH's CPAP.
This is probably beyond the recommendations for an emergency plan, but I'm also working on a list of financial information: bills, bank account, safe deposit box, insurance, taxes, etc. If I were to suddenly become incapacitated, somebody responsible would need to know all of that.
We already have a Council on Aging case manager, a home care agency, and have picked a nursing home that DH has been to for respite. This information is in an emergency file for whoever has to take over DH's care, if I am unable to continue.
In spite of all this, I still feel like I'm not really ready for an emergency. Wouldn't it be handy if somebody would write lists of everything we need to have for emergency plans that would cover all contingencies? Maybe your counselor does have lists like that, or at least more information she could share with you.
The Alzheimer's Association has a "File For Life" clear plastic packet on a magnet that holds the important information that you place on the refrigerator for the Emergency staff that may come to your home and a sticker for your door so that they know to look for it. As Jan says, it has a DNR, all of his medications and how much of each and when they are given; your health insurance; his/her doctor; emergency numbers, etc.
My children have a list of my close friends to notify; my friend at the office has my POA to hold until my children can fly in....They are on all my bank accounts and safety deposit box.
Like Jan said, I also don't feel like I'm really ready for an emergency either!!! <grin> I've been working on this for three years! <grin>
This is really important. As I said on another thread, I discovered that I need to have this in place if I were to get sick or have surgery or something..Who would know where I hide his meds so DH doesn't play with them, who would know who his doctors are? I filled out something when I was on a trip last summer and others were here with him but it is not enough. This would be a good thread for suggestions for things to include or to add to what we already have. One Item I needed was a mapquest map of directions of how to get to places like doctor offices and the hospital.. But it could also include things like...where to take the car if it needs a fix, or who the gardener is and when bills need paying..there is just so much to always think about.
Oh and another thought..what about weather emergencies..we have a set up for earthquake if we have to get out..foods and some paper goods, water etc and a first aid box near the door of the garage that goes out to the patio not the door that goes up which is the weakest wall of the house...don't forget that too..if we are on respite and that kind of emergency comes along " what is a poor mother to do" as my DH would say.
I have an emergency box in the car trunk, including a blanket, a case of bottled water, first aid kit, emergency car kit....
I also have those "touch me" battery powered lights on the nightstands and an emergency light in the bathroom that doesn't need electricity. When our power went out one night - I think it has been about two years ago now...I found out that my husband was shaking with fear...he could no longer reason out what had happened. So we had a thread here on what to do and what to keep handy. Some got emergency home generators. Canned foods in case we couldn't leave the house for days and couldn't cook (no gas or electricity)...
Can someone find that thread? I am not good at locating the old ones....
Mary, I have looked for the File of Life from the ALZ organization and can't find it. I've searched on the web also. I find references to it - but no where to obtain it.
Vickie, e-mail me on Facebook (not on the wall, just send me a message) of your address and I'll mail one to you. I am a facilitator here and have two or three extra ones to hand out.
I did...You are a sweetheart and I love you. You remind me of my oldest daughter, Jan, who chose to be a redhead many years ago. Sometimes hers is red and again it's redder and sometimes you could say it's reddest. I'm afraid to hit spell check on those reds...Now, for the record I didn't mean you were not a natural red headed momma. I'm tired and I have a tendency to get silly sometimes.
I was born with red hair, but it turned blond, then golden brown, then brown, then dark brown with red highlights....then gray began creeping in and I started coloring it....and will continue to do so....But I'm no longer a natural red...<grin>
And I love you too! Even if your team beat mine last Saturday!!! And you were so nice - you didn't rub it in! <grin>