The current pandemic is teaching us that we need to be prepared. If the caregiver becomes ill, who will take care of your loved one? You need to have a plan.
Even for common events you need a plan. Perhaps you want to attend a wedding that is out of town; perhaps you want to help a friend move.
It is nearly impossible to find a place that can take care of your family member the same day or even next day. Plan ahead!
- Plan for an alternate caregiver. This could be family or a friend or neighbor. Make sure you have instructions for them.
- You can connect with a homecare agency so that they can send a caregiver. Find an agency now and complete required paperwork.
- Another option is to take your loved one to a residence that offers overnight stays. Look for an assisted living residence near you, perhaps an adult foster home. Connect with them and complete all paperwork in advance.
- Paperwork to prepare:
- List of doctors with phone numbers
- Important phone numbers: yours, other family members
- List of medications
- List of allergies (foods and medications)
- Any Power of Attorney (POA) or Living Will or Health instructions you may have
- Brief description of medical conditions
- List of what your family likes to eat or drink
- List of habits or what they like or dislike: types of music, TV programs, animals, do they like to sleep late or stay up late at night? Do they like it warm? Do they get cold easily?
- Put together an emergency bag: clothes, family photos, meds, hygiene items, no-slip house shoes
