Caregiver Emergency Plans Joy Schmidt Dementia Crisis Specialist - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Caregiver Emergency Plans

Joy Schmidt Dementia Crisis Specialist & Interim Dementia Care Specialist Dane County Human Services

Topics

• Building your Circle of Support
• Staying safe
• Tools you can use :
• File of Life
• Emergency Responder Tool
• Other tool
• Important documents – keep them together
• Power of Attorney for Health Care
• Power of Attorney for Finances

Building Your Circle of Support

You

Ask Share Plan

• Family & Friends
• Faith Communities
• Neighbors
• Senior Centers
• Advocacy Groups
• Volunteer Groups
• Letter carriers
• Support groups on line
• Government agencies

Handwashing

For those with memory loss

Hand Washing

• Establish a routine
• Explain why – simply and gently
• Break down the steps – one thing at a time
• Help them maintain independence
• Place sign or picture on bathroom mirror
• Wash together before meals with a song
• Use hand sanitizer or wipes if need be
• Make it a fun activity – soak and provide a

manicure with lotion

• Ask them to wash the dishes – you can

always re-wash them

• Play music

Wearing Masks

For those with dementia

Wearing Masks

• Establish a routine when putting on masks

before going out

• Wash your hands before assisting
• Use pictures to explain
• Keep it simple – “This will keep us from

getting sick”

• Make a mark on the mask to indicate which

side goes out

• Place it in a paper bag after use to keep it

clean between use – mark the front of the bag and always place it inside in the same way

• Make it fun

Tools you Can Use

File of Life

• Emergency contacts
• Doctor information
• Medication
• Medical issues
• Allergies
• Advanced Directives

First Responders Tool

• Tool for those with dementia
• General information
• Can they be left alone
• What comforts or soothes them
• What upsets them
• Strategies that work

File of Life - https://www.folife.org/

Free Covi-19 Emergency Preparedness Form https://www.folife.org/wp- content/uploads/UPDATE_FOL_ COVID19.pdf Or call the ADRC 608-240-7400 to have one with refrigerator magnet mailed to you.

First Responders Tool

• http://www.dane

adrc.org/cg_reso urces.aspx

Complete Care Plan Form

• https://www.cdc.

gov/aging/caregi ving/pdf/Comple te-Care-Plan- Form-508.pdf

Advanced Directives

• Types
• Living Will
• Power of Attorney for Health Care
• Power of Attorney for Finances
• Who should have a copy
• Your doctor
• The person you have appointed and other family members
• Your attorney
• Where to keep them – in a safe place
• When can they be used – when they have been activated
• Dane County Transitions of Care Info about Advanced Directives

https://youtu.be/wb4DC2GMgmo

Caring for Yourself

• On line or phone in support groups
• Calls to friends and family
• Many volunteer groups providing phone visits
• On line Brain & Body Fitness
• On line memory cafes
• Get outdoors
• Keep a routine
• Exercise
• Ask for help

Have a back up plan

• Family
• Friends
• In home caregivers
• Assisted Living options
• Connect with a Dementia Care Specialist
• Connect with your ADRC
• Share your plan with your family and your doctor

Joy Schmidt

Schmidt.joy@countyofdane.com

608-286-8183