Managing Dementia During Natural Disasters or Crisis

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia is challenging under the best circumstances. But what happens when you’re managing the care of a loved one with dementia during a natural disaster or crisis

Natural disasters and crises are an inevitable part of life. Whether you’re dealing with a hurricane, flood, wildfire, or tornado, these events are upsetting and stressful for everyone, especially those living with dementia.

Families and individuals face unique challenges when keeping loved ones safe, secure, and calm during natural disasters.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to successfully manage a loved one with dementia during a natural disaster or crisis.

Always Have a Detailed Emergency Plan

A detailed emergency plan is crucial to successfully surviving a natural disaster, especially if you live in disaster-prone areas such as Florida or California.

Having a detailed emergency plan will elevate stress, confusion, and anxiety for individuals with dementia and their families.

Your emergency plan should include:

• A Plan A, B, and C: Things happen, storms change paths, and traffic jams can derail even the best-made plans.
• Pre-packed bag: This allows you to move quickly and minimizes the chance of forgetting essential items for your loved one
• Contact information: Compile a list of emergency contacts, physicians, pharmacy information, local services
• Safe Places: Identify places you can go, such as the homes of family, friends, and local shelters.

Limit Disaster Information

It’s perfectly normal to constantly have the news or weather channel on TV during a natural disaster. However, where it’s an information source for you, it can cause extreme agitation, anxiety, and confusion for people with dementia.

Keep information to a minimum around a loved one with dementia, even when discussing the disaster with friends and family.

People with dementia don’t always process when things begin and end, so constantly hearing about the hurricane is overwhelming.

The less they know, the better. Your job is to keep them safe, secure, and calm.

Remain Calm

There is a lot of commotion and confusion during a natural disaster. People with dementia feed off the energy of the people around them, and a chaotic environment makes them nervous, agitated, or angry.

When you’re around them, remain calm. If you need a break to make plans, shop for supplies, or feel stressed and overwhelmed, have a family member spend time with them.

Consult Your Physician

Speak with your loved one’s doctor about solutions before a disaster. If needed, you can receive prescriptions to keep them calm and ensure you have prescriptions filled during a disaster.

Be Patient and Empathetic

During a crisis, your loved one may ask questions repeatedly, be suspicious, and be easily confused. They may need constant validation and reassurance that things are okay.

Although this can be frustrating, continue to reassure them that things will be ok. Patience and empathy will benefit you and your loved one when things get complicated.

Maintain a Routine

Routine is essential for people with dementia. Have a plan to maintain their routine.

Whether it’s a bag with their favorite magazines, puzzles, games, or music, having something to do throughout the day can refocus their energy and relax them.

Avoid Shelters and Hotels

If possible, stay with family members and friends, rent a small Airbnb, or respite services during a natural disaster when you have a loved one with dementia.

Shelters and hotels are noisy, chaotic, and full of strangers, which can cause stress, anxiety, and insomnia in people with dementia.

If you do need to go to a shelter or hotel, letting the people around you know your loved one has dementia can help.

Prepping the people around you so they know what’s happening with your loved one helps.

“Once people are aware of what’s going on, they will usually lean in to help and are understanding,” says Tim Guerrette, a retired Florida law enforcement chef whose father had dementia.

Trust Yourself and Ask for Help

Managing dementia during a time of high stress and uncertainty can overwhelm family caregivers. In addition to keeping your loved one safe, you must decide whether to remain home or relocate during a natural disaster.

It’s normal to question your choices. While remaining at home in familiar surroundings provides a sense of comfort and security for people with dementia, this can put them in danger. While moving to unfamiliar surroundings causes stress for everyone.

Trust yourself, give yourself some grace, and lower your expectations. Make plans without involving your loved one in the decision-making. Focus on making decisions that are best for your family's safety and well-being.

Ask for Help

Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. There are excellent resources to help families during a natural disaster or emergency.

• The Alzheimer’s Association helpline is available 24/7 at 800-272-3900
• The American Red Cross website offers information about emergency preparedness
• The National Hurricane Center provides hurricane alerts and tips
  
  

Wrap-up

Managing a loved one with dementia during a natural disaster or crisis requires planning, patience, and empathy.

Family caregivers have a lot to juggle. Keeping yourself, your loved one, and your home safe is overwhelming.

By preparing in advance, having a detailed emergency plan, and enlisting help from family, friends, and support groups, you can ensure the safety and well-being of your loved one and family.

Remember to give yourself grace, ask for help, and make decisions to keep your family safe.