Today’s post is actual a handout I put together after making several emergency and hospital trips with my parents. Things can happen fast and it helps to be prepared. Remaining calm while being strong can be exhausting. Hopefully this will help you.
Hospital Emergencies: What You Can Do Now
Planning ahead is key to making an unexpected or planned trip to the hospital easier for you and your care partner. Here is what you should do now.
Register your relative for a MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return® bracelet through your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter. People who are lost may be taken to an emergency room. This bracelet will speed up the process of reconnecting you with your care partner.
Know who you can depend on. You need a family member or trusted friend to stay with your care partner when he or she is admitted to the emergency room or hospital.
Have someone meet you at the hospital if possible so that one person can take care of the paperwork and the other can stay with your care partner.
Pack an Emergency Bag Containing the Following:
Personal Information Sheet
- Create a document that includes the following information about your care partner:
Preferred name and language (some people may revert to native languages in late-stage Alzheimer’s disease)
- Contact information for doctors, key family members, clergy and helpful friends (also program into cell phone, if applicable)
- Illness or medical conditions
All current medicines and dosage instructions
Any medicines that have ever caused a bad reaction
Any allergies to medicines or foods; special diets
Need for glasses, dentures or hearing aids
Degree of impairment and amount of assistance needed for activities
Paperwork
Include copies of important documents such as:
- Insurance cards (include policy numbers and pre-authorization phone numbers)
- Medicaid and/or Medicare cards
- Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, Living Will and/or an original DNR (do not resuscitate) order
Supplies for the Care Partner
- A change of clothing, toiletries and personal medications
- Extra adult briefs (e.g., Depends), if usually worn. These may not be available in the emergency room if needed
- Moist hand wipes such as Wet Ones; plastic bags for soiled clothing and/or adult briefs
- Reassuring or comforting objects
Supplies for the Caregiver
- A change of clothing, toiletries and personal medications
- Pain medicine such as Advil, Tylenol or aspirin. A trip to the emergency room may take longer than you think. Stress can lead to a headache or other symptoms.
- A pad of paper and pen to write down information and directions given to you by hospital staff. Keep a log of your care partner’s symptoms and problems. You may be asked the same questions by many people. Show them what you have written instead of repeating your answers.
- A sealed snack such as a pack of crackers and a bottle of water or juice for you and your care partner. You may have to wait for quite a while.
- A small amount of cash.
- A note on the outside of the emergency bag to remind you to take your cell phone and charger with you.
By taking these steps in advance, you can reduce the stress and confusion that often accompany a hospital visit, particularly if the visit is an unplanned trip to the emergency room.
At the Emergency Room
A trip to the emergency room may fatigue or even frighten your care partner. There are some important things to remember:
Be patient. It could be a long wait if the reason for your visit is not life-threatening.
Recognize that results from lab tests take time.
Offer physical and emotional comfort and verbal reassurance to your relative. Stay calm and positive. How you are feeling will get absorbed by others.
Realize that just because you do not see staff at work does not mean they are not working.
Be aware that emergency room staff often have limited training in Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
Do not leave the emergency room to go home without a follow-up plan. If you are sent home, make sure you have all instructions for follow-up care.
Hospital Stays
You are your loved one’s advocate…never leave them alone.
Establish a support team.
- Communications – you alert one person who passes information on to others. Silence your phone if possible.
- Line up relief persons to allow you to rest
- Have someone bring you healthy snacks and drinks
Helpful Hints
Be polite with staff and they will appreciate you being there to assist.
Speak to doctors in the hall when possible.
Eliminate television if it is agitating to the patient.
Limit visitors.
Do not hesitate to ask questions.
Work with the social worker.
Watch for signs of pain and ask for medication if you sense it is needed.
Ask for a cot, pillow, blanket, etc.
Word for Today
But I will restore you to health
and heal your wounds,’
declares the Lord,
Jeremiah 30:17
Song for Today
Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father,
Sometimes we find ourselves afraid and alone when crisis hits. We thank you for always being with us through the good days and the tough days. Help us to learn to trust you to walk with us even when we face uncertainty as caregivers. Give us strength and peace so we can make the important decisions that arise.
Order the steps of physicians and therapists who step in to provide care in emergencies. Show us how to be an effective advocate while remaining steady and full of grace.
We rest in knowing you are there with us.
Amen
Walking Them Home 