A seasoned caregiver
has most likely faced some kind of traumatic natural event at one time or
another. Be it a hurricane, tornado, flood, wildfire or other phenomena, most
everyone knows that it pays to be prepared for the worst. It's not enough that
caregivers stock food, create a disaster medical kit and make shelter plans.
Family member carers, as well as paid caregivers, also have to know how to
reduce the worry and stress for persons with special needs during a disaster.
Advance Warning Helps Targeted Hurricane Victims Prepare
People normally
experience worry and anxiety in the face of a hurricane – the most dangerous of
all storms. Thanks to advance warnings from national and local weather
services, residents in the projected strike zone have ample time to evacuate or
carry out last-minute details at home. Time to act reduces some of the anxiety
and fear of being caught unprepared when a major storm hits.
When making a
hurricane disaster plan, don't automatically rule out evacuation just because
you think it's too much trouble to pack up and leave. Keep in mind that
emergency medical crews may not be available for hours – or even days – after a
hurricane strikes. Plenty of people will need help, but downed power wires,
fallen trees and debris will slow rescue efforts.
Be sure to get ready
to the potential natural disaster ahead of time by enrolling the patient in
MedicAlert + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return, a 24-hour nationwide
emergency response service for individuals with dementia that wander or who
have a medical emergency (find more information at 1.888.572.8566 or visit
www.alz.org). If the patient is already enrolled in MedicAlert + Safe Return,
make sure his /her information is up to date, especially in preparation for
storm season.
Caregivers and patients cope with sudden natural
disasters
Tornadoes present a
different set of problems; residents often have only minutes to seek safe
shelter before the storm hits. Tornadoes can do monstrous amounts of damage in
a very short amount of time. Homes may be lost and whole towns shattered.
Stress, anxiety and raw emotions can run high for weeks and months after a
storm. Caregivers can help by offering encouragement and compassion.
Professional help services and support groups can also help both caregivers and
patients.
Earthquakes happen
suddenly and occur with no warning. An earthquake along a coastal region can
mean a possible tsunami, so extra precautions and planning are necessary.
Earthquakes aren't defined by a season like hurricanes, so residents have to
stay prepared. Living close to one of the Earth's many fault lines is enough to
cause anyone anxiety. A caregiver can ease a patient's worry by keeping silent
about any news of a possible earthquake.
Forest fires can
break out almost anywhere, but are prone to spread quickly in areas where there
is little rain. Evacuating at the first sign of trouble will help keep ease the
stress. Extreme summer heat can present problems – especially for elderly
people and young children. Caregivers should know beforehand what to do in any
of these situations. Paid caregivers should also have instructions from family
members or other qualified source so they'll know what to do in the event a
sudden disaster strikes.
Tips for reducing patient stress and anxiety caused by
natural disasters
There are tips
caregivers can follow to reduce excessive worry in the wake of extreme weather
or other natural disaster. It's tough to stay composed, but the caregiver who
keeps her wits about her during a traumatic event will have a better chance of
surviving, and so will her patient. In addition to the plans and preparations
that everyone should automatically have in place, caregivers can use the
following suggestions:
- Do your best to remain calm, as you set
the tone for your loved one. Provide frequent reassurance.
- Decide how much information to give the
patient. It may be best to watch or listen to the news in another room if
graphic pictures or reports might upset the individual. Avoid elaborate
details. Provide information using concrete terms and follow brief
explanations with reassurance.
- Keep caregiver duties as close to
routine as possible while staying alert to conditions. Make sure your
loved one takes medications as scheduled. Be ready to act should the
situation suddenly change and worsen.
- Keep the patient's routine as close to
normal as possible. Try to schedule regular meals and maintain a regular
sleep schedule.
- Find outlets for anxious energy-engage
the person in simple tasks, distract/talk about memories, etc. Redirect the
person’s attention if he or she becomes upset.
- Avoid alcohol, drugs and excessive
smoking. Alcohol and certain drugs can cloud or distort a caregiver's
judgment. Avoid chain-smoking as a way to calm jumpy nerves.
- Move the person to a safer or quieter
place, if possible. Limit stimulation. This is one of the important reasons to
consider special needs/emergency shelters an absolute last resort. A
person with dementia may not do well in the crowded, chaotic environment.
- Delegate jobs to other family members if
possible.
- Accept water, food and offers of help
only from qualified sources (Red Cross, Salvation Army, military help and
so forth).
- Pay attention to cues that the person
may be overwhelmed, such as fidgeting or pacing.
- Remind the person that he or she is in
the right place.
Tips for dealing with severe episode of agitation
- Approach the person from the front and
use his or her name.
- Use calm, positive statements and a
patient, low-pitched voice. Reassure.
- Respond to the emotions being expressed
rather than the content of the words, as the person may not be able to
verbalize his/her true feelings.
- Don’t argue with the person or try to
correct perceptions. Instead, affirm his or her experience, reassure and
try to divert attention.
- Under no circumstances should a person
with Alzheimer’s be left alone following a natural disaster. Do not count
on the individual to stay in one place while you go to get help.
Get ready for evacuation
If there are reasons
to believe that you may need to evacuate someone with Alzheimer’s due to the
natural disaster, be ready and act carefully to minimize the risk for the
patients health:
- Have an emergency kit prepared with
items you may need. If the kit is not ready, quietly gather
supplies (flashlight, wallets, water, power bars or crackers and peanut
butter, blankets and pillows if you can) and don’t wait too long. It’s
best to give yourself plenty of time and try not to rush. Know where
you’re going—shelter, hotel, other family member’s house—and let others
know you’re A, B, and C plans. Remember the anxiety and physical situation may bring on different
needs for your loved one. You may need additional incontinence
products, consider what comfort items might help, and talk to your loved
one’s doctor beforehand about anxiety or behavioral concerns and
needs. Make sure you bring contact information, brief medical history,
copy of all insurance information –as well as house insurance since
many times you can’t get back into the house to get policies.
- Keep
medications in grab and go containers for quick evacuation. Take it
all–who knows when you’ll be able to get back to normal.
- Evacuate early and be extra
cautious. Being stuck in long traffic delays or feeling rushed is
not good for your loved one with dementia.
- Inform other family members or trusted
friends. Keep a calm attitude and stay as upbeat as possible. If you cannot
contact other family members before leaving the house write with a
lipstick or sharpie marker on your front door who is with you and where
you’ve gone—it’s awful to panic and worry that your loved ones can’t be
found
- People with dementia are especially
vulnerable during chaotic times. They have a limited ability to understand
what is happening. Be alert to potential reactions that may result from
changes in routine, traveling or new environments.
- When appropriate, inform others that
your loved one has dementia and may not understand what is happening.
Consider printing up some small cards that you can discretely hand to
someone with a brief explanation.
Basic
Emergency Supply Kit
•
Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at
least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
•
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable
food.
•
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA
Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
•
Flashlight and extra batteries.
•
First aid kit.
•
Whistle to signal for help.
•
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and
plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
•
Moist towels, garbage bags, and plastic ties for
personal sanitation.
•
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
•
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).
•
Local maps.
Stress after Natural Disaster
Family members must
face the possibility that paid caregivers won't be able to show up for work
after a disaster strikes. As a last resort, a critical-needs patient may have
to go to a local hospital for care. It may be days or weeks before paid workers
can get back on schedule again.
Relocating after a
disaster is going to be stressful; there's no way around it. The added burden
of being responsible for mobility equipment, patient supplies, oxygen,
medications and prosthetic devices can be exhausting and overwhelming. Home
caregivers can make it easier for family members by looking ahead to better
times. It may also help to talk about old memories and even to write them down
in a journal.
Careful planning is a
key to caregiver and patient survival in the event of a natural disaster. Keep
a master list updated and handy to make sure nothing is forgotten. Have an
escape plan ready to execute on the spur of the moment. Know where hospitals are
located in neighboring towns. Disaster preparedness is a sure way to keep
stress levels in check and keep anxiety to a minimum. Planning now will ease
the fear and reduce the chances any unwelcome surprises.
Sources and Additional Information:
http://maryking.suite101.com/caregiver-tips-reduce-stress--anxiety-during-a-natural-disaster-a375330
