Planning Ahead #22

For peace of mind, caregivers should make arrangements in advance for unforeseen emergencies. For example, health, family or business issues could require you to be away. Unless someone trustworthy can temporarily step in, your person will need a professional to stay in your home 24/7 until you return. Another option is outside care.

In the event placement is your only choice, facilities have pre-admission requirements you will need to meet. This typically takes time and includes a personal assessment such as dietary considerations, ADL needs, medical documents signed by doctors, TB test and prescription information. Thus, you could find yourself in a dilemma if you must leave quickly and there is no place for your person to go.

Another reality is that most facilities don’t provide temporary care on short notice or at all. For this reason, it is wise to shop around. This takes time too. Those who provide temporary beds or rooms often require minimum visits up to two-weeks. If less time is needed away, your expenses might be more than you thought.

We found a place that let my wife come twice per week for day care. Three meals were provided plus daytime supervision and entertainment. I was able to join her for breakfast and dinner at no extra charge. I usually did both to put her at ease and, just as importantly, to establish familiar routines. The balance of those days was free for my respite. Fortunately for us, we were prepared if an emergency did occur, but it never did. Planning ahead gave us a place where she could go immediately.

Also, think about security for jewelry or other personal items when taken to facilities outside your home. When something is missing, the dilemma is not knowing whether your person was responsible or someone else. Truth is, persons with dementia can be easily victimized. My wife was constantly hiding things in her paranoia (to keep them safe) including my billfold that took three days to find with dumb luck!  Halleluiah!

Another possibility is to take your person along. This can be challenging under the best of circumstances when commercial travel is involved but depends greatly on how far their dementia has progressed. My advice is to learn as much beforehand as you can. Author, Jan Dougherty, wrote a wonderful book titled, Travel Well With Dementia. Her vast knowledge on the subject offers many practical tips to make your travel more enjoyable.

You may learn ultimately as we did that traveling becomes altogether impractical.

© 2023 Gerald Lloyd Wood. This story and accompanying art are used with permission of the author, Gerald Lloyd Wood.