Alzheimer's Association Statement on Disaster Preparedness

CHICAGO, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With Gustav and the hurricane
season upon us, some people with Alzheimer's may be impacted by evacuations.
In some cases, people with Alzheimer's may have been separated from the only
caregivers or loved ones who know about their condition. Some facts about
Alzheimer's and wandering:

-- A person with dementia may lose his/her ability to learn and problem-
solve and it can be extremely difficult for them to adjust to cope with
change, particularly change in environment.
-- Up to 60 percent of people with dementia will wander; many do so
repeatedly. The risk for wandering is higher when the individual is
displaced or moved to a new environment.
-- Up to 50 percent of victims who wander will face serious injury or
death if they are not found within 24 hours.

The Alzheimer's Association MedicAlert +Safe Return program is a
nationwide identification and support program that operates at the community
level. Assistance is available 24 hours a day, every day. Since its inception,
Safe Return has helped facilitate over 16,000 safe returns. Last year, over
2,000 wandering incidents were reported to the program.
Here's a link to the disaster preparedness link on alz.org:
http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_disaster_preparedness.asp.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact 312-335-4078 or
media@alz.org.
Fact Sheet: Disaster preparedness from the Alzheimer's Association

Advance preparations
-- If your loved one lives in a residential facility, find out about its
disaster and evacuation plans. Ask if you will be responsible for
evacuating your loved one.
-- Whether your loved one lives with you, or you are a long-distance
caregiver, make sure evacuation plans include his or her specific
needs. Check your local Alzheimer's Association and other organizations
that provide services for the elderly to see if help is available.
-- Prepare an emergency kit (see below for suggestions).
-- Alzheimer's Association Safe Return(R) is an identification and support
program that provides assistance for a person with Alzheimer's who
wander and become lost, either locally or far from home.
-- Enroll in Safe Return by phone, online or by mail. Call toll-free
at 1.888.572.8566, or visit www.alz.org/safereturn/.
-- If you are already registered in Safe Return, make sure your
information is updated.

If you know a pending disaster is about to occur:
-- Get yourself and the person with Alzheimer's to a safe place.
-- If the need to evacuate is likely, do not delay. Try to leave as early
as possible to minimize long delays in heavy traffic.
-- Alert others (family, friends, medical personnel) that you are changing
locations, and give them your contact information. Contact them
regularly as you move.
-- Be sure there are people other than the primary caregiver who have
copies of the person with dementia's medical history, medications,
physician information and family contacts.
-- Purchase extra medications.
-- If your loved one uses oxygen, be sure to obtain portable tanks.

Emergency Kit
Consider preparing an emergency kit in advance. Keep it in a watertight
container and store it in an easily accessible location. Your emergency kit
might include: -- Easy on/off clothes (a couple of sets).
-- Supplies of medication (or minimally, a list of medications with
dosages).
-- Velcro shoes/sneakers.
-- A spare pair of eyeglasses.
-- Incontinence products.
-- Extra identification items for the person, such as an ID bracelet and
clothing tags.
-- Copies of legal documents, such as a power of attorney.
-- Copies of medical documents that indicate the individual's condition
and current medications.
-- Copies of insurance and Social Security cards.
-- Use waterproof bags to hold medications and documents.
-- Physician's name, address and phone numbers (including cell phone).
-- Recent picture of the person with dementia.
-- Hand lotion or other items to promote comfort.
-- Bottled water.
-- Favorite items or foods. Liquid meals.
-- Pillow, toy or something else to hug.
-- Alzheimer's Association and Safe Return phone numbers.

More information on disaster preparedness from the National Hurricane
Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.
During an evacuation
People with dementia are especially vulnerable to chaos and emotional
trauma. They have a limited ability to understand what is happening, and they
may forget what they have been told about the disaster.
Be alert to potential reactions that may result from changes in routine,
traveling or new environments. -- When appropriate, inform others (hotel or
shelter staff, family members,
airline attendants) that your loved one has dementia and may not
understand what is happening.
-- Do not leave the person alone. It only takes a few minutes to wander
away and get lost.
-- Changes in routine, traveling and new environments can cause:
-- Agitation
-- Wandering
-- Increase in behavioral symptoms, including hallucinations,
delusions and sleep disturbance.
-- Do your best to remain calm. The person with dementia will respond to
the emotional tone you set.

Tips for preventing agitation
-- Reassure the person. Hold hands or put your arm on his or her shoulder.
Say things are going to be fine.
-- Find outlets for anxious energy. Take a walk together or engage the
person in simple tasks.
-- Redirect the person's attention if he or she becomes upset.
-- Move the person to a safer or quieter place, if possible. Limit
stimulation.
-- Make sure the person takes medications as scheduled.
-- Try to schedule regular meals and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
-- Avoid elaborate or detailed explanations. Provide information using
concrete terms. Follow brief explanations with reassurance.
-- Be prepared to provide additional assistance with all activities of
daily living.
-- Pay attention to cues that the person may be over-whelmed (fidgeting,
pacing).
-- Remind the person that he or she is in the right place.

Helpful hints during an 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. For example, say, "You're frightened and want to go home. It's
ok. I'm right here with you."
-- Don't argue with the person or try to correct. Instead, affirm his or
her experience, reassure and try to divert attention. For example, "The
noise in this shelter is frightening. Let's see if we can find a
quieter spot. Let's look at your photo book together."

Take care of yourself
-- Take care of yourself by finding a good listener to hear your thoughts
and feelings about the event.
-- Find moments to breathe, meditate and reflect.

The Alzheimer's Association, the world leader in Alzheimer research, care
and support, is dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an
eventual cure for Alzheimer's.
24/7 Helpline 1.800.272.3900
TDD Access 312.335.8882
Web site www.alz.org
E-mail info@alz.org

Fact sheet updated May 2006
This is an official publication of the Alzheimer's Association but may be
distributed by unaffiliated organizations and individuals. Such distribution
does not constitute an endorsement of these parties or their activities by the
Alzheimer's Association.
SOURCE Alzheimer's Association

Alzheimer's Association, +1-312-335-4078, media@alz.org