The best approach to a crisis is being prepared before one ever happens. As a caregiver for your elderly loved one, it’s essential to have a plan of action, especially if you don’t deal well under pressure.
To thrive in a crisis means you have to react based on what’s happening at the moment, rationally, without emotion. Take a few minutes to fill in this Caregiver Crisis Preparedness Worksheet created by Viki Kind, author of The Caregiver’s Path to Compassionate Decision Making: Making Choices For Those Who Can’t, and see if your coping skills are up for the next challenge.
1. Think of a time when you handled a difficult situation really well. What did you do that made it easier? Better? More manageable?
2. Now, think of a time when you panicked, mishandled a situation, or when you didn’t make the right decision. What got in the way of thinking clearly enough to cope with what was happing?
3. What can I do to calm myself down so I can think more clearly?
How to Prepare for the next crisis
Get ahead of the game by gathering everything you need before a crisis happens.
1. Paperwork and Medical Information. Work with your parent or loved one to get copies of their personal information, including:
• Power of attorney, living will, trusts, access to safe deposit boxes, birth and marriage certificates, military records, drivers license, social security number, cemetery plot information and address book.
• Medical history, doctors’ addresses and phone numbers, prescription information, advanced health directives, Medicare and Medicaid information.
• Life insurance policy, automobile titles and insurance policies, long term care insurance policy, mortgage information and home owner’s insurance.
• Monthly bills, bank account information and other records of financial accounts.
2. Pack a Kit. Before you have to run out the door on a second’s notice, know what you need to take with you – better yet — have a kit already packed and ready to go that you keep in the trunk of your car. Here are some things you should include:
• A change of clothes, including night clothes.
• Phone/computer chargers.
• Books, magazines.
• Bottled water, snacks
• Your own medications
3. Contacts and Calls. Should a crisis occur, have a list of contacts and stand-bys to help you out.
• If you have children, have a designated person set up who can watch them at a moment’s notice.
• Call your spouse and siblings. Alert your loved one’s friends and neighbors if necessary to look after their house, pets, etc.
So, when the next crisis happens.
1. Calm down
2. Make phone calls
3. Grab your kit
4. Bring the paperwork
5. Did we mention, calm down
Your Next Move can help you locate the perfect senior housing for your aging loved one. Our team of relocation specialists are also with you through every step of the transition process including downsizing, estate sales, moving household goods, and home sale.
This blog post is brought to you by the team at Your Next Move. If you are interested in further information you may contact us below. LIKE us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get the most current communication on the subject of senior relocation. Please join our mailing list.
Your Next Move, Easing Your Senior Transition
Julie Kopetsky, President
www.yournextmovenc.com
919-601-8203
Julie.kopetsky@yournextmovenc.com