Disaster Planning Toolkit for People Living With Dementia

Disasters strike without warning, and emergency situations often worsen symptoms of dementia. Living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can make it hard to cope with disasters such as severe weather, fires, floods, earthquakes and other emergencies. The National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center, funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, has just released the Disaster Planning Toolkit for People Living with Dementia. The toolkit helps people living with dementia, family members, neighbors and friends understand what to expect in the event of a disaster and how to prepare. The toolkit consists of seven tip sheets and checklists that cover the following topics: Planning for a Disaster, Important Contacts, Emergency Supplies Checklist, My Medical Conditions and Care Needs, Disaster Planning Tips for People Living Alone with Dementia, Planning for After a Disaster, and Tips for Communication and Responding to Dementia Symptoms. The toolkit is tailored for people living with dementia and provides step-by-step guidance on topics such as developing a disaster communication plan for family and friends, planning for medical and care needs, gathering important documents, determining whether to evacuate or stay in place, choosing an evacuation destination, collecting emergency supplies, planning for pets, and knowing about available community resources. The toolkit also includes tips for caregivers and others assisting a person living with dementia and tips for individuals living alone.