Caring for an aging or sick loved one means that you have a set routine. Your days are planned around medications, meals, doctor’s appointments, and maybe even little bits of physical therapy, like moving from one room to the other or up and down the stairs.
It becomes normal, and both of you settle into it. But here’s the question most caregivers avoid. What happens if you’re not there? Even worse, what if there’s an emergency and no one around knows what to do?
According to the American Red Cross, just about one-third of U.S. adults know what to do in the event of a cardiac arrest or major emergency. That’s not very reassuring, especially for those caring for the sick or the elderly.
The truth is, most informal caregivers don’t think about a backup care plan until something goes wrong. But the thing about life is that the unexpected will always happen.
So the real question isn’t “do you need a backup plan?” It’s “how do you create one?
Let’s talk about what actually works.
Building Your Backup Care Network
The very first step in building your backup care plan is making sure you have the right people on board. The goal is to determine who can fill your shoes when the unexpected happens. This is your core care team, and deciding who belongs is a decision you have to be intentional about.
Here’s what it involves:
Identifying Trusted Backup Caregivers
Building your backup care network should start close to home. This means looking at family members, friends, and neighbors who already know your loved one, and who you’ll be comfortable leaving them with. These people probably come around once in a while and know the routine.
Don’t blindside them, though. Have an honest conversation with potential backups before signing them up. Also, don’t automatically assume they’ll know what to do. Schedule “practice runs” with them so that everyone can handle a real emergency.
Consider Professional Support
While friends and family members can be your first line of defense, they will definitely not be enough. This is where a personal care service comes in. These services provide professional in-home care aides who are trained to step in when the unexpected happens.
The idea, according to AmeriBest Home Care, is to give your loved one a personalized solution that respects their independence and, at the same time, ensures their safety and health. This is definitely the best thing you can do as an informal caregiver.
Interestingly, this trend is becoming quite popular. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the trend of employing home and personal care aides will grow 17% by 2034. The demand for these services is rising. Don’t wait for an emergency to make that call.
Don’t fail to do your due diligence, though. Pre-screen the agency and go only with the one that has licensed personal care aides. Unlicensed care aides will end up doing more harm than good.
Essential Components of a Backup Care Plan
Now, you know who’s stepping in. The next thing is to put together a list of items that help your support team know exactly what to do. Here’s what such a plan looks like.
Medical Information Binder
This is like your Bible, but for emergency preparedness. This binder should include a full list of medications and dosages, known allergies, and the names and contact numbers of every doctor, specialist, and pharmacy your loved one uses.
Maybe your Dad is allergic to a brand of antibiotics. Clearly state that in the binder. Then be sure to keep a physical copy where anyone can easily access it, maybe on top of the fridge. A digital copy should also be stored somewhere secure, like a shared cloud folder.
Daily Routine and Care Instructions
You should also have a document where the daily routine and care instructions are written. Clearly state care routine, bedtime routine, meal preferences, mobility needs, and anything related to the health of the person being cared for.
Does your Dad prefer to take his morning pills straight after waking up or with breakfast? Does he get anxious around loud noises? Write it down. All of it, and paste this document in a visible place, like on the door of your fridge.
Emergency Kit (“Go-Bag”)
Finally, prepare a go-bag and let it always be “ready-to-go”. This bag typically contains important medications, a change of clothing, toiletries, a phone charger, copies of important IDs and insurance cards, and any medical devices your loved one relies on regularly.
The purpose of the go-bag is to have a bag ready in case you have to rush your loved one to the hospital quickly.
Each year, roughly 3 million seniors visit the ER due to fall-related injuries, according to the CDC. A go-bag means that you’re not scrambling to pack if you end up in the ER at a moment’s notice.
Legal and Financial Documents
It’s also important that your backup caregivers know where to find, not necessarily access, just find, the important legal documents. They should be able to quickly lay their hands on things like a power of attorney, insurance cards, and Medicare or Medicaid information in case of an emergency.
A good idea is to place these documents in a locked file cabinet and keep the key with a trusted person.
Why Every Caregiver Needs a Backup Plan
You’re probably asking yourself, why exactly do I need a backup plan? Besides the fact that something may keep you away from your caregiver duties, there’s also the problem of caregiver burnout, which is very real and medically dangerous, especially for informal caregivers.
According to one study, over 33% of informal caregivers suffer from depression, while over 35% suffer from anxiety. That’s a big number. Unfortunately, it’s only going to get bigger.
But a backup plan can reduce the risk of these problems. This isn’t just a plan that protects your loved ones if the unexpected happens. It also protects you. It reduces the risk of not knowing what to do in emergency situations. It also gives you the permission to take a break, knowing that things won’t fall apart because you’re not there.
Start Your Backup Care Plan Today
Creating a backup care plan for unexpected situations is the best thing you can do as someone taking care of someone else at home. Hopefully, this guide has shown you what it involves and how to create one.
Of course, you don’t have to do it all in one afternoon.
Start by identifying who among your family and friends can support you when you are not available. Better yet, look into getting personal support from a professional service. If you can, do that this week.
Then, put together the information kit where all the important details can be found. You can do that the next day. Add the go-bag the week after. The small steps add up fast, and before you know it, your backup care plan is in place.
What you really can’t afford is to wait for a crisis to happen first. You have to be ready for anything, so that the people you love are always taken care of, no matter what.See More