Coping with Emergencies in People with Dementia

During wartime, we all likely experience stress, anxiety, and emotional distress to varying degrees. For some people with dementia, this is even more complicated. They may have difficulty understanding the change in circumstances and adapting accordingly.

Additionally, they may have difficulty expressing the emotions they are experiencing. Therefore, it is recommended that a family member or another caregiver stay with them during such times.

Staying at home with people with dementia during emergencies

• Limit exposure: refrain from leaving news reports on throughout the day to minimize the feelings of anxiety. Even viewing news on mute is not advisable, as recurring visuals may be perceived as new reports by people who experience memory decline.
• Do not share or show people with dementia visuals or videos that are hard to watch.
• Daily routine: try to create a consistent daily routine and remember that people with dementia have better and worse days. Therefore, activities that may be appropriate one day may prove challenging the next.
• Maintain their health: engage in physical activity indoors or outdoors while remaining close to a secure area. Maintain a regular eating and drinking routine, as food and nutrition play a crucial role in upholding quality of life and mental well-being.
• Share only vital details: refrain from discussing actions to be taken during siren alerts, as the person with dementia may not retain the information, and the conversation could induce stress or anxiety.

Guidelines for emergencies for older adults and their families (Hebrew)

Getting prepared at home and in the secure area for people with dementia during wartime

• Ensure that the passage to the secure area is accessible and easily reachable, even with a walker or a wheelchair.
• If the secure area or residential safe space is located within the residence, consider relocating the person with dementia to that designated area.
• If the secure area is a shelter or the staircase, make sure in advance to put a chair there.
• Assemble an emergency preparedness bag in the secure area, including: a bottle of water and non-perishable food, medical supplies, assistive devices and backup batteries for medical equipment, a change of clothes, hygiene products, current medications and a printed medication list (with dosages), copies of identity documents and vital medical documents, cash and keys.
• Ensure an adequate supply of essential items at home, including food, medications, a mobile phone charger, batteries, a whistle, and a cherished personal item for the person with dementia.

We prepared a brochure for family members and healthcare providers for people with dementia. In this brochure, you will find essential information and guidance regarding emergencies, including the following issues:

• How to maintain a daily routine for people with dementia.
• Ways to do physical activity during emergencies.
• How to maintain healthy eating habits and nutrition, with specific considerations for emergencies.
• Nurturing the mental well-being of people with dementia, and that of their family members and caregivers.