Lessons from the Gene Hackman Story every caregiver should know. 

by Samantha Kriegshauser, CAEd   Adult Enrichment Centers Inc 

If I was suddenly unable to care for my person what would happen next? In the case of Gene Hackman and his wife, if a simple plan had been in place, the outcome might have been very different. Unfortunately, they, like most of us, plan for the daily care not for something happening to us. 

Caregivers not only have to gather and plan for the daily tasks, but they also have the unfortunate responsibility of planning for the unthinkable: their sudden illness or death. We are hyper focused on providing care and even on supporting the caregiver but what protection is in place if the caregiver is suddenly unavoidably gone or incapacitated?

Some tips for caregivers to plan for the unthinkable: 

• Set up the required check-in for the same time every day. If the check-in is missed have a written plan of steps to follow. Be specific and intentional
• Leave written instructions: who are the doctors? What medications are to be taken and when? What pharmacy? allergies? preferences? What calms your person? What agitates them? Nicknames? What information you think emergency contacts would need?
• Is there a hidden key or remote access for emergencies?
• Are there weapons in the house?
• Are there animals? Who will be responsible for them?
• If you are unavailable for more than a few hours, who is the next person to call?
• Where do I find this information?

Obviously larger planning is needed for legal, medical, and financial concerns in case of death, but the short list is for urgent emergencies like an accident or health crisis. 

If you live far away and your person lives alone with a caregiver who comes in and out, then technology is your friend. 

• Nanny cams or security systems that let you see what’s happening in the home
• Alerts for entry or departures
• Medication alerts for missed doses
• A tracker on your person

Routines are important and provide a sense of security, so create a routine with your person and then follow if. For example: they call you to say good night every night at 9 or you remotely lock up the house at 9 and the security system is on for motion detection. Whatever works for you and your person. 

This is definitely not an exhaustive list but hopefully this can get the conversations started with Caregivers and action can be taken to make a plan to protect everyone.