Important Preparations for Seniors, Families and CAREGivers

It’s never a pleasant topic to think about, but what would you do if an emergency situation arose while you were with a senior relative? Would you know what to do? Would you know who to call? How would you raise the alarm?

Whether it’s a sudden illness, injury or hospitalisation, being prepared for the unexpected can make all the difference during a medical emergency. Home Instead’s In Case of Emergency guide is designed to help you and your loved ones collate important information needed to help you in case of an emergency. Being prepared for the unexpected will ensure you are equipped to assist them promptly and confidently should an emergency or crisis situation arise.

The In Case of Emergency booklet outlines important contacts, medical information and documents to prepare for your loved ones to access in case of an emergency such as:

  • Next of Kin, Power of Attorney, GP and other important contacts
  • Current Vaccinations
  • Allergies
  • Private health insurance provider and number
  • Medicare card
  • Blood Type
  • Medical Conditions
  • Current Medications
  • Important Birth/Marriage/Death Certificates
  • List of current prescriptions from your GP
  • Driver’s license
  • Passport
  • Pension card
  • Healthcare card
  • Last Will and Testament
  • Advance Care Plan/Advance Health Directive
  • Power of Attorney appointment
  • Certificate of insurance for each policy you hold
  • House deed/mortgage documents or rental agreement
  • Inventory of valuable household contents including jewellery
  • Electronic back up of important computer files and documents

Other things to consider

Ensure you have a first aid kit with essential supplies on hand in your home and/or your car.

It’s also a good idea for a trusted friend or family member to have access to a spare set of keys.

In the event an emergency situation goes unnoticed, it is a good idea to have emergency alarms around the home. This can include installing alarm buzzers in rooms, such as bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchens, or equipping your loved one with an emergency alert bracelet so it can be easily accessed if they fall.

If you are the regular carer of a senior loved one, you should familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of common medical emergencies, such as a stroke, heart attack, pneumonia and infections, as well as having a plan in place of what to do if an emergency situation occurs.

You can download the Emergency+ App which assists people to find the right contact details in the case of an emergency. The app also provides emergency call-takers with your location from your phone’s GPS for faster action.

We hope you never find yourself in a crisis situation, but sadly emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. Being prepared will reduce the amount of fear and anxiety should a crisis arise, enabling you to better deal with the situation.

If you have any questions on concerns regarding in case of emergency preparations, please do not hesitate to contact our local care team on 1300 008 018.

And, of course, dial 000 in an emergency!