B.C. dementia caregivers urged to plan ahead for summer climate emergencies

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is reminding residents in the Fraser-Fort George area to take proactive measures to support people living with dementia as the region braces for summer heat and potential climate emergencies.

The society says dementia can affect a person’s ability to communicate or even recognize when to ask for help which leaves many people living with the disease vulnerable to the uncertainty and emotional trauma caused by heat and other emergency situations.

Planning ahead can ease and assist people living with dementia through sudden changes in the environment.

“Emergency situations will disrupt the routine of someone living with dementia whether living at home or in care,” says Kimberly Mckercher, provincial coordinator of staff training and development at the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

“In certain situations, they have limited ability to understand what is happening during evacuations. Creating evacuation plans and preparing emergency kits are essential steps to ensure a prompt response during emergencies.”

The society says that 61 per cent of people with dementia live at home in the community. Studies have also shown that climate change (extreme heat, flooding, changes in infectious agents and wildfires) can exacerbate dementia symptoms.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. suggest preparing an emergency kit, keep it in a watertight container in an easily accessible location.

Some of the suggested items include:

• Easy on/off clothes (a few sets) and Velcro shoes/sneakers
• Supplies of medication (or a list of medications with dosages)
• An extra pair of glasses
• Incontinence products
• Extra identification items for the person, such as an ID bracelet and clothing tags
• Copies of legal documents, such as a power of attorney
• Copies of medical documents that indicate the individual’s condition and current medications

For more resources on tips specific to dementia, including preparing for emergency and disasters and how to respond during a disaster, visit alzbc.org/summer-emergency.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s also has First Link  Dementia Helpline which ensures that families and care workers can connect to knowledgeable and supportive staff and access trusted resources on emergency preparedness. 

The Helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Information and support is also available in Punjabi (1-833-674-5003) and in Cantonese or Mandarin (1-833-674-5007), available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.