| Programs
& Services > Family Caregiver
Support Program > Emergencies
Emergencies
What to do and steps to take before they happen:
 Call
911 if the situation threatens life or safety.
Don’t take any chances. If the situation is out of control, call 911.
Columbia
River Mental Health Crisis Response: 360-696-9560 . Call
24-hours a day for help in any kind of crisis that doesn’t
require a 911 response.
Alzheimer’s
HelpLine: 1-800-733-0402. If something happens that you
don’t know how to deal with and if your loved one has dementia,
you may call this number 24-hours-a-day.
In
the event of a death at home, call 911 OR if the person
was receiving hospice care, call hospice.
Some things to consider before there’s an emergency:
First,
be prepared for an emergency.
Make a
plan, and know how to get help.
Have a
back-up plan in case your first plan doesn’t work.
Helpful Hints:
If your
family member is sometimes at home alone, a personal emergency
response system (such as Lifeline) can be installed. Pushing a
button that’s on a necklace or wristband calls for help at
any time, day or night.
Keep
phone numbers of neighbors with you, so you can call someone
who will check on your loved one when you’re away.
Give a trusted neighbor a key to the house in case your loved
one cannot get to the door.
Safe Return
is a program that identifies and returns to safety people who are
mentally disabled and have wandered away. It’s a program
of the Alzheimer’s Association, and includes a bracelet or
necklace with a toll free number that can be called when someone
finds the lost person. For more information, call 1-800-848-7097.
Project
Lifesavers is a program of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office
that provides tracking devices for elderly people who may wander
so they can be located quickly. For more information, call 360-397-6197.
If your
relative does not want to be placed on life support, documents
must be signed before a health emergency happens. Talk with your
family member about this, and ask the health care provider about
a living will.
 back
to top
 back
to Family Caregiver Support Program page
For more information,
call the Family Caregiver Resource Center:
360-694-8144 - Clark County
360-577-4929 - Cowlitz & Wahkiakum
Counties
509-427-9466 - Skamania County Senior
Services
509-493-3068 - White Salmon, Klickitat
County Senior Services
509-773-3757 - Goldendale, Klickitat
County Senior Services
|
