Posted 8-27-19
I am an IT Professional by trade although I have a host of hats. Yesterday’s storm knocked out the internet at mom’s nursing home. Mayhem, chaos, lions, tigers and bears, (oh my!) ensued. How do we function without the internet???? Some panicked, others rejoiced. All had their jobs take longer. So, how do we navigate in an internet-centric world when the internet goes down…and what does that have to do with dementia in a dementia blog? (Mark, reaching for shoehorn…)
First question: How do we navigate in an internet-centric world when the internet goes down? What if something bigger happened with it? My simple solution: make provision now for getting to data and some of your money without the internet. I am not a prepper. I have no bus buried in my rental yard with rations for 26 years. I do, however, believe in the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ Ready in 3 program which outlines how to be ready for a disaster. Look it up or click my link. Basically, have a plan to be safe and to get information and always have an emergency kit with 3 days’ provision and important papers. No buried bus, unless that is your thing… I am disaster planner for SeniorAge and can help you further if you would like. I also help organize a little group of folks helping people who may slip through the cracks of traditional preparedness called COVER. Here is my fledgling website. 🙂
Now, more importantly for this blog’s purposes, are there any ramifications should you have a loved one with dementia? Here are a couple thoughts:
If you are at home:
- Doctor’s offices (and nursing homes) are largely dependent on the internet for data. Some may have paper or offline backups, but, regardless, prepare for a little longer time to get things done at the doctor’s office.
- It wouldn’t hurt to have a current copy of your medical records at home or in your safe deposit box. They are required to provide them to you (the POA) without a large expense.
- Always have a paper medicine list with names and doses.
- Keep a paper medical diary of visits (what was said, changes in meds/conditions, etc…)
- Ready in 3 readiness will help too. For example, keep a small amount of money available, but hidden so that your loved one with the condition doesn’t do something with it.
If your loved one is at a memory unit:
- The above items apply where relevant.
- If the power goes off in town, it wouldn’t be a bad plan to visit the nursing home. If their internet is down, they could use old paper copies of medicine lists that may have changed. They have a very limited number of med techs. It wouldn’t hurt a bit to be available at medicine time to double-check. They have a plan, but they may or may not have tested it because they are super short-staffed. This is not a slap at nursing homes, it is just a reality.
- Knee-jerk reactions to technological adversity may make things harder there. They may have power of attorney or HIPAA info all online and this may slow your access. Last directives, hopefully, are kept available more than just the sticker system.
- Patients with dementia sense tension and hate change. Prepare for more disruptions, noises and anxiety among the patience…I mean patients.
- The cream rises to the top. Watch which staff are freaked out and which ones have cool heads. It is always helpful to know who is strong in an emergency.
- Don’t worry…things will be better soon. 😉 Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Update: Had a nice visit with mom yesterday among the IT chaos. We hung out for about 3 hours. She said very few things to me but made eye contact a lot, albeit staring through me quite a bit. She was smiling often and seemed generally happy. She is very deliberate with movements these days. It took 20-30 seconds for her to get her hand up to scratch her ear. But, she is happy, peaceful and not in apparent pain, so it is still a win I suppose. She is miles away from where she was a few short months ago, though. I am not a prophet, nor a doctor, but I feel like she will be gone to her heavenly reward before year’s end. No internet worries where she is going!
Note: There are a few weeks left to sign up to my Walk to End Alzheimer’s team or donate to the cause. I hate begging for money…I really do. Donate if you can, but find a walk and attend or join my little team September 21st. 🙂 It is completely worth your time!
#EndALZ