For families who have already evacuated: 

• Safety is your top priority. We understand this is a remarkably stressful and confusing time. For a person with dementia, it can be disorienting as well. Being forced to leave their familiar and safe places can lead to several types of challenging behaviors.

• Wandering is an even greater risk now. It is critically important that they never be left alone in an unfamiliar place. This is the time to lean on family and friends. If you don’t have local family who can help and you’re in a shelter, be sure to tell the staff at the shelter that your person has dementia. They are there to help you.

• As much as this situation is scary for you, it is even more so for a person with dementia. If your person is showing signs of agitation or discomfort, try to be patient with them. Remember that the disease may make it harder for them to understand what’s going on around them.

• If possible, provide them with activities to keep them occupied. Ask the person or people where you’re staying if they have puzzles, coloring books, playing cards, or if they can help with things around the house if you are staying in a home. If the shelter needs help organizing supplies, see if they’ll let your person help out.

• Try to stick to a schedule as much as possible. Make sure medications are given at regular times and ensure you and they get healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. Hydration is also important, so please be sure they are getting plenty of safe water to drink.

• If you were not able to take medications when you evacuated, call your pharmacy if they’re open and explain you need emergency refills. If your regular pharmacy is not available, call your doctor and ask them to send new prescriptions for all medications to a nearby pharmacy.

For families at risk for evacuation: 

• Prepare a “Go-Bag” for both you and the person you’re caring for. Be sure to gather all medications and any important documents like passports, birth certificates, ID cards, credit cards, etc.

• Contact the doctor now for any as-needed medication that might help with the possible agitation your person may experience if you must evacuate.

• Safety needs to be at the top of your list too! Be sure you’re aware of your person’s whereabouts at all times. Wandering from home is an elevated risk in this situation.

• If needed, gather several days’ worth of sanitary supplies, like adult diapers, as well as several changes of clothes. Don’t forget pajamas and essential toiletries.

• If you have a bracelet, like Medic Alert, or another method of informing others about your person’s health status, make sure they’re securely in place. Or consider pinning a card to your person’s clothes with “I have Alzheimer’s. Please call…” and be sure to include your name and contact information.

• Identify a special object that can provide comfort to the person like a stuffed animal, favorite sweater, or pillow.

• Gather family photos and albums so you can reminisce together.

• Pack games, puzzles, other activities, and an electronic device such as an iPad if your person likes to watch favorite shows. This will help keep your person occupied while you are out of your home.

• Pack a small cooler with your person’s favorite snacks.

• We know this is a very tense time for you. Try to stick to your normal routine as much as possible while you’re waiting to know if you need to leave or can stay safely in your home. Familiar routines will help keep your person calm and comfortable while you make decisions.

For families not at risk of evacuating but still impacted by the fires: 

• We know this is an overwhelmingly emotional time and we all feel drawn to keeping the news on all the time. The images and scale of devastation may be disturbing to the person you’re caring for. Try to minimize time with the TV news on.

• Stick to your routine. Although it may not be possible to go to some places like day centers or other programs, maintaining your person’s schedule as much as possible will help keep them calm and safely engaged.

• If the person you’re caring for asks questions, provide them with brief answers that reassure them that they are safe. We know you’re on edge too but be patient if they ask the same question several times. Keep providing brief answers to help them process what’s happening around them.