Emergency Preparedness for Dementia Clients

Emergency preparedness for dementia clients requires special planning because the client cannot participate in their own rescue. Your preparation before an emergency determines what happens during one.

Section 01

What Makes Dementia Emergencies Different

Cannot follow instructions: A client cannot stop, drop, and roll on command or stay still when instructed during a medical crisis.
Cannot communicate symptoms: You must be ready to provide medical history, medications, and symptoms to paramedics.
May resist help: A frightened client may resist emergency responders. Your calm presence between client and responders is critical.
May move toward danger: In a crisis, a dementia client may move toward the danger rather than away from it.

Section 02

Before Every Shift: The Readiness Checklist

✓ Pre-shift readiness — know before you need it

Full address: Know the exact address including apartment number, gate codes, access directions.
Emergency contacts: Know where the list is. Have the primary contact in your phone.
Medication list: Know where it is — EMS needs this immediately on arrival.
DNR status: If the client has a DNR, know where the original document is posted — EMS must see it.
Medical alert devices: Know if the client wears one and how it works.
Exit routes: Know the fastest exits from each room.

Section 03

Fire Emergency

🔥

Get out first — call from outside

If fire is present or smoke is heavy: remove the client from the building first. Call 911 from outside. Do not search for belongings. Stay calm, use a firm guiding hand: "We're going outside now."

🚪

Know two exit routes

Identify two exit routes from every client's home at the start of your assignment. Know which doors open easily, how many stairs, and which direction they go.

⚠️

Smoke detectors

Non-functional detectors must be reported to the supervising nurse. This is a life-safety issue.

Section 04

Your Role with EMS

💡 You are the client's advocate and information source

When EMS arrives, be ready to tell them: what happened and when it started, current medications or where to find them, allergies, DNR status and location, emergency contact. Stay calm — your calm presence also helps the client remain calmer with unfamiliar responders.

Section 05

Module 5 Complete

✓ You have completed Module 5: Safety & Environment

You now have skills to assess the home environment, prevent falls and wandering, manage medications safely, and respond to emergencies with preparation and calm. Module 6 — the final module — focuses on the families around the client, and on you — the caregiver whose wellbeing makes everything else possible.