"I Thought There Would Always Be Tomorrow" – Why Every Carer Needs an Emergency Plan

One of our members recently shared her experience with us. She asked if we would share it with others in the hope that it might encourage carers to put an emergency plan in place before they need one.

Her story isn't intended to scare anyone. It is simply a reminder that life can change very quickly.

My husband lives with dementia and, like many people, I knew I needed to prepare for the future. I always intended to get things organised, but there always seemed to be another day to do it.

Then one day, without warning, I was admitted to hospital.My stepdaughter came immediately to help, for which I will always be grateful. However, she quickly realised that caring for her father was more difficult than either of us had expected. Our neighbours were wonderful. They cooked meals, took him out for coffee and checked in on him regularly. But he was distressed and couldn't understand where I was.

As it became clear that I would be in hospital for several weeks, it was obvious that he could no longer cope on his own.T hat's when The Good Company People and our Dementia Support Worker stepped in. Together they managed to find my husband a place in a local care home. But as you can imagine, he didn't want to go.

Suddenly he was in an unfamiliar environment surrounded by people he had never met before. To say he was distressed would be an understatement.

Being in hospital myself, there was very little I could do. Neighbours had to find his clothes, gather his belongings and help reassure him during an incredibly confusing time.

When I eventually returned home, it took months for us to begin rebuilding our routine and our relationship. In some ways, things have never quite gone back to how they were before.

Looking back, my advice is simple:Please don't put off planning for the future. None of us expects an emergency to happen tomorrow, but sometimes it does. There are people who can help you think through the options and put plans in place. You do not have to make these decisions alone. Most importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help.

The Question None of Us Want to Think About

If you support someone living with dementia, ask yourself this question:

What would happen if you were suddenly unable to care for them tomorrow?

Not next year. Not when you've got around to organising everything. Tomorrow.

It's a difficult question, which is probably why so many of us avoid it.

We tell ourselves we'll sort it out when things get worse. When we have more time. When life is less busy.

But emergencies don't arrive with warning.

A fall. A hospital admission. A sudden illness. A family crisis. A car accident. Any one of these could leave the person you support needing help immediately.

Having a plan in place isn't pessimistic. It's practical.

More importantly, it can prevent a crisis from becoming an emergency for everyone involved.

What Is CRESS?

In East Sussex, carers can register an emergency plan through the Carers Respite Emergency Support Scheme (CRESS).

The scheme is designed to ensure that if something unexpected happens to you, there is already a plan in place for the person you support.

The plan records important information about the person you care for, their needs and the people who may be able to help in an emergency.

If an emergency occurs, Adult Social Care can access the plan and coordinate support.

Why Register?

Many carers are the only person who knows:

• Which medication is taken and when

• What routines help the person feel safe

• Who to contact

• What causes anxiety or distress

• How to communicate effectively

• Where important documents, keys and information are kept

When a crisis happens, trying to gather all of this information under pressure can be overwhelming.

A registered emergency plan means much of this information is already available when it is needed most.

What Information Will You Need?

When creating a plan, you'll be asked to provide information about yourself as the carer and the person you support, including:

• Property details (including pets, spare keys or key safe information)

• Health conditions, medication and GP details

• Communication needs

• Mobility and personal care needs

• Any support services involved

You'll also be asked to provide details of up to three emergency contacts and their relationship to the person you support.

Before registering, make sure you have spoken to these people and that they are happy

to be included in your plan.

Carers Card

Once your plan is registered, you'll receive an East Sussex Carers Card.

The card contains a 24-hour emergency contact number. If something happens to you, Adult Social Care can access your emergency plan and begin arranging support.

What If Nobody Can Help?

Many carers worry because they don't have family living nearby.

The good news is that CRESS doesn't rely solely on family and friends. If the people listed on your plan are unavailable, Adult Social Care will work to arrange emergency support.

Any support arranged by Adult Social Care is free for up to 48 hours (or 72 hours over a weekend). If longer-term support is needed, there may be charges or a financial assessment to determine what contribution is required.

Our Advice

At Good Company, we often help carers think about future possibilities such as care homes, legal documents and finances.

Yet one of the most important plans is often the simplest: What happens if you can't be there?

You don't need to have all the answers. You simply need a plan that helps people know where to start.

As our member said so powerfully:

"Please don't put off planning for the future."

By registering an emergency plan with CRESS, you create a safety net for the person you support and give yourself valuable peace of mind.

How to Set Up Your Emergency Plan

You can create your emergency plan online through East Sussex County Council. Allow around an hour to complete the form.

If you would prefer support, you can complete it as part of a Carer's Assessment or Review, or ask your Dementia Support Worker for help.

You can also contact Care for the Carers on 01323 738390 or email info@cftc.org.uk and they will arrange to help you complete the process.

Because none of us knows what tomorrow will bring. But we can make sure there is a plan in place if it arrives sooner than expected.