Late last week, Tropical Storm Katrina lumbered out of the Bahamas only to pick up speed as it headed directly for the area of South Florida in which I live.  I went home to quickly prepare the house for her arrival. I spent that afternoon cursing myself for not doing all of the hurricane preparations I had promised to do after last year’s eventful season. Later that evening, Katrina developed into a hurricane and veered slightly south, pretty much missing our neighborhood.  We were without electricity for a day, but thankfully not much more.

As I awoke Saturday morning, the havoc Katrina wrought on the neighborhoods south of me filled the airwaves.  Later she made a surprise visit to Key West, dumping many inches of water as she stalled over the Keys.   Yet, the devastation that Katrina caused Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama fills all of us with grief and concern for those living in those states.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all living in those affected areas and their loved ones.
(Storm Preparations: Those Extra Precautions)

Now onto the two caregiving lessons:

1. It pays to be prepared.  If you are not a caregiver, you never know when you will get that phone call in the middle of the night informing you of a loved ones illness.

When my dad took ill, I remember sitting on the floor of my parents living room, searching through boxes of papers, trying to find the ones I needed.  Two weeks earlier he was a healthy 59 year old retiree, who had always handled our family’s finances, with no thought that we would soon be at a loss for what to do upon his sudden illness.  

2.  Like a hurricane, you never know where the next healthcare challenge will strike. Do you have all of the Advanced Directives in place for your loved one?  That’s great, now what about you?  Do you have your own Advanced Directives in place?  Who will be your caregiver, if you should need one?  Have all adults in your family discussed their end of life wishes with one another?

Like hurricanes, we can’t plan for everything, even the best of plans do not allow you to escape all pain, and we can never know upon whom disaster will next fall. But, having a plan in place is sure a lot better than scrambling when healthcare disaster strikes.

Take it from one who knows.

Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com