Be ready with Alzheimer's patients
Prepare an emergency kit

The Alzheimer's Association recommends that caregivers for Alzheimer's patients prepare an emergency kit to keep handy in a watertight container.

Suggestions for items to put in the kit include:

•Two or three changes of easy-on/off clothes

•Medication, or at least a list of medications with dosages

•Velcro shoes/sneakers •Spare pair of eyeglasses

•Incontinence products

•Extra ID, such as a bracelet and clothing tags

•Copies of legal documents, such as power of attorney, insurance and Social Security cards

•Copies of medical documents indicating the individual's condition and medications

•Waterproof bags for storing medications and documents

•Physician's name, address and phone numbers

•Recent picture of the patient

•Hand lotion and similar items

•Bottled water

•Favorite items or foods, liquid meals

•Pillow, toy or something else to hug

•Phone numbers for the Alzheimer's Association and Safe Return

For more comprehensive instructions, visit www.alz.org.