When Alzheimer’s Changes More Than Memory: What Families Need to Understand Next

By Roz Jones

Alzheimer’s is not just about forgetting names, misplacing keys, or repeating a question.

Alzheimer’s changes routines.
It changes conversations.
It changes family roles.
It changes safety needs.
It changes the way people connect, respond, and move through the day.

And for the people providing daily support, it can feel like you are constantly learning a new version of someone you love.

Today, I want to talk about what Alzheimer’s can look like beyond the diagnosis — and how families can prepare with more patience, planning, and compassion.

Alzheimer’s Affects the Whole Family

When one person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the whole family feels the shift.

Someone may need to start managing medications.
Someone may need to attend doctor appointments.
Someone may need to help with meals, bathing, transportation, or bills.
Someone may need to make the hard decisions about driving, living arrangements, safety, and long-term care.

And many times, these responsibilities do not arrive all at once.

They build slowly.

At first, it may be small reminders. Then it becomes missed appointments, unpaid bills, confusion with directions, changes in mood, or difficulty completing familiar tasks.

That is why families need to pay attention early.

Not from a place of fear.

From a place of preparation.

The Changes May Not Always Look Like Memory Loss

One of the reasons Alzheimer’s can be so difficult to understand is because the changes do not always show up the way people expect.

Yes, memory loss is common.

But you may also notice:

Changes in judgment.
Confusion with time or place.
Mood swings.
Suspicion or fear.
Difficulty finding words.
Trouble following a recipe or routine.
Withdrawal from family or hobbies.
Poor sleep.
Agitation later in the day.
Resistance to help.

These changes can be painful to witness, especially when the person you love begins acting in ways that feel unfamiliar.

But this is where families have to pause and remember:

This is not simply stubbornness.
This is not always intentional.
This is not just “old age.”
This may be the disease affecting how the brain processes information, emotions, and surroundings.

That does not make the hard moments easy.

But understanding what may be happening can help you respond with more patience and less frustration.

You Need a Plan Before the Crisis

Too many families wait until there is an emergency before they start making decisions.

A fall happens.
A stove is left on.
A loved one gets lost while driving.
Medication is taken twice.
A bill goes unpaid.
Someone ends up in the hospital.

And suddenly, everyone is trying to make decisions under pressure.

Planning ahead is not being negative.

Planning ahead is love in action.

Start having conversations about:

Who will attend medical appointments.
Who will manage medications.
Who will help with finances and paperwork.
Who has access to emergency contacts.
Who can step in when the main support person needs a break.
What legal documents need to be in place.
What safety changes need to happen in the home.
What signs will tell the family that more help is needed.

These conversations may feel uncomfortable, but they are much harder when everyone is tired, scared, and reacting to a crisis.

Do Not Try to Carry This Alone

Alzheimer’s care can become emotionally heavy.

You may feel grief while your loved one is still physically present.
You may feel guilt for getting frustrated.
You may feel exhausted from repeating the same answers.
You may feel lonely because others do not fully see what you are managing.
You may feel overwhelmed by decisions that seem to keep coming.

You are not weak for needing help.

You are human.

Families need support systems. That support may include doctors, social workers, home care, adult day programs, respite care, trusted relatives, support groups, faith communities, neighbors, or professional planning sessions.

Do not wait until you are completely drained before asking for help.

The person living with Alzheimer’s needs care.

But so do you.

Honor the Person, Not Just the Diagnosis

Alzheimer’s may change how someone communicates, remembers, or moves through the world, but it does not erase who they are.

They are still someone with a story.
Someone with memories, even if they cannot always access them.
Someone with preferences, dignity, emotions, and a need to feel safe.
Someone who still deserves to be spoken to with respect.

Try to keep pieces of who they are present in the day.

Play music they love.
Look through photos together.
Keep familiar routines when possible.
Offer simple choices.
Speak calmly.
Use their name.
Give them time to respond.
Celebrate small moments of connection.

Sometimes the goal is not to correct every detail.

Sometimes the goal is to preserve peace.

Sometimes the goal is to meet them where they are instead of forcing them back to where they used to be.

Remembering Rosalynn Carter’s Legacy

In conversations about Alzheimer’s, I often think about former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and her work around Alzheimer’s awareness and family support.

Rosalynn Carter passed away on November 19, 2023, after her family shared earlier that year that she was living with dementia. But her legacy continues through her decades of advocacy for mental health, family care, and the belief that those providing support deserve to be seen, heard, and equipped.

Her work reminds us that Alzheimer’s is not only a medical issue.

It is a family issue.
A community issue.
A planning issue.
A dignity issue.
A support issue.

And no family should have to navigate it without guidance, compassion, and resources.

Give Yourself Permission to Learn as You Go

Nobody handles Alzheimer’s perfectly.

You may lose patience.
You may say the wrong thing.
You may feel unsure.
You may grieve changes you were not ready for.
You may need to adjust the plan more than once.

That does not mean you are failing.

It means you are walking through something difficult.

Give yourself permission to learn.
Give yourself permission to ask questions.
Give yourself permission to rest.
Give yourself permission to get support before you reach your breaking point.

Alzheimer’s changes many things, but it does not remove the need for love, patience, planning, and community.

The more families understand, the better prepared they can be.

And preparation can make the journey feel less lonely.Want to revisit the first part of this conversation? Read my previous blog: Unraveling Alzheimer’s: A Guide to Understanding the Disease and Its Impact on the Brain, where we discussed what Alzheimer’s disease is, how it affects the brain, and why awareness matters for families and loved ones.

Give Yourself a Moment of Grace

If this season of caregiving has been heavy, emotional, or filled with grief you have not had time to name, Moments of Grace: A Caregiver’s Guided Journal for Reflection, Prayer, and Peace was created with you in mind.

This journal gives caregivers a quiet place to pause, reflect, pray, release, and reconnect with themselves while caring for someone they love.

Purchase Moments of Grace today and give yourself permission to breathe in the middle of the caregiving journey.

Purchase the Journal

Prepare Before the Emergency Comes

Grief can make it hard to think clearly in a crisis. That is why preparation matters.

The Caregiver Hurricane Preparedness Checklist helps caregivers organize important documents, medications, emergency contacts, evacuation needs, medical equipment details, and care instructions before an emergency happens.

For only $1.99, this checklist gives you a simple starting point so you are not trying to gather everything during a storm, power outage, hospitalization, or sudden change in your loved one’s care.

Purchase the Caregiver Hurricane Preparedness Checklist for $1.99 today and take one more step toward peace of mind.

Grab the Checklist!

Need Help Sorting Through the Care Plan?

Roz Jones is a dedicated caretaker turned CEO with over a decade of experience in helping families care for and make decisions for loved ones and their legacies.Roz is a compassionate, innovative healthcare industry leader.

If you are caring for a former spouse, aging loved one, or family member and the boundaries are starting to feel complicated, you do not have to figure it out alone.

Book a Family Care Planning Session with Roz Jones and get support creating a caregiving plan that is clear, compassionate, and realistic.

Together, we can talk through what is working, what is becoming too heavy, and what boundaries need to be strengthened so you can continue to care without losing yourself in the process.

Book a Session!

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Protect the Paperwork Before the Storm

By Roz Jones

When we talk about disaster preparedness, most people think about bottled water, batteries, flashlights, canned goods, medications, and evacuation bags.

And yes, all of that matters.

But caregivers, there is another part of preparedness that often gets overlooked until it is too late: the documents, passwords, records, and digital information that help you care for your aging loved one when life gets disrupted.

Because after a storm, flood, power outage, evacuation, or medical emergency, you may need quick access to information like insurance cards, medication lists, medical records, banking contacts, advance directives, prescriptions, home insurance, or power of attorney documents.

And if all of that is sitting in one folder, on one phone, in one drawer, or on one computer that gets damaged, lost, or locked, that can create a whole new crisis on top of the one you are already managing.

So today, we are talking about how caregivers can back up and safely store important information before disaster strikes.

Why Data Backup Matters for Caregivers

Caregivers carry a lot of invisible responsibility.

You may be the one keeping up with appointment notes, prescription refills, insurance information, doctors’ names, pharmacy contacts, health history, bills, passwords, home care information, and emergency contacts.

That information matters every day, but it becomes even more important during hurricane season or any emergency.

If you have to evacuate quickly, can you access your loved one’s medication list?
If their wallet gets misplaced, do you have copies of their ID and insurance cards?
If the power is out, can you still reach the pharmacy or oxygen provider?
If your phone breaks, does someone else know where the documents are?
If your loved one is hospitalized, can you pull up the paperwork that allows you to help make decisions?

These are the questions caregivers need to answer before the emergency.

Start With a Caregiver Document Checklist

Before choosing a storage system, first decide what needs to be saved.

Start with the documents and information that would be hardest to replace during an emergency.

That may include:

Photo ID
Insurance cards
Medicare or Medicaid cards
Medication list
Medical history
Doctor and pharmacy contacts
Emergency contacts
Advance directives
Power of attorney documents
Living will
Home insurance or rental documents
Banking and financial contact information
Utility account information
Medical equipment provider information
Veteran benefit information, if applicable
Facility or home care agency contacts
Recent care notes or discharge instructions

Keep the list simple enough that you will actually use it.

The goal is not to create a perfect filing system. The goal is to make sure the right information is available when it is needed.

Use the 3-2-1 Backup Rule

Caregivers, one copy is not enough.

If something is important, it should not live in only one place.

A simple backup method many experts recommend is the 3-2-1 backup rule. That means keeping three copies of important files, using two different types of storage, with one copy stored off-site or away from the original location. CISA and other backup guidance use this approach as a way to reduce the risk of losing critical data during disasters, device failures, or cyber incidents.

For caregivers, that might look like this:

One printed copy in a waterproof folder
One digital copy stored securely in the cloud
One backup copy on an external hard drive or secure digital vault

This way, if one copy is damaged, lost, or unavailable, you still have another way to access what you need.

Cloud Storage Can Be Helpful If You Secure It

Cloud storage can be a practical option for caregivers because it lets you access documents from different devices and locations.

Options may include Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive, or another secure document storage system.

This can be helpful when you need to pull up a medication list at the doctor’s office, share a document with a sibling, or access insurance information during an evacuation.

But convenience should not come at the expense of safety.

If you use cloud storage, make sure you:

Use a strong, unique password
Turn on multi-factor authentication
Limit who has access
Organize files clearly
Avoid sharing sensitive documents through unsecured links
Review access permissions regularly
Remove access for anyone who no longer needs it

The FTC recommends using strong passwords and two-factor authentication to help protect online accounts that may contain personal information.

So yes, use the tools. But use them wisely.

Consider a Digital Vault for Sensitive Information

Some caregivers may benefit from using a digital vault.

A digital vault is a secure online place where you can store important documents, passwords, account information, and instructions for trusted people who may need access in the future.

This can be helpful if you are managing documents for an aging loved one and want everything organized in one secure location.

AARP notes that digital vaults can help organize important documents that may otherwise be scattered across physical files, email inboxes, cloud accounts, and online storage platforms.

This can be especially useful for:

Advance directives
Insurance documents
Financial records
Legal paperwork
Account information
Funeral or end-of-life wishes
Medical care instructions
Property documents

If you choose this option, make sure the platform is reputable, secure, and easy enough for your family to understand. The fanciest system is not always the best system. The best system is the one your caregiver team can actually use.

External Hard Drives and USB Drives Still Have a Place

Not everything has to be online.

External hard drives and password-protected USB drives can still be useful backup options, especially if you want a physical copy of important digital files.

But they need to be handled carefully.

If you use an external drive or USB drive:

Password-protect it
Store it in a waterproof container
Keep it in a safe place
Label it clearly without exposing sensitive information
Update it regularly
Do not make it the only backup
Keep one copy outside the home, if possible

USB drives can be lost, damaged, or stolen. External drives can fail. That is why they should be part of the plan, not the whole plan.

Use a Password Manager Instead of a Password List

Caregivers often end up managing passwords for portals, pharmacies, insurance accounts, utility accounts, banking, email, medical apps, and patient platforms.

Writing every password on a loose piece of paper or saving them in a document called “passwords” is risky.

A password manager can help store and organize passwords securely. It can also help create stronger passwords instead of using the same password over and over.

Also, make sure there is a plan for trusted access.

If something happens to you, who can access the information needed to care for your loved one?
If something happens to your loved one, who has legal authority to manage accounts or documents?
If the person with all the passwords is unavailable, what happens next?

These are not always easy conversations, but they are necessary ones.

Protect Medical and Financial Information

Caregivers often handle sensitive information, so privacy matters.

Be careful about where and how you store:

Social Security numbers
Bank account information
Insurance records
Medical records
Legal documents
Passwords
Tax documents
Health portal logins

Do not text sensitive documents casually.
Do not email private information without thinking it through.
Do not share login information with people who do not need access.
Do not leave printed copies sitting out in plain view.

And when you do share information, share only what is necessary.

Caregiving requires coordination, but coordination should still protect your loved one’s dignity and privacy.

Make the Information Easy to Find in an Emergency

A backup system only works if people know how to use it.

Create a simple emergency document guide that says:

Where the printed folder is located
Where the digital copies are stored
Who has access
Who the backup caregiver is
Where passwords or vault access instructions are kept
Which documents are most important in an emergency
Who to call first

Do not make people search through ten folders, three inboxes, and five devices while the power is out.

Keep it simple.
Keep it organized.
Keep it updated.

That is the part that saves time when emotions are high.

Review and Update Everything Regularly

Your backup plan should not be something you create once and forget.

Review it at least twice a year, and definitely before hurricane season if your loved one lives in Florida or another storm-prone area.

Also check that your backup files actually open.

That part matters.

A backup you cannot access is not really a backup.

If you have not read the previous blog, Data Backup and Storage Solutions for Caregiver, start there.

That blog walks through practical ways caregivers can protect an aging loved one’s important information, including cloud storage, external hard drives, password-protected USB drives, online backup services, and backup recovery tools.

Once you have those digital backup systems in place, this blog helps you take the next step: making sure those documents, passwords, emergency contacts, and care records are easy to access when hurricane season, power outages, evacuations, or medical emergencies happen.

Need help turning this into a real plan?

Photo by Connor Scott McManus on Pexels.com

Reading about hurricane preparations is a good first step. But caregivers also need something they can print, fill out, and keep close when the pressure is on. Roz is creating a printable Caregiver Hurricane Preparedness Checklist to help families prepare with more clarity and less last-minute panic.

This front-and-back checklist will include space for emergency contacts, medical information, supply reminders, care bag items, and recovery steps. Want first access when it is ready? Complete the interest form below.

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Florida Hurricane Resources Every Caregiver Should Know

By Roz Jones

Preparing for hurricane season can feel overwhelming, especially when you are caring for an aging loved one. There are supplies to gather, medications to track, documents to protect, phone numbers to update, and decisions to make before the storm is anywhere near the forecast.

And caregivers, I want you to hear me clearly: you do not have to figure it all out at the last minute.

The goal is not to panic.
The goal is to prepare.

When you know where to turn for information, support, alerts, and local resources, you give yourself and your loved one a stronger foundation before hurricane season gets active.

Because preparation is not just what you pack.
Preparation is also knowing who to call, where to go, what to ask, and how to keep your loved one included in the plan.

Florida Hurricane Season Is the Time to Prepare Early

Florida hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, but caregivers should not wait until a storm is already forming to get ready.

If your aging loved one lives in Florida, now is the time to review their emergency plan, update contact information, check medication refills, confirm transportation options, and learn what resources are available in their county.

This is especially important because not every older adult can simply “grab a bag and go.”

Some need help getting out of the home.
Some rely on oxygen or other medical equipment.
Some need refrigerated medication.
Some have mobility challenges.
Some may become confused, anxious, or overwhelmed when routines change.

That is why hurricane preparedness for caregivers must be personal. It has to match your loved one’s real life, not just a general checklist.

Start With FloridaDisaster.org

If you are caring for an aging loved one in Florida, FloridaDisaster.org should be one of your first stops.

This site provides statewide emergency preparedness information, planning tools, county emergency management contacts, evacuation guidance, and resources for people with access and functional needs.

Use this resource to:

Find your loved one’s local county emergency management office
Review hurricane preparedness guidance
Check evacuation and shelter information
Learn about planning for special needs
Create or update a family emergency plan

This is especially helpful if your loved one lives alone or if you are caregiving from another city or state. You need to know which county office to contact and what local support may be available before there is an active storm.

Know the Florida Special Needs Registry

This one is important.

If your aging loved one has medical needs, mobility challenges, relies on electricity for medical equipment, or may need help during evacuation or sheltering, look into the Florida Special Needs Registry.

This registry helps connect individuals with special needs to their local emergency management agency so emergency planners have information that may help them prepare and respond during a disaster.

But caregiver, please understand this clearly: registration does not mean every detail is automatically handled.

After registering, follow up with the local county emergency management office. Ask what happens next. Ask what your loved one should bring. Ask whether transportation assistance is available. Ask whether a caregiver can come with them. Ask what kind of medical support the shelter can and cannot provide.

That follow-up matters.

Do not just register and assume everything is finished. Make the call. Get the details. Write them down.

Contact the Local County Emergency Management Office

Florida is one state, but hurricane preparation is local.

What happens in one county may not look the same in another. Evacuation zones, shelter openings, transportation support, alert systems, and local updates are often handled at the county level.

Your loved one’s county emergency management office can help you understand:

Evacuation zones
Shelter locations
Special needs shelter registration
Transportation assistance
Local emergency alerts
Pet-friendly shelter options
Road closure updates
County-specific hurricane guidance

This is the information you want before the storm is approaching, not when everyone else is trying to get through on the phone.

Caregiving requires details. During hurricane season, those details can make all the difference.

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

A caregiver should not have to depend on social media rumors or last-minute family messages to know what is happening.

Sign up for local emergency alerts in the county where your loved one lives. Many Florida counties offer phone, text, or email alerts for weather warnings, evacuation orders, shelter openings, boil water notices, road closures, and other urgent updates.

Also make sure your aging loved one has more than one way to receive information.

That may include:

A charged cell phone
A written list of emergency contacts
A battery-powered radio
A weather radio
A trusted neighbor
A family communication chain
Local news access

And remember, if your loved one has hearing, vision, memory, or mobility challenges, the alert system needs to match their actual ability to receive and respond to information.

An alert only helps if they can hear it, read it, understand it, or have someone nearby who can help them act on it.

Use Ready.gov for the Basics

Ready.gov is a helpful resource for general disaster preparedness, including emergency kits, communication plans, and family readiness.

This can be a good starting point if you are building your hurricane plan from scratch.

But caregiver, do not stop at the general checklist.

Use the basic emergency kit as your foundation, then personalize it for your loved one’s care needs.

Ask yourself:

Do they need medication at a certain time?
Do they need supplies for incontinence care?
Do they have dietary restrictions?
Do they need glasses, hearing aids, dentures, or mobility equipment?
Do they use medical equipment that requires electricity?
Do they become confused or anxious when routines change?
Do they need documents that allow someone else to speak on their behalf?

A basic checklist is helpful. A personalized checklist is safer.

The American Red Cross Can Help With Emergency Readiness

The American Red Cross offers disaster preparedness information, shelter guidance, first aid resources, and support during and after disasters.

For caregivers, the Red Cross can be especially helpful when thinking through emergency supplies, basic first aid, sheltering, family communication, and preparedness for older adults.

The Red Cross also reminds families to consider assistive devices, prescriptions, medical equipment, and support networks when preparing older adults for emergencies.

That support network piece is important.

Caregiver, you should not be the only person who knows the plan.

Someone else should know where the documents are.
Someone else should know the medication list.
Someone else should know who to call.
Someone else should know where your loved one would go if evacuation is needed.

Check With the Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health works with county health departments and local emergency management agencies around emergency preparedness, including special needs shelter planning.

If your loved one may need a special needs shelter, contact the county early to ask about registration, eligibility, transportation, caregiver access, and what supplies your loved one needs to bring.

Ask questions like:

Does my loved one qualify for a special needs shelter?
How do we register?
What happens after registration?
Can a caregiver stay with them?
Are pets allowed?
What medical support is provided?
What medical support is not provided?
What should we bring?
How will we be notified if evacuation is recommended?

Special needs shelters are a resource, but they are not a full replacement for a care plan.

So ask the questions now, while there is still time to prepare.

Do Not Forget the Florida Department of Elder Affairs

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs is another helpful resource for older adults, caregivers, and families preparing for hurricane season.

Through elder-focused programs and local aging resources, caregivers may be able to find information about disaster planning, transportation, local support, and services for older adults.

If you are not sure where to begin, look into your local Area Agency on Aging or Florida’s Elder Helpline. These resources can help connect caregivers and older adults with local support before and after a disaster.

This can be especially helpful if your loved one lives alone, has limited family nearby, or needs help navigating services.

Review Nursing Home or Assisted Living Plans

If your aging loved one lives in an assisted living facility, nursing home, independent senior community, or another residential care setting, do not assume the facility has everything handled.

Ask for the emergency plan.

Ask:

Will the facility evacuate or shelter in place?
Where will residents be taken if evacuation is needed?
How will families be notified?
How are medications transported?
What happens if the power goes out?
Is there generator support?
How are residents with dementia supported?
Who should families contact during and after the storm?
How often will updates be provided?

When you are caregiving, questions are part of the job.

Build Your Own Caregiver Resource List

Once you gather resources, put them all in one place.

Create a printed and digital list with:

County emergency management office
Local emergency alert sign-up
Special Needs Registry information
Nearest hospital
Primary doctor
Pharmacy
Home health agency
Oxygen or medical equipment provider
Insurance contact
Utility company
Transportation contact
Trusted neighbors
Family contacts
Facility contact, if applicable

Keep one copy with you.
Keep one copy with your loved one.
Share one copy with a trusted backup caregiver.

And please make sure the print is large enough for your loved one to read.

If you have not read the first blog, Resources for Disaster Preparedness and Planning, start there.

That blog shares helpful emergency preparedness resources, including Ready.gov, FEMA, the American Red Cross, CDC, Elder Care Locator, AARP, state and local emergency management agencies, emergency alert systems, and community emergency response teams.

Once you have reviewed those general disaster preparedness resources, use this Florida-focused hurricane guide to take the next step: confirming local support, checking evacuation information, signing up for alerts, and making sure your aging loved one is prepared before hurricane season becomes active.

Need help turning this into a real plan?

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Hurricane Season Is Coming: Is Your Care Plan Ready?

By Roz Jones

If you’ve been with me for a while, you know I believe in staying ready so you don’t have to get ready. In Part I of this series, we talked about the basics; water, food, medications, documents, and all the essentials your aging loved one needs to stay safe when disaster strikes. If you missed that first blog or would like a refresher, you can read it here.

Now, as Florida prepares for hurricane season, it is time to take that checklist a step further. Because hurricane preparation is not just about stocking up on supplies.

It is about knowing your evacuation zone.
It is about having a plan if the power goes out.
It is about making sure medications, mobility needs, oxygen, medical equipment, transportation, and communication are handled before the storm is at your door.

And caregivers, let me say this clearly: preparation is not panic.

Preparation is peace.
Preparation is protection.
Preparation is love with a plan.

Hurricane Season Requires a Different Kind of Readiness

Florida’s hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, and preparation needs to begin before there is a named storm in the forecast. For caregivers of aging loved ones, this planning has to be even more intentional.

Your loved one may not be able to move quickly. They may depend on refrigerated medication, oxygen, a walker, a wheelchair, a CPAP machine, hearing aids, or daily support. They may also experience confusion, fear, or anxiety when their routine is disrupted.

That means your hurricane plan cannot be general.

It has to be personal.

It has to be built around your loved one’s health, home, body, mobility, and care needs.

Start With “Know Your Zone, Know Your Home”

Before you even pack the emergency bag, find out whether your loved one lives in an evacuation zone.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management reminds residents to “Know Your Zone” and “Know Your Home,” because evacuation decisions depend on where the home is located and how well it can withstand wind, rain, flooding, and storm surge.

If your aging loved one lives in Florida, make sure you know:

What evacuation zone they are in
Whether they live in a flood-prone area
Whether their home can handle strong winds and heavy rain
Where the closest shelter is
Whether they qualify for a special needs shelter
How they would evacuate if you could not get there in time

This is not the kind of information you want to search for when everyone else is already on the road.

Do it now.

Write it down.
Share it with family.
Keep a copy in their emergency folder.

Build the Hurricane Kit Around Their Daily Life

A basic hurricane kit should include water, shelf-stable food, flashlights, batteries, phone chargers, hygiene items, a first aid kit, cash, important documents, and supplies for several days.

But when you are caring for an aging loved one, you need to think beyond the basics.

Ask yourself: What does my loved one use every single day?

Then build the kit from there.

Include:

A current medication list
At least several days of essential medications, when possible
Doctor and pharmacy information
Medical insurance cards
Copies of ID
Hearing aid batteries
Extra eyeglasses
Denture supplies
Incontinence products
Mobility aids
A backup phone charger
A battery-powered radio
Blankets or lightweight bedding
Shelf-stable foods that match their dietary needs
Water for drinking and hygiene
Comfort items, such as a family photo, sweater, blanket, or small familiar object

If your loved one uses medical equipment that depends on electricity, this becomes even more important. You need a plan for backup power, charging, relocation, or evacuation.

Do not assume the power will come back quickly.
Do not assume the pharmacy will reopen the next day.
Do not assume roads will be easy to navigate after a storm.

Hope is good. A plan is better.

Make a Medication and Medical Equipment Plan

This is one of the most important parts of hurricane preparation for caregivers.

If your loved one takes daily medication, keep an updated list that includes:

Medication name
Dosage
Time of day it is taken
Prescribing doctor
Pharmacy contact information
Refill dates
Allergies
Medical conditions

If medication needs refrigeration, ask the doctor or pharmacist what to do during a power outage. If your loved one uses oxygen, dialysis, a CPAP machine, an electric wheelchair, or any other power-dependent medical equipment, call the provider before hurricane season gets active.

Ask questions like:

How long does the backup battery last?
What should we do if the power is out for more than 24 hours?
Can equipment be transported safely?
Is there a backup supplier?
Should the utility company be notified?
Does my loved one need to register for a special needs shelter?

In Florida, special needs shelters may be available for residents who need extra medical support during emergencies, but they usually require advance registration through the county or local emergency management office.

Caregivers, please do not wait until a storm is already forming to figure this out.

Have an Evacuation Plan Before the Order Comes

One of the hardest parts of hurricane season is deciding whether to stay or go.

For caregivers, that decision may involve mobility equipment, medications, pets, oxygen, transportation, dementia-related needs, or the physical ability to safely move your loved one.

That is why the evacuation plan needs to be made early.

Decide:

Who will pick up your loved one
Where they will go
What route they will take
What supplies need to go with them
Who has access to the house
Who has copies of important documents
What happens if the primary caregiver cannot get there
Whether pets are included in the plan
What shelter or family home is safest

And let me be direct: if local officials issue an evacuation order, take it seriously.

Storm surge, flooding, high winds, and blocked roads can create dangerous conditions quickly. A plan made ahead of time can help you move with clarity instead of fear.

Do Not Leave Communication to Chance

During a hurricane, cell service may be unreliable. Phones may die. Internet may go down. Family members may be scattered across different areas.

That is why every caregiver needs a communication plan.

Write down:

Primary emergency contact
Backup emergency contact
Doctor’s phone number
Pharmacy phone number
Home health agency contact
Nearest hospital
Neighbors who can check in
Family members who should receive updates
County emergency management contact information

Make sure your aging loved one has these numbers written in large, readable print. Do not rely only on a cell phone contact list.

Also, make sure at least two trusted people know the plan.

Not just you.

Because caregiver, you are important too. If something happens and you cannot get there right away, someone else needs to know what to do.

Protect the Documents Before the Storm

Hurricanes do not just damage homes. They can scatter paperwork, destroy records, and make it harder to access care or financial support after the storm.

Keep copies of important documents in a waterproof folder or bag.

Include:

Photo ID
Insurance cards
Medicare or Medicaid cards
Medication list
Medical history
Doctor information
Advance directives
Power of attorney documents
Emergency contacts
Home insurance or rental documents
Banking and financial contact information
Veteran benefit information, if applicable

If your loved one has advance directives, make sure the right people know where they are.

And if your family has not had those conversations yet, hurricane season is one more reason to stop putting them off.

Hard conversations are still easier before the crisis.

Plan for the Emotional Side Too

We talk a lot about water, batteries, and evacuation routes.

But caregivers also need to prepare for the emotional side of hurricane season.

Storms can be frightening for aging loved ones, especially if they have experienced past trauma, memory loss, anxiety, or confusion. Loud winds, power outages, changes in routine, and leaving home suddenly can be overwhelming.

So think about comfort, not just safety.

Have familiar items nearby.
Keep routines as steady as possible.
Explain the plan calmly and simply.
Use written reminders if your loved one gets confused.
Keep favorite snacks, music, photos, or blankets close.
Limit constant news exposure if it increases their anxiety.

Sometimes the most loving thing you can say is:

“We have a plan. You are not alone. We are going to take this one step at a time.”

Revisit the Plan Throughout the Season

Hurricane preparation is not something you do once and forget.

Check the kit.
Update the medications.
Refresh the water.
Replace expired food.
Charge backup batteries.
Review evacuation routes.
Update phone numbers.
Make sure documents are still current.

And if your loved one has had a recent hospital stay, new diagnosis, fall, surgery, medication change, or mobility change, update the hurricane plan right away.

The plan should match the person they are today, not who they were last year.

If you have not read the first blog, Creating a Disaster Preparedness Checklist for You and Your Aging Loved One, start there. That blog walks through the basic items every caregiver should consider when preparing for an emergency.

Read the previous blog here.

Once you have that foundation, come back to this blog and build your hurricane-season plan around your loved one’s specific care needs.

When You Can’t Do it All Give Roz a Call!

Book a Session!

Need help turning this into a real plan?

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When Grandparents Become the Plan

By Roz Jones

Sometimes grandparents expect to be the steady presence in a child’s life.

And sometimes, without much warning, they become the primary caregivers.

That shift can happen because of a family crisis, illness, financial instability, mental health concerns, substance use, incarceration, military deployment, death, or simply because the children need a safer and more stable place to land. However it happens, when grandparents step in to raise grandchildren, they are often carrying far more than people can see. National kinship care resources note that grandparents and other relatives frequently become the first safe option for children when parents cannot care for them, often with little time to prepare.

And when that happens, the conversation cannot stop at “they stepped up.”

We also need to ask:
Who is supporting them now?

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Need More Than Praise

A lot of grandparents raising grandchildren get called strong, selfless, and loving.

And yes, many of them are all of those things.

But praise is not the same as support.

Many grandfamilies are navigating school enrollment, legal paperwork, health appointments, financial strain, transportation needs, behavior changes, grief, and the physical demands of parenting at a later stage in life. Federal and national kinship-care resources continue to emphasize that kinship caregivers often need help with both child-related and adult-related supports, including access to benefits, legal guidance, and service coordination.

So if you are someone caring for an aging loved one who is now raising grandchildren, or if you are a caregiver trying to support a grandparent in this role, this is important to understand: love may be what brought them into the role, but love alone is not enough to sustain it.

The Hidden Weight of Kinship Care

Grandparents who step into parenting again are often managing two caregiving realities at once.

They may be caring for grandchildren while also dealing with their own aging, chronic health conditions, fatigue, or financial concerns. And caregivers supporting them may find themselves trying to meet the needs of both generations at the same time.

That kind of layered care can wear people down.

The CDC reported in 2024 that caregivers, compared with noncaregivers, experienced worse outcomes on many health indicators, including mental health measures and several chronic physical conditions.

That does not mean grandparents raising grandchildren are not capable. It means they should not be expected to do this without real support.

Practical Support Still Matters

When a grandparent is raising grandchildren, practical help can make a bigger difference than people realize.

That may look like helping with grocery runs, rides to school, after-school pickup, household tasks, meal support, or help organizing medical and school paperwork. Sometimes what keeps a household stable is not one big intervention. It is consistent, everyday support that lowers the pressure just enough for a grandparent to breathe.

For caregivers supporting grandfamilies, this is one of the most useful questions to ask:

What would make this week easier?

Not next year.
Not in theory.
This week.

Because when families are overwhelmed, practical support is often what keeps things from slipping further.

Emotional Support Cannot Be an Afterthought

Grandparents raising grandchildren may feel joy, purpose, and deep love.

They may also feel grief, anger, sadness, resentment, guilt, fear, or exhaustion.

All of that can be true at the same time.

Some are grieving what their grandchildren have already been through. Some are grieving the reality that this is not the season of life they expected. Some feel isolated because their peers are traveling, retiring, or slowing down, while they are packing lunches, dealing with schools, and starting over.

Caregivers supporting them need to make room for the full emotional picture, not just the inspiring parts.

Listening without judgment matters. So does noticing when a grandparent looks burned out, shut down, depressed, or overwhelmed. Caregiving research continues to show that caregivers often experience elevated emotional strain, and grandparents raising grandchildren can face parenting stress on top of their own health and life transitions.

Support Has to Include Resources

One of the biggest mistakes families make is assuming grandparents will “figure it out.”

Some do, but often at great cost.

Grandparents raising grandchildren may need help understanding legal custody, school enrollment, insurance coverage, financial assistance, counseling options, food access, or respite support. National grandfamily resources point to kinship navigator programs as an important tool because they connect relative caregivers to benefits, services, referrals, and follow-up support for both the children and the adults caring for them.

Financial help matters too. Grandfamilies.org notes that child-only TANF grants remain a key source of support for many kinship families, but the program is still underused relative to the number of families who may qualify.

In other words, support should not stop at encouragement.
It should include helping grandparents get connected to what may already exist.

The Relationship Between Grandparent and Grandchild Still Needs Care

When grandparents become full-time caregivers, the relationship can shift fast.

Love is still there, but the role changes. A grandparent may suddenly be the rule-maker, homework checker, appointment scheduler, disciplinarian, and emotional safe place all at once. That can be hard on both sides.

Children may be carrying trauma, confusion, anger, loyalty conflicts, or grief. Grandparents may be trying to provide stability while also adjusting to the emotional weight of what brought the children into their care in the first place.

That is why support has to include the relationship itself.

Encouraging moments of connection, not just management, matters. Quality time matters. Predictability matters. Patience matters. So does helping grandparents understand that behavior is often carrying a story beneath it.

Self-Care Has to Be Reframed

Telling grandparents to “practice self-care” is not enough if no one is helping make that possible.

Rest does not happen because someone deserves it.
It happens because support is in place.

If a grandparent cannot get a break, cannot leave the house easily, is worried about money, and is carrying the emotional load of the entire household, generic self-care advice can feel disconnected from reality.

For caregivers supporting them, self-care may need to look more concrete:

Can you give them two hours to themselves?
Can you cover one evening a week?
Can you help them get connected to respite, counseling, or community support?
Can you reduce one pressure point they keep carrying alone?

That is often what real support looks like.

This Is a Family System Issue

When grandparents are raising grandchildren, the impact usually stretches across the whole family system.

There may be tension with the children’s parents. There may be legal uncertainty. There may be sibling disagreements, financial stress, or questions about who is responsible for what. And when those things go unnamed, the grandparent often ends up absorbing the strain.

That is why families need honest conversations about roles, responsibilities, expectations, and support. Not everything should fall on the grandparent just because they were willing to step in first.

Stepping in should not mean being left alone.If this topic is close to home, I encourage you to also read my previous blog, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: How the Caregiver Can Support

Schedule a Family Care Planning Session

If your family needs support talking through next steps, book a Family Care Planning Session with Roz Jones to walk through your concerns, questions, and planning needs with more clarity and care.

Book a Session!

Purchase the Caregiving & Advance Health Directives Checklist!

Roz Jones Enterprises Caregiving & Advance Health Directives Checklist.

If you want a practical tool to help guide the conversation and make these decisions feel less overwhelming, purchase the Caregiving & Advance Health Directives Checklist at the link below.

Purchase the Checklist

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