Emergency and Contingency Planning

Backup coverage

Once you have found your loved one’s carer or eldercare team, we recommend looking into backup care, ensuring there is no gap in coverage due to a scheduled staff holiday or unexpected sick day. 

If your loved one already has two or more caregivers supporting them, you have built-in potential for backup when one carer is unavailable. However, even with a full roster of qualified caregivers, there may be occasions when temporary emergency cover is needed. If possible, a family member or an established carer should be present to introduce the emergency caregiver to your loved one and brief them on your loved one’s needs and how the household runs. The emergency caregiver may be able to shadow an established carer for a short period, so that they can then step seamlessly into the role.

Even if this handover isn’t possible, a caregiver handbook should be provided, detailing how the home runs, your loved one’s routines and preferences, essential contact information, and the emergency protocols covered in the following section. An experienced, professional caregiver will be able to use this guide to transition smoothly into the home and care of your loved one.

Whatever your situation, BAHS can help guide you through the process of finding the perfect team of carers for your family.

Emergency protocols

Emergencies can be stressful for everyone involved. Having a clear, step-by-step plan for staff to follow means that they can be dealt with smoothly and calmly, and your loved one gets the care they need, when they need it most.

It is advisable to have clear plans in place for the most common eldercare emergencies, including:

• Trips and falls
• Head injury
• CPR and resuscitation
• Cardiac event
• Choking and breathing difficulties
• Wandering off-site
• Episode of heightened client confusion or stress
• Adverse reactions to medicine
• Power outages affecting medical equipment
• Severe weather events that may prevent a caregiver from reaching the home

Emergency plans should include a list of who the eldercare staff should contact and in what order, including emergency services, the wider medical team, and family members. It is also important to be specific about when and in what circumstances staff are authorized to contact your elderly loved one’s medical care team without prior family approval.

A written emergency plan, kept somewhere visible in the home, such as on the fridge or by the front door, ensures that any carer, including backup staff who may be less familiar with the household, can act quickly and confidently. 

 Medical information should regularly be reviewed and updated to reflect any changes to your elderly loved one’s mobility, health, and medical protocols – all of which may change over time and after an emergency event.

 Following an emergency event

After an emergency event, a clear channel of communication ensures staff get the information they need, reducing speculation and ensuring the situation is managed with discretion. Reviewing and updating the emergency plan after any incident, however minor, helps capture lessons learned and keeps the household prepared for next time.

Staff may also need additional support to ensure their own well-being. We recommend providing a list of providers such as counseling services and making it clear whether the family will cover the costs of this support.

Skilled and well-prepared eldercare staff will be able to manage any medical emergency with professionalism, discretion, and warmth, while making sure the home is running smoothly while your loved one is away.

Hospital coordination

Clear lines of communication between the in-home eldercare team, hospital, and family ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the care of your elderly loved one and can work as a team to support continuity of care as your loved one moves from home to hospital care, and back again.

The role of the eldercare team may change while your elderly loved one is in the care of a hospital. During this time, they can provide comfort and companionship by continuing to care for your loved one’s non-medical needs, such as visiting them for a chat, reading to them, watching TV shows with them,  bringing in their favorite pajamas and even, if the hospital allows, staying overnight to provide support and reassurance.

Before your loved one is discharged from hospital, the home and staff should be prepared for their return. Any necessary changes or additions will need to be made to the home – such as mobility aids or new devices like blood pressure monitors – and staff trained on how to use them. The hospital care staff should provide detailed handover information to the in-home care team, including changes to medication or needs. And, finally, the elderly care team is there to ensure your loved one receives a warm welcome home.

When my dad was hospitalized for four weeks, the caregiving team continued doing their regular shifts in the hospital. It created continuity for everyone, but especially for him. Hospitals can be very scary and disorienting for older adults, and having his team around him gave him such a sense of comfort and security. The caregivers were amazing, especially those working overnights. They would sit beside him in the big chair when he couldn’t sleep, just being there with him and bringing him comfort through the night. He always knew they were there, and I was there too. Having his ‘team’ around him at all times gave him such a sense of comfort. — Anita Rogers, Founder & CEO, BAHS

Planning for changes to your loved one’s changing needs

While no one can predict every eventuality, it can be helpful to plan for potential changes in your elderly loved one’s condition. Over time, their care needs may increase due to reduced mobility, cognitive changes, or progressive illness. The care team can keep you up to date with your loved one’s developing needs so that, where possible, you can pre-empt necessary changes to the home, care plan, or staffing.

Staying one step ahead means you can act quickly when your loved one’s needs change.

Replacing caregivers

Not all relationships work out. There may be times when caregivers need to be replaced at short notice. Having a team of carers ensures your loved one receives unbroken care while you reach out to a reputable agency such as BAHS, who can help you find a better match for your family.