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Emergencies

What to do and steps to take before they happen:

  • Call 911 if the situation threatens life or safety.
    Don’t take any chances. If the situation is out of control, call 911.
  • Columbia River Mental Health Crisis Response: 360-696-9560 . Call 24-hours a day for help in any kind of crisis that doesn’t require a 911 response.
  • Alzheimer’s HelpLine: 1-800-733-0402. If something happens that you don’t know how to deal with and if your loved one has dementia, you may call this number 24-hours-a-day.
  • In the event of a death at home, call 911 OR if the person was receiving hospice care, call hospice.

Some things to consider before there’s an emergency:

  • First, be prepared for an emergency.
  • Make a plan, and know how to get help.
  • Have a back-up plan in case your first plan doesn’t work.

Helpful Hints:

  • If your family member is sometimes at home alone, a personal emergency response system (such as Lifeline) can be installed. Pushing a button that’s on a necklace or wristband calls for help at any time, day or night.
  • Keep phone numbers of neighbors with you, so you can call someone who will check on your loved one when you’re away. Give a trusted neighbor a key to the house in case your loved one cannot get to the door.
  • Safe Return is a program that identifies and returns to safety people who are mentally disabled and have wandered away. It’s a program of the Alzheimer’s Association, and includes a bracelet or necklace with a toll free number that can be called when someone finds the lost person. For more information, call 1-800-848-7097.
  • If your relative does not want to be placed on life support, documents must be signed before a health emergency happens. Talk with your family member about this, and ask the health care provider about a living will.

Please call the Senior Information & Assistance office closest to you for more information.

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