ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Caregivers and family members looking after loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s are also preparing to hunker down for the storm.

Experts advise stocking up on food and medications, checking whether medical devices that rely on electricity have battery backups, and having a plan in place to keep loved ones safe and engaged.

“Be patient and have a plan,” Leslie Holland, the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter senior director of marketing and communications, said.

This is life-saving advice for those caring for people with dementia this coming winter storm.

“Something that you can’t control, it can make things even more difficult for caregivers,” said Holland, who lost her father to young-onset Alzheimer’s at 68 years old.

During inclement weather, people living with dementia can be thrown off their routine, especially when they’re stuck indoors. Using distraction techniques can help keep loved ones occupied while reducing agitation and boredom.

“So whether that’s, ‘Hey, let’s listen to some music and dance around the room,’ or watching a favorite TV show, you can play it up,” Holland said. “If you stream, you can put it on a loop. You can also talk about what life was like when they were young, do a puzzle, or play a game.

“There’s no right or wrong answer for caregivers. It’s about whatever works best for you.”

“When people have dementia, depending on where they are on the journey, it can significantly affect their executive function,” said Nancy Treaster, co-founder of The Caregivers Journey, a Georgia-based nonprofit that supports caregivers and families of loved ones with dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia has recently partnered with the Georgia-based nonprofit.

Treaster said she lost her husband, father, and father-in-law to different forms of dementia and served as their caregiver.

She said people with the disease can wander, especially during stressful situations.

“Be prepared that emergency services might not be able to get to you,” Treaster said. “If you’re used to having extra care, like caregivers coming into your home, they may not be able to get there. You may also want to make sure you have someone else in the home, just to be prepared in case your caregivers can’t get to work.”

Using AirTags on loved ones, installing cameras in the home and registering them with local police can also help.

Treaster also suggests bringing loved ones with dementia to your home — or to a trusted friend or neighbor’s home — if you don’t live in the same city.

She says it’s important to make sure they have extra support during what can be a stressful time.

Experts advise that if your loved one lives in an assisted living community, families should provide a second point of contact in case services are disrupted. They also encourage patience with facility staff and ask families to avoid calling for non-emergency issues, as staff may be focused on caring for residents.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.

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