A few months ago my husband had scheduled back surgery.
I thought I had everything covered: daytime help for Mom (who has dementia) and I’d be home every evening to take over.
Then the anesthesia hit him hard—blood pressure crash, hallucinations, and at 2 a.m. that first night a terrified phone call from him: “People are breaking into the house!”
I couldn’t leave Mom alone to go back to the hospital, not even for a minute. I was stuck until morning and he was alone. By then it was clear I couldn’t come home at night until he was discharged.
Four days of pure scramble to find 24-hour coverage.
One simple emergency backup plan would have turned that panic into three calm phone calls.
We plan for everything—groceries, deadlines, even (thanks, 2020) extra toilet paper—but as caregivers we often forget to plan for the day WE are the ones who can’t show up.
Without a plan we’re at the mercy of the moment.
With one, we can handle anything with steady courage.
It’s not fun to think about the “what-ifs,” but creating a backup plan is one of the kindest gifts you can give yourself, your loved one, and everyone you might ever ask to step in.
Start With “What If?”
Grab people you trust most and brainstorm:
• What’s the plan if ______ happens?
• Who could we actually call?
Common scenarios to plan for:
• Illness (yours or a family member’s)
• Hospitalization or unexpected complications
• Help cancels last-minute
• Travel delays or weather emergencies
• Work crises or plain old burnout
Quick reality check: Be lovingly honest about who is truly able (and willing) to help. Wishing doesn’t make it so.
Document Everything Before You Need It
Grab the free Caregiver’s Go-Bag Guide here (yes, email required – we’ll send it instantly, never sell your info, unsubscribe anytime).[LINK Download the free Caregiver’s Go-Bag Guide right now]
It walks you through creating simple, life-saving tools in under an hour:
- Crisis-Proof Care Sheet – key contacts, medical info, meds & allergies
- Go-Bag Essentials Checklist – what to pack for you and your loved one
- Crisis Conversation Flow – how to speak clearly when you’re shaking
- Quick-Start Sequence (BONUS) – step-by-step to stabilize any moment
Print it, fill it out, and keep a bright binder on the kitchen counter with:
- Daily routines, meals, triggers, calming tricks
- Instructions for locating your own medical directives and important passwords (yes, plan for YOU too)
Keep It Flexible
Life changes. Review and update every six months or whenever needs shift. Talk to an Elder Law Attorney or Financial Planner when things get complex.
Plan → Prepare → Breathe Easier
You may never use your backup plan.
But having one means the next “what if” doesn’t have to steal your peace.
[Insert photo of open binder + packed Go-Bag on kitchen counter]
Ready for real peace of mind?
[LINK Download the free Caregiver’s Go-Bag Guide right now] — because the next surprise won’t send a warning.
You’ve got this.
And now you’ll be ready for anything.