Planning for the Future and Emergencies

Planning for the Future

Planning for the future as a carer is important in case of emergencies or if you are no longer able to look after your cared for.

Being prepared for the future can provide peace of mind for both the carer and the person they support and ensures that the relevant people have the necessary information to step into your caring role.

To help with future planning you could request an Adult Carers Support Plan for you and an ‘Assessment of Needs’ for the cared for. This makes professionals aware of your caring role if there was an emergency or you were unable to continue caring for the cared for.

You could also talk with family or close friends and let them know a role they could play to help you if there was an emergency. Share your future plan with professionals and other support networks so that they are aware of what to do if an emergency occurred.

Some issues you may want to consider when thinking about a short-term emergency plan or a long-term future plan include:

• Who needs to be involved in the planning/discussions and making decisions?
• Where will the cared for live?
• Who would you like to offer support, care and friendship to your cared for?
• Are there any legal, financial or practical arrangements that would need to be put in place i.e. guardianship, power of attorney?
• What support or services would be needed for the cared for in a change of circumstances?
• Would you require an up to date ACSP?
• Who will ensure the cared for’s healthcare needs and rights are protected?
• Who would you like to share this plan with and where will you keep it?

These are just some ideas that you may want to think about in the long-term or in case of an emergency. You do not have to make this plan yourself. Call PKAVS Carers Services for advice or ask a support service you are already in contact with for their help in making these decisions.

You may find the documents below useful for more information and advice.

Emergency Carers Card

Emergency Planning is important when someone depends on you, so that if anything happens to you they will get the support they need.  

This card could give you the peace of mind and reassurance that the person who depends on you will be safe, if something unexpected happens to you. 

The Herbert Protocol

The Herbert Protocol is a nationally recognised scheme supported and endorsed by Police Scotland, Alzheimer Scotland, Scottish Government and Health & Social Care Scotland. Named after George Herbert, a war veteran of the Normandy landings, who lived with dementia. George Herbert died whilst ‘missing’, trying to find his childhood home. The initiative was first developed by Norfolk Police in 2011 and it has been implemented by many areas in UK since. It was launched across Scotland on 21 September 2021.

The Herbert Protocol helps police officers quickly obtain information about a vulnerable missing person who has dementia, saving vital time in the early stages of an investigation. Carers or family members can download the Herbert Protocol form here or from the Police Scotland website. The form is completed in advance and generally kept in the person’s home or with relatives. It holds personal details, a description, a recent photograph, languages spoken, as well as previous addresses, places of employment and other significant locations in someone’s life. This can include their old school, a church, or a favourite walking route, plus their medical history and information about past incidents of going missing.

The Herbert Protocol form can be used together with Alzheimer Scotland Purple Alert, a free app designed to help finding missing people with dementia. If someone is missing, users will get notified via the app and can help with local searches.

Click here to find out more and download the app: