Be prepared for severe weather and hurricane season in South Carolina!

Do you have a plan ready in the event of weather-related emergencies? Events like hurricanes can cause confusion, stress and anxiety for those living with Alzheimer's and other dementia.

As a caregiver, it is important to have a disaster preparedness plan before the storm hits. The Alzheimer's Association is here to help. 

Call us 24/7: 800.272.3900

The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline is available day or night, no matter the weather. Call us to today for help making a plan for emergencies.

SC hurricance info
Check out the South Carolina Hurricane Guide and latest updates from the SC Emergency Management Division.
 

Plan ahead

Prepare an Emergency Kit.
In a waterproof container or bag, pack:

• Copies of important documents, such as legal papers, a list of medications and dosages, and insurance information
• Several sets of extra clothing
• Extra medication
• Incontinence products
• A recent picture of the person with dementia
• Bottled water
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Favorite items or foods
• Extra batteries for hearing aids, extra eyeglasses, etc
• Mobile phone chargers and/or battery back-ups

Make a plan and discuss it with family.
If you will be evacuating, alert others — such as family, friends and medical personnel — that you are changing locations and give them your contact information. Update them regularly as you move.
 
Tune in to stay up-to-date.
News media will often be your first and best source of information on evacuations, shelter openings, and other important information. During an evacuation, pay attention to emergency alerts via radio, wireless text message and road signs for information about the nearest open shelter in case you need it.
 
Evacuating and finding shelter
If you plan to evacuate, leave as early as possible to minimize long delays in traffic. Alert others — such as family, friends and medical personnel — that you are changing locations and give them your contact information. Update them regularly as you move.

For a person living with dementia, changes in routine, traveling and new environments may increase the risk for wandering and agitation. Stay alert for unexpected reactions that may result from these changes. Before heading to a public shelter, first consider staying with family and friends or in a hotel out of the evacuated area.

When appropriate, share the person’s diagnosis with others, such as hotel or shelter staff, family members and airline attendants, so they can better assist.

Try to stay together or with a group; it only takes a moment to get lost. Do not leave the person living with dementia alone. Do your best to remain calm, as this may help reduce anxiety or confusion.

Get more caregiver tips for planning for emergencies.
 

Additional Resources

• SC Emergency Management Division offers an app for on-the-go tools and resources, including a planning checklist and weather-related closures. Get the SC Hurricane Guide, plus view evacuation routes, shelters, and current road conditions.

• The American Red Cross website offers information about preparing for an emergency and where to find shelter and supplies in a disaster. If you've been impacted by a disaster, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) - 24 hours a day. Local chapters include:
  • Central SC Chapter (Columbia) - 1-803-540-1200
  • Lowcountry SC Chapter (N. Charleston)  - 1-843-764-2323
  • Eastern SC Chapter (Myrtle Beach) - 1-843-477-0020
  • Upstate SC Chapter (Greenville) - 1-864-271-8222

• Ready.gov has information about what to do before, during and after a disaster.

• The National Hurricane Center provides hurricane alerts and tips to prepare for a hurricane.

• The Humane Society of the United States offers tips on how to keep pets safe in natural disasters and everyday emergencies.