Emergency planning and help

An emergency care plan has all the information about the person you care for in one place. This makes it easy for someone to take over from you quickly if needed.

An emergency care plan contains all the important details someone else would need to step in and care for your loved one, including:

• their personal information (name, address, age, condition, health)
• emergency contacts (family and friends, guardians, power of attorney, health professionals)
• their medical history
• a list of medicines and how and when to give them
• their care needs (such as what they usually eat and drink and their personal care routines)
• a list of support services they regularly use
• any upcoming appointment dates, times and locations
• anything else someone taking over for you in a hurry would need to know.

Once you’ve filled in the plan, save it to your phone or computer. You should also print out some copies of the plan and:

• keep one somewhere safe and easy to see in your home
• take one along when you go out or travel with the person you care for
• give one to each of your emergency contacts
• give a copy to your doctor, and anyone else who may need to know what to do.

This is a card you carry in your wallet to let people know you care for someone. It has the contact details of people who have your emergency care plan (and anyone else who can help the person you care for). If something happens to you, the right people can be contacted straight away and start using your emergency care plan. The person you care for can carry a card, too.

These simple steps can make a big difference – for your peace of mind and the wellbeing of the person you support.

Download a blank emergency care plan and cards below and fill it in.