Florida winters are wonderful but can still pack a punch. Sudden drops in temperature and exposure to the elements can bring on unexpected health hazards. Falls and the flu are just two of the culprits to watch out for as our mornings become frostier. As a family caregiver, have you thought about what will happen if you can’t take care of everything by yourself?

What happens if YOU get sick?

Or if you have to go out of town?

Or if some other unplanned event keeps you from tending to your loved one?

Now is the time to put your “back-up plan” in place.

Identify who you can call on in an emergency and who you can count on to fill in for you if you are out of commission due to illness, accident, travel, or other hurdles life throws your way. Family members, friends and neighbors are a wonderful resource and will always do their best to help in a pinch. But they are not always equipped with the time or skill necessary to address all your loved one’s needs. Having a trusted home health care agency to call on can give you and your loved one tremendous peace of mind.

Don’t wait. Schedule a free home assessment BEFORE you need care and save precious time by developing a comprehensive care plan that will work when you need it most.

Try out services in advance. Allow your loved one to depend on a caregiver other than yourself once in a while. It will help them establish a sense of security and independence in your absence. Then, when you need a caregiver to fill in for you, your loved one will feel more at ease and you’ll feel confident that everything will be taken care of just the way you like.

Remember, your loved one wants the best for you too. They want to know you are taking care of yourself when you need to and having a “back-up” caregiver in the wings makes that possible. Trying to find someone to help care for your loved one when you are already sick, incapacitated or in crisis yourself is just not the best time for either one of you. Planning ahead will make those situations so much easier — and allow you BOTH to get the care you deserve.