The Storm Within: Protecting Loved Ones With Dementia During Florence

For older adults with dementia, natural disasters can be particularly terrifying. No matter whether they evacuate or stay put, storms can bring added confusion, disorientation, anxiety, and paranoia. "People with dementia function best when they are in their usual environment and their usual routine," said Ruth Drew, director of information and support services at the Alzheimer's Association, which has posted guidelines for families dealing with disasters. "When there's a lot of chaos and hubbub, when people are rushing around and tense, that can be very overstimulating and anxiety-provoking." When people with dementia "feel anxious, rushed, and hurried, often they shut down. They have a harder time cooperating with a person," Drew said. They respond to that anxiety in various ways — crying, arguing, fighting, wandering or walking away. Kaiser Health News tells some of the stories that came out of the Carolinas during Hurricane Florence.