What’s your response to a crisis? Scream and yell? Hide and cry? Freeze? Go into “fix it” mode? Everyone responds differently. But remember, a crisis is inevitably a springboard to action. As great as the action is, there is an even greater opportunity that emanates from the aftermath of a crisis.

A disaster comes from a specific event – something done or not done. Regardless of which one, there is certainly a silver lining: The calm after the crisis has passed.

Most of you may be too depleted from the crisis to act. But I’m here to suggest: never waste a perfect crisis! It’s your prevention opportunity. Think about it. There is responding to the crisis, and then there is taking the next step and investigating the root cause. Stamping it out. Go back to the start. What can you put in place so it doesn’t happen again?

In healthcare, we deal with this all the time. Take congestive heart failure or fluid overload. Your family member lands in the hospital, short of breath. They have fluid in their lungs that make breathing difficult or impossible. Supportive care is rendered and fluid is removed. They may go home with medication changes but will certainly leave with instructions to do things differently: limit salt, be compliant with medications, weigh daily to monitor fluid build-up.

What was the reason for your family member’s crisis? Did they run out of medication and have trouble getting a refill? Did they think waiting for your “errand day” was soon enough to pick up depleted prescriptions? Are they eating foods full of hidden salt? Can they read the scale they have and property follow a weight log?

Aging is abundant with disasters. If you learn from each one, you can decrease the frequency. It’s in your hands to make a difference. Begin putting together the aging plan for your loved one. The Blueprint to Age Your Way will walk you through all the pieces necessary to get it right.

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