Family Emergency Planning Clinic

Life is unpredictable—be ready before a crisis hits. This free, interactive workshop will guide you through creating a personalized Family Emergency Plan to help you manage caregiving, work, and unexpected life events with confidence.

✅ Identify key concerns and potential emergencies
✅ Develop a practical, step-by-step plan tailored to your needs
✅ Learn effective communication strategies to keep your family and support network informed
✅ Discover how to update and adapt your plan as life changes
✅ Receive a Family Emergency Plan booklet with tools like the Worry Wheel & Plan Wheel

This event is open to all, whether you're a caregiver, a professional, or simply looking to improve your emergency preparedness.

📅 Date: April, March 24, 2025
⏰ Time: 1:00–2:30 PM
📍 Location: Flatirons Room, Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302
💰 Cost: Free (optional online donations welcome)

Example

Sarah feared the moment her mother, Linda, might have another stroke while she wasn’t home. As a full-time employee, she constantly felt the weight of uncertainty. The thought of her mother needing help while she was stuck in a meeting or on the other side of town made her anxious.

One evening, after another restless night worrying, Sarah sat down with a notebook and the Worry Wheel. She mapped out her fears—what if no one was around when her mother needed help? What if she couldn’t be reached? What if paramedics didn’t know her mother’s medical history? Identifying these concerns made them feel more manageable, so she turned to the Plan Wheel to create solutions.

Sarah arranged for her neighbor, Ellen, to check in on Linda every morning and be her emergency contact. She taped an emergency contact sheet to the refrigerator, listing her mother’s medical conditions, medications, and her own cell phone number. She reached out to the hospital to confirm that Linda’s records were up to date and made sure her mother always wore her emergency alert pendant. To test her plan, she and Ellen ran a practice drill, timing how quickly Ellen could respond and how fast Sarah would receive an update. It wasn’t perfect at first, but after tweaking a few things—like adding a backup contact in case Ellen wasn’t home—Sarah finally felt prepared.

The call came on a Tuesday afternoon. Linda had collapsed in the kitchen. But instead of the panic she once feared, Sarah felt a strange sense of calm. Ellen had already called 911, and within minutes, paramedics arrived. The hospital had all the necessary information, and Sarah got a text confirming her mother was en route to the ER. By the time she arrived, Linda was receiving care. The crisis was real, but this time, it wasn’t chaos. The plan had worked.

Info: Host: Andrew Koch, LPC – Contemplative Caregiver
Overview of the importance of emergency planning for families and caregivers.
Introduction to the Worry Wheel—identify key concerns about emergencies and crises.

Info: Learn the Plan Wheel method to create a personalized emergency response plan.
Work through the Family Emergency Plan booklet to structure your plan.
Interactive discussion on real-life scenarios and problem-solving.

Info:

How to effectively share your emergency plan with loved ones, healthcare teams, and support networks.
Strategies to update and adjust your plan as life changes.

Info: Open discussion and Q&A session.
Attendees receive resources for further planning and support.
Wrap-up and closing remarks.

Host or Publisher Contemplative Caregiver