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What does my Parkie do when I go to the ER at 2am. This topic caught my attention because I have been in a similar situation....... But I am the Parkie not the CG. This is what happened a year ago. My husband went to the ER at 3am, but not for heart or stroke. His entire digestive stystem went on strike and his GERD had turned into a medical emergency. The worst case — surgery! Now I manage quite well when the meds are working but I have been assessed by occupational therapists who think I should not be alone because when I am ‘off'‘ I can't walk or get up from the bed without help. There is no family nearby --mine is 1500 miles to the west, his is 2000 to the east. Fortunately I was ‘on' and he could walk so together we set out pills, water, juice, crackers, phone, address book, & TV Remote — and my duvet --- beside the chair I can get up from. He went off in a taxi and I settled down to nap under the duvet. The reason I was so calm was that the next morning a caregiver was due to arrive and I knew that I could manage for 5 or 6 hours. It might be miserable but I could do it. Every thing worked out well. I kept in contact with the hospital, surgery was not needed, the CG got me washed, dressed and fed, and we went in a taxi to pick up my husband. You could call it "All's well that ends well" What we learned from this. Make a Plan Be Prepared Be organized Don't be surprised Get the Parkie accustomed to a caregiver More than one caregiver should know the parkie routine Have backup caregivers and backups for them Do we follow our own advice? Of course not! Anne Rutherford <[log in to unmask]> NEW EMAIL ADDRESS