Peace of Mind Through Preparedness

When dementia progresses, the journey can become complex. Families often need to rely on a wide range of professionals—healthcare specialists, legal advisors, in-home support workers, palliative care teams, and spiritual carers.

In times of crisis, delay, or change, having immediate access to trusted contacts can make all the difference. That’s why creating a contact directory for professional support services is one of the most practical—and compassionate—steps you can take in advance care planning.

With tools like Evaheld, you can store this contact directory securely in the Evaheld Legacy Vault, giving carers and family members access when they need it most.

Why a Professional Contact Directory Matters

According to Advance Care Planning Australia, coordinated care works best when clear communication is established between professionals and families.

But too often:

• Contacts are scattered across notebooks, phones, or drawers
• Key people are left out of the loop during emergencies
• Loved ones don't know who to call first or why
• Delays lead to poor outcomes, miscommunication, or added distress

A central, up-to-date directory saves time and heartache—especially when decisions must be made quickly.

Who to Include in the Directory

Every person’s directory will look different depending on their care journey. Consider including:

1. Medical and Health Professionals

• GP and regular specialists (neurologist, geriatrician, psychologist)
• Allied health (physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist)
• Dementia care nurse or aged care coordinator
• Dementia Support Australia contact for behavioural support

2. Advance Care and Legacy Support

• Enduring Guardian or medical decision-maker
• Advance care planning consultant
• Evaheld account contact and administrator
• Palliative care team contact (if applicable)

3. Legal and Financial Professionals

• Solicitor or public trustee
• Financial planner or accountant
• Provider of Advance Health Directive assistance
• Funeral or estate planning adviser

Resources like the Online Will Blog offer helpful prompts on legal contacts to include in broader care and legacy planning.

4. Support Services and Emergency Contacts

• Local aged care agency
• Home care provider
• Pharmacy and after-hours medical services
• NDIS or My Aged Care case manager
• Emergency services or crisis support (including mobile numbers)

How to Structure the Directory

Use a simple template that includes:

• Full name and title
• Organisation
• Phone numbers (office and mobile if possible)
• Email address
• Reason for contact or role
• Urgency level (e.g. emergency, routine, periodic)

Upload this information to your Evaheld Legacy Vault where it can be accessed 24/7 by those with permission.

Templates from Family Legacy Series are useful for capturing these details in both physical and digital formats.

Tips for Keeping the Directory Current

• Review every 6 months or after any major health change
• Remove outdated providers to avoid confusion
• Add notes after each visit or interaction
• Include scanned copies of business cards or emails
• Make sure your Advance Health Directive is linked to relevant professionals

As discussed in the Evaheld blog, real-time updates are essential in ensuring smooth transitions during hospital admissions, new diagnoses, or end-of-life decisions.

Supporting the Sandwich Generation

For those caring for both elderly parents and young children, a centralised directory:

• Reduces the burden of remembering details
• Allows delegation to siblings or carers
• Offers clarity during urgent situations
• Protects continuity of care when circumstances shift

Using Evaheld, this directory can be integrated with other important legacy documents, making it easy to maintain from anywhere.

Including Spiritual and Cultural Care Providers

Don’t forget those who support the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the individual:

• Clergy or faith-based carers
• Cultural elders or community leaders
• Grief counsellors
• Music or art therapists

These roles are not just supportive—they are essential. Nurse Info emphasises the importance of holistic care that honours culture, identity, and dignity throughout the dementia journey.

Printing or Sharing the Directory

Consider:

• Printing a hard copy for the home, hospital bag, or aged care folder
• Creating a small laminated card with top contacts
• Giving copies to trusted family members or appointed guardians
• Uploading the file to Evaheld for password-protected access

You can also include the directory in your estate plan, as advised by the Online Will Blog.

Final Thoughts

In dementia care, preparation brings peace. A contact directory is more than a list—it’s a lifeline for carers, a map for complex decisions, and a gesture of love for the future.

By creating and maintaining your professional support directory now, you ensure that no matter what arises, care continues with clarity, dignity, and compassion.