Creating a disaster preparedness plan for seniors is an important part of being ready for an emergency.
Tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and various other natural disasters develop quickly, and although it’s crucial for all of us to have an emergency plan set up, it’s extremely important for older adults, who may be challenged with mobility or chronic health issues. Since September is National Preparedness Month, it’s the perfect opportunity to make sure the older adults you care about are equipped with disaster preparedness plans and ready for a possible emergency. Taking these three steps is an excellent starting place to create disaster plans for seniors.
- Put together an emergency plan. This should consist of assigning a primary person (or multiple people) who will be responsible for checking up on the individual during an emergency, and who will then relay that information to the senior’s family and friends. Create a list of contact information for each person who should be advised, and then make sure everyone has a copy of the list. The plan also needs to lay out an evacuation process, and who will assist the senior with evacuating the premises if needed.
- Put together a disaster supply kit. The CDC suggests the following items be stored together in an easily-accessible place to be utilized in case of an emergency:
- Water, nonperishable food items (incorporating pet food if applicable), and medications to last for no less than 3 days
- Flashlight and additional batteries
- First aid kit
- Manual can opener
- Hand-crank or battery-powered radio
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Change of clothing
- Wet wipes, paper towels, and hand sanitizer
- Duplicates of important records in a waterproof container (see below)
- Fire extinguisher
- Collect important documents. In an emergency, the very last thing you’ll want to do is scramble to track down necessary paperwork. Place copies of the following documentation in a waterproof box or bag:
- Details with regards to medical needs and history, medications taken, healthcare providers, etc. (the CDC has furnished this easy template)
- Insurance cards and photo ID
- Will, living will, power of attorney, etc.
- List of any food and/or medication allergies
- Contact details for loved ones and friends who should always be alerted during an emergency
Working with an experienced, premier home care agency like Live Free Home Health Care, is an excellent way to ensure older adults will be well taken care of in case of a natural disaster or some other emergency. We’re prepared and proactive, with a plan in place for providing the care needed for seniors every day of the year, rain or shine, keeping family members up to date of any and all concerns at all times.
Contact our Franklin senior home care team for further tips and resources, and to arrange for a no cost consultation within the comfort of home to understand more about how we can help the seniors you cherish remain healthy, secure, and thriving. You can call us any time at 603-217-0149 if you need help creating disaster plans for seniors. Click here to view our full service area.