There are all sorts of disasters seniors can experience with little or no notice, including natural and human-caused versions. The main component that all disasters have in common is that they’re typically unexpected. Planning for the possibility of a disaster can help family caregivers and seniors feel more secure. Home care providers can help families to put together an effective disaster plan.
Why Plan for Disasters?
Can you really plan for a disaster? The answer is of course, especially for seniors. Aging adults are often very vulnerable, particularly if they have chronic health issues. Having a disaster plan allows seniors to have what they need if they need to evacuate their home. Elder care providers can offer tips about the types of disasters to plan for and how to do so properly.
Identify Possible Disasters
The first step is to identify the possible issues seniors might face. Every geographical area has different potential issues, like floods, hurricanes, wildfires, or frequent power outages. Customizing plans to account for those different types of disasters helps families stay prepared. Other types of disasters could include health issues, so talking to medical providers can help family caregivers prepare for those, as well. If a health disaster is possible, include that information in as detailed a manner as possible for anyone who might be there to help aging adults.
Maintain a Contact List
Contact lists ensure that whether seniors need a number or home care providers have to contact someone, they can. Larger families might want to put together a phone tree to contact people when necessary. Include medical provider information, family members, and other important contact information in the list. Make a note to update that list every few months, just to ensure that it remains as accurate as possible.
Put Together Emergency Kits
Emergency kits with a change of clothes, non-perishable food, flashlights, and medications are really helpful to have available. Copies of medical records are also a good idea. If seniors need medical equipment, like oxygen, it helps to have information about backup solutions and equipment, like portable oxygen tanks to replace oxygen concentrators that run on electricity.
Plan for Evacuation
Having a plan for evacuation is essential. Seniors need to know where to go if they do have to leave their homes. A complete plan might include information about common shelters that open in the area or directions to a family member’s home that seniors can evacuate to. The idea is that hopefully seniors won’t have to evacuate at all, but if they do, they need to know what the plan is.
No one wants to have to deal with an emergency situation, of course. But having a plan in place is helpful not just for seniors and family caregivers, but also home care providers who might be there to help seniors during a disaster of some sort. Make the plan available and easy to access so that everyone who needs the information can find it when they need it the most.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Union, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Adult Alternative Home Care today. (888) 664-1769
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