It is a challenge for Senior Citizens to move around on an average day, let alone during a disaster. However, with a little preparedness, and help from Caregivers, seniors can survive any disaster. Some disasters are unique to the climate of a specific area, and some are universal. Examples of disasters to prepare for are as follows:
Fires
Tornadoes and thunderstorms
Floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes
Toxic Spills
Snowstorms
Extreme heat waves (90+degrees)
Caregivers can help seniors prepare for the disasters that are likely to occur where they live. There are many steps to take when setting up an emergency preparedness plan. One step is to stay notified and informed. The national weather service is a great for caregivers and senior to use. Also, caregivers and seniors can tune into a local TV or radio station.
Caregivers can also cooperate with the door to door registry that alerts people of
danger. For instance, a person could come to a seniors' house and warn of a pending flood. The caregiver can take action to help remove that person out of the home and to a safe environment. This environment should be far enough from the source of the disaster to offer safety.
Examples of places to go during a disaster are as follows:
A friend's relative's or children's house
Designated private or public emergency shelter
Homeless shelter
Hotel
Senior citizen retirement home
Any place that offers public emergency shelter
A caregiver can also help a senior citizen prepare a disaster survival kit. This kit can be stored in a bag, suitcase, box, or safe.
The kit should include the following items:
Food, water, medicine, and personal grooming items
Extra address and emergency contact book
Extra change of clothes, shoes, and winter gear
Blanket and
pillow
Money and safe for valuable items
Important legal documents
Social Security Card, Drivers License Number,
Extra copy of a credit or debit card
Battery operated radio, and extra batteries
Calling card, or extra cell phone
Emergency medical supplies such as wheelchairs, canes, and walkers.
First aid kit, and list of medications, and required doses
The list of items needed is not an exhaustive list. Caregivers should assist the senior in making sure that person everything necessary for survival in that emergency kit. Furthermore, a caregiver should know how to use all the equipment, including medical equipment, in the event of a disaster.
Also if it is a chemical emergency that affects the senior's home, the caregiver can help the senior do the following:
Close all windows, fans, heating, and cooling systems
Close the fireplace damper
Tape
around doors, window ledges, vent, and any other air passage ways.
Encourage them to stay inside the home, and not to leave until it is safe to evacuate
When evacuating for any emergency, the caregiver will be most helpful using this procedure:
Know where the senior member has planned to stay in an emergency
Make sure that a transportation method is planned
During evacuation, take the main roads. The back roads may be dangerous, and one could easily get lost.
Make sure the senior's home is locked.
Help dress them in protective clothes, and sturdy shoes.
Notify friends, family, and children that the senior adult will be evacuating, and tell them where the senior will be staying.
If the caregiver has time, then the following can also be done before leaving the senior's home:
Shut off all water and electricity supplies
Inform others of where the senior being cared for is
staying
Find safe places for any pets the senior might have. Not all public shelters allow pets other than working animals.
One other thing a caregiver can do to is to continually stay informed. New information is posted daily about how to better handle emergencies where seniors are involved. Also, if it is a new caregiver, that person should learn about the community that the senior lives in. Then, in the event of a disaster, the person would know where to take the senior
These tips and information from local emergency personnel will most likely help seniors survive even the worst disaster.
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Home Health Care - Things You Need to Do in Anticipation of an Emergency
It is important to always be prepared for an emergency. The most common types of home emergencies are medical emergencies, fires, gas leaks, and burglaries. It is best to have specific instructions on how to deal with each on of these, however, some basic
instructions can apply to all home emergencies. Please refer to the following list for steps you will need to prepare yourself and your family better:
Remember to remain calm. An anxious person will have a hard time reacting in time of a crisis. Better judgment calls are made when a person can stay calm. If you need to learn how to react during a crisis, you might consider taking some stress reduction classes. Also, just remember a few stress reduction tips that can help, first, if you begin to feel anxious, take a few deep, slow breaths. Also, act as quickly as possible, but be sure to think though your actions before making any decisions. Every second in an emergency counts and so does every decision you make. Again, remaining as calm as possible can help you make the right choices.
Post emergency contacts. Be sure to have fire, police, and rescue phone numbers posted in as many rooms of the house as possible. Placing these numbers within easy access to the
phone will only benefit you. Also, be sure to have access to as many phones as possible. If you have a hard time getting around, it is best having a cell phone or paging system attached to your body. Many cell phone makers offer fitted carrying cases that clip on to your belt or waistband.
Own a First Aid kit. Be sure to have a first aid kit with bandages, gauze, safety pins, antiseptics for cleaning wounds, and small linen cotton towels for making slings. Also make sure you have instructions on how to administer different types of first aid
Learn How to administer basic first aid. You can learn how to take care of minor injuries. Take classes that will teach you how to administer first aid properly. Also, be sure to practice what you learned in the classes. This will help you be more efficient in an emergency that requires first aid and will help speed up the emergency care process.
Learn CPR. You can save someone's life while waiting for the
ambulance to arrive. You can have this capability if you learn how to perform CPR on someone who is not breathing. You can also help jumpstart someone's blood circulation before the paramedics arrive. Please check your local listings to find out more about CPR. This procedure is often taught in schools, non-profit emergency shelters, and at most people's employers. However you learn CPR, there is a change of saving someone's life. You can eve take classes to get certified in it, and take refresher courses year after year.
Have emergency exits planned. In case of a fire or a burglary, it is wise to plan an escape route. Furthermore, periodically conduct emergency drills with the people in your household. In addition, plan a place, such as the front yard, or a public building for you to all meet when you exit your home. This will save time and you will have a better chance of protecting yourself and each family member.
Have an emergency supply kit. In case of a
fire, have an emergency supply kit stored in a fireproof container. You should include an extra set of clothes, money, and extra set of car keys, medications, and personal items, and important legal papers within. Also include any items you need for your infants or pets. You can ask a friend or relative to safely store this for you, in case you need it.
Know where you would go, if you need to evacuate. In case of a natural disaster or a fire, you may need to stay in another shelter temporarily. Be sure to plan ahead of time a safe place to go. Have those phone numbers handy in your emergency supply kit. Also, be sure to update this list from time to time, in case the phone number or emergency shelter changes.
This list is not an exhaustive list of how to prepare you in an emergency. However, it is a good start. You never know when you will need this information, so keep it nearby. For further information on household emergency preparation, contact local emergency personnel.
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