Natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes create special challenges for older adults, their caregivers, and their families. Older adults need to have the same basic disaster supply kit as everyone else. Basic supply lists are available from a number of sources, but the list available at the American Red Cross website serves as the model (http://www.redcross.org/).The elderly may have special needs that go beyond the basic supplies list. The following tips were recommended by the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for people with disabilities and can apply to many older adults.
|
|
Disaster Planning Tips
|
Special Tips for Older Adults
|
|
Water
|
·
1 gallon
per person per day
·
Store at
least 3–5 days’ worth. A two-week supply is ideal.
·
Use for
drinking and sanitation.
·
Store
extra water if you have pets.
·
Water
from swimming pools and spas can be used only for flushing
toilets.
|
·
Dehydration
is a serious health problem for older adults. If possible, store more than
the recommended amount.
·
Gallon
jugs of water are heavy. Use containers that are small enough to easily
handle, such as clean and sanitized two-liter plastic soda bottles, if you
choose not to purchase commercial water storage containers.
·
Be
certain that the caps are easy to remove by persons with arthritis.
|
|
Food
|
Store at least a 3–5 day supply of
non-perishable foods with selections from all food groups. Examples include:
·
Grains -
breads, dry cereals, crackers, biscuits
·
Vegetables
- canned (your favorites)
·
Fruits -
canned (in juice) and dried
·
Milk -
canned and boxed shelf-stable; consider small sizes
·
Meat and
Beans - jerky, canned beans, canned tuna and chicken, shelf-stable chicken,
nuts and seeds, peanut and nut butters
|
·
Consider
special dietary needs, such as low-sodium, high-fiber, or other special
foods.
·
Store
small cans of food that can be eaten at one meal or snack.
·
Have a
manual can opener that is easy to use.
|
|
First Aid Kits:
1 for home
1 for car
|
To assemble your own first aid
kit, include the following:
·
Adhesive
bandages, various sizes
·
Sterile
dressings
·
Conforming
roller gauze bandages
·
Triangular
bandages
·
Sterile
gauze pads, various sizes
·
Cotton
balls
·
Cohesive
bandage roll
·
Germicidal
hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer
·
Antiseptic
wipes
·
Medical
grade non-latex gloves
·
Adhesive
tape
·
Antibacterial
ointment
·
Cold
pack
·
Thermometer
·
Scissors
(small, personal)
·
Tweezers
·
Assorted
sizes of safety pins
·
CPR
breathing barrier, such as a face shield
·
Sunscreen
·
Flashlight
and extra batteries
·
Whistle
to signal for help
|
·
Buy a
prepared kit and add anything different that you might need.
·
If using
a kit you have, restock used or expired supplies.
|
|
Contacts:
Who to notify in an emergency
|
·
All
doctors' names, phone numbers, addresses, and what they treat you for (e.g.,
cardiologist)
·
Phone
numbers of a few in- and out-of-town relatives or close friends
·
Keep all
these lists in a waterproof plastic bag or container.
|
|
|
Important
papers
|
·
Identification
cards
·
Insurance
cards
·
Birth/death/marriage
certificates
·
Social
security card
·
Bank
account and credit card information
·
Keep all
documents in waterproof plastic bags or containers.
|
Also include:
·
Medicare
and/or Medicaid cards
·
Living
will and medical power of attorney
·
Veteran's
papers
|
|
Electronics
|
·
Battery-powered
radio and/or television
·
Cell
phone and chargers for the house and car
·
Extra
batteries for each electronic device
|
·
Battery-powered
wheelchair
·
Learn
how to connect and start backup power supply for wheelchair or other
necessary medical equipment.
·
Have a
manual wheelchair for backup.
|
|
Time
passers
|
·
Board
games, puzzles, playing cards
·
Books
·
Paper
and pens for letters and notes; envelopes and stamps
·
Sewing,
crocheting, knitting supplies
|
·
Paperback
books weigh less than hardcover books.
·
E-book
readers store hundreds of books (but do need charging).
|
|
Medical
needs
|
·
Lists of
prescription medications and dosage
·
Doctors'
and pharmacy phone numbers and addresses
·
Extra
glasses
·
Pain
relievers
·
Stomach
medicine
·
Poison-response
drugs
·
Supplements
·
Check
expiration dates and replace as needed.
|
·
Extra
hearing aid batteries
·
Medical
alert tag or bracelet
·
Wheelchair
batteries
·
List of
serial numbers and styles of medical devices (e.g., pacemakers)
·
Photocopies
of all prescription drugs with dosage, directions, interactions, refill dates
·
Consult
with your doctor about which non-prescription drugs and supplements are safe
for you.
·
Minimum
2-week supply of all essential medications
|
|
People with special needs
|
Persons with Diabetes
·
Keep
travel packs of insulin in the refrigerator.
·
Testing
supplies (enough for at least 2 weeks)
·
Extra
batteries for your meter
·
Insulin-delivery
supplies
·
Insulin
·
Lancets
and lancing device
·
Oral
medications
·
Quick-acting
source of glucose
·
Extra
glucagon emergency kit
·
Medical
waste container for used needles
·
Keep
insulin as cool as possible; if on ice, be careful not to freeze.
·
If
necessary, insulin may be stored at room temperature (59°F–86°F) for 28 days.
·
Do not
use insulin that clumps or sticks to the side of the bottle.
|
Persons with Alzheimer's
·
Register
with local police and fire departments.
·
ID
bracelet or necklace indicating special or peculiar behaviors (e.g., memory
loss)
·
Written
instructions for reaching family members, friends, and physicians
Bedbound Persons
·
Emergency
transportation plan
·
Supplies
of daily care items - bed pads, adult diapers, linens (enough for at least 2
weeks)
·
Dietary
needs
Oxygen-Dependent
·
Oxygen
supplies (including alternate power source such as a battery)
·
Extra
water for oxygen condensers
Persons with Incontinence
·
Incontinence
undergarments
·
Disposable
wipes
·
Cleansing
products
|
|
Emotional support/Stress reduction
|
·
Special
photos
·
Spiritual
support
·
A
special memento
·
Comfort
food
·
Addresses
and phone numbers of friends
|
·
Keep a
journal about your experience.
·
Form an
informal "support group" to share concerns and information.
·
Write
letters to your grandchildren or other family and friends.
|
|
Pets
|
·
Extra
food in plastic containers
·
Carrier
·
ID tags
(2 sets, one on the animal and one extra) with name and your contact
information
·
Proof of
ownership (e.g., registration papers and pictures)
·
Medications
and pet first aid supplies
·
Medical
and vaccination records
·
Veterinarian's
phone number and address
|
|
|
Evacuation
|
·
Have
backpacks handy to put supplies, clothing, and bedding in if you must
evacuate or move to a shelter.
·
Plan in
advance for someone to care for your pet if pets are not welcome at the
shelter.
|
·
Prearrange
transportation with neighbors.
·
Identify
local shelters that accommodate older adults and persons with disabilities.
|
List posted from the following link:
No comments:
Post a Comment