Elderly Emergency Preparedness by Jeff Davis
Elderly and those with disabilities face special issues when preparing for an emergency
There are public and quasi-public organizations devoted to disaster and emergency preparedness those with special needs.
They offer advice on public policies for the special needs community, and foster understanding to the community at large by supporting them and offering resources.
Local commissions work to train and help emergency management experts on issues relating to disaster preparedness for special needs citizens.
Basic Preparedness Tips
* If you have physical limitations, build a personal support network of people who will check on you following an emergency.
*Try to maintain a three-day supply of your prescription medication. If you use oxygen, keep an emergency supply to last at least three days.
*Talk with your medical supply company about a backup power source if you use medical equipment requiring electrical power.
*If you use battery-powered or electronic mobility equipment, keep a manual wheelchair, canes, crutches and walkers as backups for use in an emergency.
*If you have a personal health aide, he or she may not be able to help you after a disaster. Talk with your aide now about whether his or her agency has a plan for providing client services in an emergency.
*Keep a whistle handy in case you need to signal for help.
Disaster Preparedness Booklet
The American Red Cross has produced a comprehensive guide to disaster preparedness for people with special needs, including the elderly. You can view this booklet at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/disability.pdf
You should also make sure to prepare with "Shelter In Place" emergency supplies and food in the case there is no help for you during or after a disaster:
* Anemergency supply of food
* Extra clean water and Water purification supplies
* An emergency supply for Lighting in the case of a power outage
* A Communication device such as a dynamo powered radio
* A First Aid Kit
In some cases you may need to evacuate the area. This is why it is important you keep a 72-Hour-Kit in case you have to "Grab-N-Go."
These are just a few items to consider, but probably the most important thing is that the more you are able to be self-reliant, the more you are likely to thrive during an emergency situation.
Freeze-Dried-Food
Article Source: ArticleSnatch Free Article Directory
Elderly and those with disabilities face special issues when preparing for an emergency
There are public and quasi-public organizations devoted to disaster and emergency preparedness those with special needs.
They offer advice on public policies for the special needs community, and foster understanding to the community at large by supporting them and offering resources.
Local commissions work to train and help emergency management experts on issues relating to disaster preparedness for special needs citizens.
Basic Preparedness Tips
* If you have physical limitations, build a personal support network of people who will check on you following an emergency.
*Try to maintain a three-day supply of your prescription medication. If you use oxygen, keep an emergency supply to last at least three days.
*Talk with your medical supply company about a backup power source if you use medical equipment requiring electrical power.
*If you use battery-powered or electronic mobility equipment, keep a manual wheelchair, canes, crutches and walkers as backups for use in an emergency.
*If you have a personal health aide, he or she may not be able to help you after a disaster. Talk with your aide now about whether his or her agency has a plan for providing client services in an emergency.
*Keep a whistle handy in case you need to signal for help.
Disaster Preparedness Booklet
The American Red Cross has produced a comprehensive guide to disaster preparedness for people with special needs, including the elderly. You can view this booklet at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/disability.pdf
You should also make sure to prepare with "Shelter In Place" emergency supplies and food in the case there is no help for you during or after a disaster:
* Anemergency supply of food
* Extra clean water and Water purification supplies
* An emergency supply for Lighting in the case of a power outage
* A Communication device such as a dynamo powered radio
* A First Aid Kit
In some cases you may need to evacuate the area. This is why it is important you keep a 72-Hour-Kit in case you have to "Grab-N-Go."
These are just a few items to consider, but probably the most important thing is that the more you are able to be self-reliant, the more you are likely to thrive during an emergency situation.
Freeze-Dried-Food
Article Source: ArticleSnatch Free Article Directory