subject: Hurricane Tips And Strategies For The Elderly [print this page] Hurricane Tips and Instructions for the Elderly or Disabled
By Jane Seger
Innovative Nurses and Sitters
Houston, Texas
Have you thought about the steps youll need to take to prepare your loved one for hurricane season?
Here are some strategies and tips to guide you.
There are three options to consider when making plans for the elderly or disabled person in your life during hurricane season. Relocation: You can relocate them to a safer place; Evacuation: you can prepare for an emergency evacuation if it becomes necessary, and/or Shelter in Place: you can help your loved one stay in their home as safely as possible. Whatever you decide, review your plans in advance with your loved one. Make sure they know you are going to take care of them and solicit feedback. This helps them mentally and emotionally prepare for what may be a difficult transition.
Strategies for Relocation:
Determine with whom your loved one will stay. Select family or friends that are unlikely to be evacuated from their homes. Obtain their commitment to be housed with them.
Make arrangements for transportation to the home or place they will be staying. Be sure that the transporter can accommodate special equipment and supplies that need to be taken with your loved one, and that he or she will transport well in advance of evacuation warnings.
Have the special provisions in the home your loved one will be staying such as one months supply of medications and prescribing instructions, extra copies of prescriptions, identification and all pertinent medical information including physician names, suppliers for medical equipment, insurance policy numbers, and the name and number of your home health agency. For an excellent, state of the art, Free Medicine List go to www.innovativenursing.com and click, Get the Free Stuff.
Accommodate precious possessions as possible.
Have two weeks of the following supplies, and be sure to label everything:
Food, particularly for a special diet
Special medical equipment (label)
Medical supplies: adult diapers, gloves, wipes, over-the-counter meds
Oxygen for portable units (label)
Hearing aid batteries, batteries for wheelchair or a manual wheelchair
Water: 1 gallon per person per each day you plan to stay; gallon for each pet
Changes of clothing
Cash
First aid kit
Batteries, batteries and more batteries
Strategies for Emergency Evacuation:
All of the recommendations for Relocation plus
Many larger urban areas have emergency management offices that will allow you to register as a person with special needs. This puts you on the priority list for evacuation.
Not all shelters accommodate those with special needs. Find out where they are in your area.
Pets are not allowed at evacuation centers, only service animals. Make arrangements in advance for your pet.
Clearly label your loved ones equipment and supplies
Strategies for Sheltering in Place:
Make sure your loved one is not alone. Provide a caregiver if a relative or friend is not available.
Instruct your loved one to take refuge in an interior hallway or small room with no windows, such as a closet near load-bearing walls.
Rather than flashlights, provide battery operated lamps (and batteries). The light is more similar to room light and lantern lights dont interfere with hands that are using canes or walkers.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Make sure there are a battery-operated radio or TV, and a non-electric phone.
Be sure to have a clear path to exit and entrance.
Tips and Warnings
If your loved one is in a retirement, rehabilitation or nursing facility, ask for the facilitys emergency plan.
Evacuation from the routine can be especially upsetting to the elderly. Keep your voice calm and reassuring.
Keep plans flexible and have alternatives. In a disaster things can change. You need more than one solution.
Expect a possible, sudden refusal to leave. Agreement to a plan may shift out of fear of the unknown or determination to stay at home and ride it out.
Provide some form of entertainment for your loved one, such as games, puzzles, books or cards. These are wonderful stress reducers.
Whatever path you and your loved one decide to take, good planning is the key. Have a safe and dry hurricane season!
