Disaster Preparedness for Older People

Check out this great article from ReadyGA about disaster preparedness for older people...

If you are one of the almost 800,000 Georgians over age 65, emergency planning should reflect your unique needs. Surviving tomorrow’s disaster often depends on the preparation made today.

Beverly and Randy helped their elderly mother prepare for emergencies. Now they don't have to worry about her safety in the event of a disaster:

Prepare
Start with the basic Ready kit items, then add supplies to meet your unique daily needs:

• Extra eyeglasses, hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, wheelchair batteries and oxygen.
• Extra medications and copies of all prescriptions, in case there is no access to a drugstore or medical facility. Include dosage and a list of allergies.
• Contact information for your doctors; copies of Medicare cards insurance.
• Copies of important documents in a watertight container:
  • Family records, wills, power of attorney documents, deeds, bank information, tax records, cash or travelers checks, names and contact information of your support network

Plan
Next, determine any special assistance you may need, and include in your emergency plan.

• Create a support network of family, friends and others who can assist you during an emergency, and share your disaster plans with them. Practice your plan with them.
  • Make sure they have an extra key to your home, know where you keep your emergency supplies and how to use lifesaving equipment or administer medicine.
• If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify back-up service providers.
• If you have a communication-related disability, note the best way to communicate with you.
• Don’t forget your pets or service animals. Not all shelters accept pets, so plan for alternatives.
  • Consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area
  • Prepare a Ready kit for your pet

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