10 ways to prepare for disaster

Our last column discussed how, in the event of a disaster, a plan can help reunite families faster and help minimize the stress on seniors and other family members during an already stressful time. Following are 10 ways that seniors, their families and caregivers can prepare for a natural disaster.

1. Be informed. Contact the local emergency management office to learn about the most likely natural disasters to strike your area. Valuable information is available at www.gov.ns.ca/EMO.

2. Complete a personal assessment. Seniors should determine what they can or can't do before, during and after a disaster. Make a list of those needs and resources that can meet them.

3. Make a plan. Schedule a family meeting to assess your needs in an emergency and develop a plan of action. Include in your plan key people in your life - neighbors, friends, relatives and professional caregivers - who could help. Remember to include pets in your plan.

4. Assemble a disaster kit containing essential supplies, as well as photocopies of key identification, your health card, and legal documents. The easy-to-carry kit should have three days of non-perishable food and water, plus an additional four days of food and water readily accessible at home. Keep bottled water on hand since it's easy to store and carry. Refresh and replace your supplies at least twice a year. Medication and other personal supplies such as a cane, eyeglasses, or batteries for a hearing aid should also be part of your kit.

5. Label every piece of equipment or personal item in your kit, in case they are lost.

6. Discuss multiple escape routes. Seniors should develop at least two escape routes - one out of their home in case of fire when they must get out quickly, and one out of the area in case they must evacuate the local community. (The local emergency management office can provide escape routes out of the community). Designate a place to meet other relatives or key support network people outside the house, as well as a second location outside the neighborhood, such as a school or church. Practice the plan at least twice a year.

7. Know when to go or to stay, and how to make the decision. When deciding to evacuate, older adults should go sooner rather than later. By waiting too long, they may be unable to leave if they require assistance from others.

8. Know where to get information during an emergency, either through the local television, radio station, or weather radio. Have a battery-operated radio on hand. Different alarms are available for people with medical conditions, such as a strobe alarm for the hearing-impaired.

9. Make a list of contact telephone numbers. The list should include people on a seniors' support network, as well as doctors and other important health-care professionals.

10. Call a professional caregiver if you or your loved one needs help. If a senior needs assistance and you can't be there, contact your local office of Home Instead Senior Care.

For more information about local caregivers and how they can help in a crisis, call the Home Instead Senior Care office.

jburke@homeinstead.com