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Electricity Emergency Preparedness for Seniors and Caregivers

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Power outages aren’t very common, but when they do happen in your community, do you know what to do?

Preparing for power outage emergencies won’t be as easy as getting a 72-hour emergency kit ready—especially if you are an elderly or are caring for someone who is.

Here are a few things that may help you ensure your safety or of the elderly in your care.

IDENTIFY THE RISKS

Knowing what you’re up against is a big step toward being prepared.

WHAT CAUSED THE POWER OUTAGE?

  • Natural disaster.
  • Accidents leading to power failure.

WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE RISKS?

  • Do you live alone?
  • Do you drive or own a car?
  • Do you have any physical, medical, thinking or learning limitations?
    • Smell.
    • Hearing.
    • Mobility.
    • Vision.
    • Communication.
  • Are you reliant upon any medical equipment or assistive technologies?
  • Are you reliant upon a caregiver?

HOW WILL THE POWER OUTAGE IMPACT YOU OR THEM IN THE NEXT 72 HOURS?

Below you’ll find helpful checklists for when there’s a power outage in your area—covering different scenarios and circumstances.

CREATE YOUR PERSONAL SUPPORT NETWORK (FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, AND FRIENDS) AHEAD OF TIME

  • Get your family, neighbors and friends to assist during a power outage.
  • Get your family, neighbors and friends to assist during a power outage.
  • Call your local emergency management office.
    • Ask what their emergency plans are and how they can assist you.
    • Ask for their list of contacts and of the numbers of nearby health care facilities—keep these numbers close.

GATHER ALL RELEVANT MEDICAL INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS FOR EASY ACCESS

  • Prepare medical alert tags or bracelets to wear during the emergency.
  • Prepare medical alert tags or bracelets to wear during the emergency.
    • Outline your needs. This is in case you will be moved to a facility so first responders will be informed on the type of help you need.
    • Prepare your medical documents and records so medical personnel will be to see to your medical needs.
    • Prepare a list of your medication.
  • State the best way to communicate with you. This is important especially if you or the person in your care needs to be brought to a facility that is unfamiliar with your needs.

PREP A 72-HOUR EMERGENCY KIT

  • Use battery operated flashlights and lanterns. DO NOT USE CANDLES.
  • Unplug all major appliances so they won’t be damaged by the electrical surge when the power is restored.
  • Store your supplies in a container that has wheels.
  • Label your emergency medical supplies with large print text or Braille.
  • Label your equipment and assistive devices, like wheelchairs, canes or walkers, with your name, address and phone numbers.
  • Get ice or frozen cold packs in a small ice chest to store your medicines in.
  • Keep your emergency contact list close and contact them as soon as you can.
  • Pack plenty of batteries and power banks for your assistive devices.
  • Pack plenty of lighting resources like flashlights and lamps (if you have a power generator, even better!).
  • Prepare food and water supplies for up to 72 hours.
  • Ready blankets and extra clothing for warmth.
  • Set aside extra money, as well as the documents you’ll need to secure social security and other regular benefits.
  • Don’t forget to prepare emergency kits for your pets/service animals

HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND/OR ASSISTIVE EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

  • Prepare batteries or alternate sources of power that will sustain you and your medical equipment/assistive technology for the next 72 hours.
  • If you have a hearing disability, prepare a TTY (or Text Telephone), or extra batteries for your assistive devices.
  • Contact your doctor or health care provider and ask for nearby alternatives you can relocate to for help during a power outage.
  • Use portable generators cautiously.
    • Make sure you operate them outdoors, in a well-ventilated area.
    • Do not connect your generator to your home’s electrical system (unless using an approved transfer switch that is compliant with your local electrical code).

ALTERNATE COMMUNICATION OPTIONS CHECKLIST

  • Prepare cards with phrases, pictures, or pictograms for communication, so your support network or first responders can communicate with you.
  • If you are visually impaired, or care for one:
    • Prepare Braille or text communication cards for communication.
    • Label your emergency supplies with Braille or large print texts

SCHEDULED TREATMENTS/THERAPEUTIC CARE ALTERNATIVES CHECKLIST

If you or the senior citizen in your care requires regular medical treatments like dialysis, or other procedures, call your clinic or hospital to.

  • Ask about their emergency plans and processes and how they can help you during the crisis.
  • Ask for their back-up medical treatment providers close to your location

MOBILITY AND MOVEMENT CHECKLIST

  • Prepare extra battery packs if you or the person in your care uses a power wheelchair.
  • Prepare an extra manual mobility aid like a cane, walker, or manual wheelchair as your alternative for moving around.
  • Store your supplies in one or more easy-to-carry containers, such as a backpack or a duffel bag.
  • Plan and prepare your transportation options, in case you need to move to a clinic or hospital for care and assistance during the emergency.
  • If you have a personal vehicle, keep your gas tank full.

 

A little planning can go a long way to making sure you or the person in your care is safe and taken care of. Keep to this list and don’t worry: you’ll find that there will always be people to help you during emergencies.

SOURCES

  • Preparedness information for people with disabilities., American Public Health Association.
  • Disaster Planning For Older Adults, Insurance Information Institute.
  • Emergency Preparedness Tips for Senior Citizens, Senior Citizen’s Guide.
  • Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors, American Red Cross.
  • The Importance of a Personal Support Network, American Red Cross.
  • Power Outages, Ready.gov

 

For more information: https://www.chooseenergy.com

 

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Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies
Caregiving

Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

 
Seen the photos of nursing home residents sitting in waist deep water? Watch the elderly couple’s daughter flag down a CNN crew to rescue them from rising waters? These are examples of how devastating emergencies can be magnified when they involve the elderly, the infirm or the immobile. Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies

 
With a few minutes of your time and their help, your elder can be prepared for any kind of emergency, reducing your worry and their exposure. Should an emergency situation arise, your elders will be in a much better situation when you take them through these simple steps now.
Stay ahead of the storm with preparation for your elders:

  • Make sure your elders have their paperwork in an easy-to-retrieve place (power of attorney, advance directive, wills, marriage certificate, birth certificates, DOD discharge papers, insurance policies, etc.) Put in a Ziploc bag, waterproof container or fireproof safe. Important to include as well – copies of their drivers’ licenses, Medicare and supplemental insurance cards, current medication list.
  • Make copies of these papers and give to siblings, keep one yourself and put one in a safe deposit box.
  • Make extra keys to your elders’ house. You keep one and put one outside their house (hidden, but easy to retrieve in an emergency). Give one to a trusted neighbor.
  • Put names, phone numbers and addresses of several of your elders’ neighbors in your phone. Make sure they have your contact info too. Ask if they will check on your elders in the event of an emergency.
  • Place a copy of your elders’ medication list, their advance directive and copies of their medical insurance cards in a Ziploc bag and tape to front of the refrigerator. EMTs and other first responders know to look there for important papers before they transport elders.
  • If your elder is a resident in a facility such as a nursing home or assisted living, ask the facility to give you their evacuation plan. How will they move residents to safety in case of fire, flood or other life-threatening event? How will they contact you if this happens?
  • Take time to scan important photos and paperwork into your computer. Put these on a thumb drive or disk and place in a safe place (a safe deposit box, if possible).
  • Take photos periodically of your elders’ home, apartment or residence, their belongings, even their vehicle and keep for insurance documentation.
  • Scan a copy of your elders’ insurance policy. Keep their agent’s contact info in the same document.
  • Add your name and/or a sibling’s name as authorized user on your elders’ financial accounts. You’ll have to make a trip to the bank or financial institution with your elder to do this. If something happens and you need to write a check or pay a bill online, you will have the proper permission to access the account. Your elder can remove the approval for this at any time, if they are uncomfortable with the thought of someone else on their account. They remain the primary responsible account owner – you are simply authorized to access the account.
  • Keep property deeds in a safe deposit box or, at the very least, in a watertight container or fireproof safe inside their home. Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies

Staying ahead of the next eldercare emergency gives you some peace of mind about their safety and security. But, it also allows you to focus more on the care and less on panic when the inevitable emergency does arise (health, fall, natural disaster or any other). Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies
Author Suzanne Blankenship

Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies

Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies Practical Tips on Preparing for Elder Emergencies

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