ARTICLES / General / Disaster
Preparedness for Elder Loved Ones/
Other ArticlesHere is a brief checklist of tasks that should be
completed now. Completion of these tasks will help
prepare you to effectively and efficiently handle any
emergency.
Provide the facility with in-state and out-of-state
emergency contact information.
Find out if the facility has a website where they will
post information in case of a major emergency.
Keep a current copy of your loved one’s medical
requirements with you. Arrange with the doctors,
pharmacy and/or facility to have at least a seven day
supply of each of their medications.
Prepare a bag that you can carry with you to the
facility if the roads are out. It should contain a
portion of each of the following items.
Stock disposable rubber gloves, antibacterial gels,
adult diapers, wipes, skin creams and a supply of
plastic bags to dispose of any waste. Elders with
special medical needs require special hygiene products.
You should have a change of clothes for your elder
family member. Many elders in facilities always wear a
nightgown or very light clothing. If you need to bring
them home, they will need shoes, socks, sweaters,
jackets, etc.
For dementia or Alzheimer’s patients, make sure your
loved one always wears their medic alert bracelet.
It contains the appropriate contact and medical
information. You may also want to consider putting
an emergency pack in their room with all of the
pertinent information about their care in writing.
