Prepare to Stress Less in an Emergency

No one ever wants to think anything bad will happen, but as we all know they do. Often at the worst possible time.

An emergency can include weather related (remember Superstorm Sandy, the ice storm of ’96), fire, a health crisis or someone with dementia wandering away from home. Any one of these can be very scary and demanding for everyone involved.

While any of these situations are incredibly stressful for a caregiver, they can be made easier and less frightening by preparing ahead, especially if you have a loved one who has any kind of special need, either physical or cognitive.

The key to calm in any crisis is having a plan. Checklist items include:

• Who will oversee checking on your loved ones? Will someone be able to call them or go to their house if the need arises?
• Do the emergency contacts know where a key is or how to gain entry (i.e. garage door code or alarm)?
• Does your loved one know who to call in an emergency?
• Asking friends and neighbors to routinely check in on your loved one as well can help put your mind at ease.
• Who will be the point person if there is a problem and your loved one needs assistance or cannot speak for themselves? Their contact information should be in an easily accessed place, like taped to the refrigerator.
• Call the local police and county officials and inquire about a special needs registry. This includes dementia/Alzheimer’s, autism or oxygen. These registries provide first responders with vital information regarding a registrant’s disability, emergency contact information, a physical description and current photograph of the registrant.
• If your loved one lives in an adult community, ask what their emergency plans are. Where are residents directed to go and/or how do they move them to a safe haven if they cannot get themselves there? Who notifies their loved ones?
• Know where identification and insurance cards are. First responders and the emergency room will need health insurance cards, both primary and secondary. Make sure cards are updated and current. Insurance includes homeowners or renters policies in case of damages to a home due to natural disaster or fire.
• Make a list of current medications, including the name, dosage and when it’s taken. This is one of the first things emergency responders and the emergency room will ask for after identification and insurance. The CDC has Complete Care Plan Form which is a great resource to download and gather critical information.
• If there are medications that need to be kept cold, think of alternatives to the refrigerator or freezer if the power goes out for an extended period of time.
• Have everyone in the home know how to use any medical equipment. This includes portable oxygen tanks, walkers and wheelchairs.
• Practice a hurried exit. This will help you see possible pitfalls should an actual emergency happen, and a quick exit is needed.
• If a person is oxygen dependent, routinely check backup tanks in case of a power outage. You don’t want to be stuck with an empty tank.
• Have battery-operated lights available in case of a power outage. This is critical, especially if someone is on oxygen where no open flames should be present.
• Speaking of empty tanks, make sure the car’s gas tank has enough fuel to get somewhere safe. As we learned with Superstorm Sandy, gas stations can be affected by the weather.
• Make a plan for pets as well. They are important members of the household.
• Create an emergency kit that includes several days’ supply of:
  • Medications
  • Water
  • Nonperishable food
  • Can opener
  • Toiletries
  • Cell phone & electronics chargers
  • Blankets
  • Cash
  • Flashlights
  • Radio (or download a radio app)
  • Spare glasses
  • Batteries for hearing aids and radio
  • Blankets
  • Spare keys for house and automobiles

September is National Preparedness Month. Visit Ready.gov for resources and toolkits to plan ahead for the next emergency.