Here are some useful tips from the Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center about emergency preparedness. This is especially important if you are a caring for someone else! Store a minimum of 3 days’ worth of water, medications, food per person. And have an emergency supplies kit prepared. Details below.
Robin
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Emergencies—Be Ready
The Caregiver
Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center Newsletter
November/December 2016
Weather emergencies and natural disasters can strike anywhere. Prioritize the needs of those in your care, then take steps to provide for those needs in case of an emergency. Store a minimum of 3 days’ worth of:
Water
The average person requires at least 1 gallon of water a day for drinking, food preparation and basic hygiene. Always keep ice on hand; in the event of a power outage, ice in the freezer will keep things cool longer. You can use ice in a cooler chest to keep essentials cool for a day.
Medications
Prescription and over‐ the‐counter medications and medical sup‐ plies (syringes, catheters) should be replenished at least 3 days BEFORE they are used up. For essential maintenance meds, keep a 1‐week “buffer” supply. For medications that need to be refrigerated (like insulin), buy a small cooler chest for emergency storage.
Food
If the person in your care requires special foods (Ensure, diabetic foods), make sure you have at least a 3‐day supply of these and other nonperishable food. Use and replace them frequently to keep them fresh.
Pets and service animal supplies
Keep a 3‐day supply of pet food and water.
Emergency Supplies Kit
Lists: prescription medications, dosage, and allergies; doctors and emergency contacts; the style and serial numbers of med‐ ical devices such as pacemakers.
Copies: medical insurance, Advance Directives, Medicare cards, Social Security, ID.
• Extra eyeglasses and hearing‐aid batteries, wheelchair batteries or other special equipment.
• Flashlight, battery‐operated radio, fresh batteries, extra blankets, work gloves, sturdy shoes, a manual can opener, eating utensils and a whistle.
• Extra clothing and incontinence supplies.
• Cell phone with rechargers and extra cash.
Those With Special Needs
An elderly person or a person with disabilities may face some special challenges if an emergency strikes. Caregivers can help them learn about the challenges that they may face and help them prepare ahead of time. Then they will be better able to cope with the disaster and recover from it more quickly.
Sources: www.nod.org; www.ready.gov; www.fema.gov; www.disasterassistance.gov; www.redcross.org