M ARCH 2019 | DISASTER PREPARATION |
Emergency preparedness tips for seniors
Natural disasters can strike at any time, and when they do,
the damage is oft en considerable. According to the United
Nations Offi ce for Disaster Risk Reduction, between 2005
and 2014, natural disasters caused $1.4 trillion in damage
across the globe, aff ecting 1.7 billion people along the way.
Various preventive measures can protect people and
their homes from the potentially devastating impact of nat-
ural disasters. For example, oceanfront communities may
be able to decrease property damage by exacting certain
measures, such as building homes on stilts.
Another way to prevent tragedy related to natural disas-
ters is to develop an emergency preparedness plan before
the next storm strikes. Th at’s important for everyone, but
especially so for seniors, many of whom live with mobility
issues that can compromise their ability to escape the eye of
oncoming storms.
In recognition of the potential problems seniors face
when natural disasters strike, the American Red Cross of-
fers the following tips to seniors and their families so aging
men and women can make it through such situations safe
and sound.
• Make arrangements to contact loved ones. Prior to an
emergency, seniors and their support network should make
arrangements to make immediate contact once a disaster
strikes. Determine who will make initial contact and how
that contact will be made (i.e., via phone, text message,
social media, etc.), as well as who will be responsible for
providing assistance if necessary. Such a plan lets everyone
within the support network know their precise responsibil-
ities, which limits confusion in the sometimes hectic hours
and days aft er disaster strikes.
• Exchange keys. Make sure everyone in the support
network has keys to seniors’ homes. In so doing, support
networks are increasing the chances that someone will be
able to reach potentially vulnerable seniors if the primary
contacts are incapable of doing so.
• Let others know where emergency supplies are kep
Everyone should have emergency supplies in their home
Seniors should not take it for granted that such suppli
can be easily found if they become incapacitated during
storm. Make sure such information can be easily access
during a storm by emailing it to your support network an
or posting the information in a convenient location in yo
home, such as on the refrigerator.
• Share your evacuation plans. In the wake of recent d
sasters, many communities that did not previously feel vu
nerable to natural disasters have devised evacuation pla
for residents. Seniors should share these plans with the
support networks. Doing so makes it easier for relatives
fi nd you if you must evacuate your home before help a
rives.
• Share important medical information. Seniors shou
share medical information, such as healthcare provide
and a list of the medications they’re taking. Th is can ma
things easier for emergency responders to successfully tre
people who become incapacitated during storms.
Emergency preparedness strategies save lives. More i
formation about how seniors can prepare for emergenci
is available at www.redcross.org.
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541-997-3128
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Bettina@FlorenceChamber.com
290 Hwy. 101 • Florence
www.ci.fl orence.or.us