PREPARING SENIORS FOR EMERGENCIES Whether it is an older relative or neighbor, it is important to plan and to help inform seniors in our lives about emergency preparedness. CREATE A SUPPORT NETWORK EMERGENCY DOCUMENTS If you think a senior relative, neighbor, or loved one While you hope you will never have to need these will need help during a disaster, it is important to documents, collect a copy or encourage your loved help them create a support network within their one to share these with another member of their community. Write down and share each aspect of support network. your emergency plan with them so they are aware Doctor names, their specialties, and phone of what you intend to do during an emergency. numbers Encourage them to create their own emergency kit List of medications being taken and what and plan, and then share it with you. the prescriptions are for. Have them show you how to use any lifesaving Medical insurance, prescription plans, and equipment they may have and how to appropriately identification numbers. administer medicine in case of an emergency. Social security number Durable power of attorney (allows someone the authority to handle legal and financial KNOW IMPORTANT SERVICE PROVIDERS issues if your loved one becomes EMERGENCY PLANS incapacitated.) Health care proxy (allows someone the If your loved one relies on regular services such as in authority to make medical decisions for your home care, treatment or transportation services, loved one.) make sure you ask the provider what their Understanding of your loved ones wishes in emergency plan is. If a provider has not created one, terms of resuscitation and after death encourage them to do so or it may be worth looking planning for one that already has one in place. Gather Names of all those to notify in case of information on how you can get in contact with the emergency (friends, family, neighbors, etc) service provider in case of an emergency. Basic financial records (assets, account numbers, names and contact information)
PREPARING SENIORS FOR EMERGENCIES Whether it is an older relative or neighbor, it is important to plan and to help inform seniors in our lives about emergency preparedness. CREATE A SUPPORT NETWORK If you think a senior relative, neighbor, or loved one will need help during a disaster, it is important to help them create a support network within their community. Write down and share each aspect of your emergency plan with them so they are aware of what you intend to do during an emergency. Encourage them to create their own emergency kit and plan, and then share it with you. Have them show you how to use any lifesaving equipment they may have and how to appropriately administer medicine in case of an emergency. KNOW IMPORTANT SERVICE PROVIDERS EMERGENCY PLANS If your loved one relies on regular services such as in home care, treatment or transportation services, make sure you ask the provider what their emergency plan is. If a provider has not created one, encourage them to do so or it may be worth looking for one that already has one in place. Gather information on how you can get in contact with the service provider in case of an emergency. EMERGENCY DOCUMENTS While you hope you will never have to need these documents, collect a copy or encourage your loved one to share these with another member of their support network. Doctor names, their specialties, and phone numbers List of medications being taken and what the prescriptions are for. Medical insurance, prescription plans, and identification numbers. Social security number Durable power of attorney (allows someone the authority to handle legal and financial issues if your loved one becomes incapacitated.) Health care proxy (allows someone the authority to make medical decisions for your loved one.) Understanding of your loved ones wishes in terms of resuscitation and after death planning Names of all those to notify in case of emergency (friends, family, neighbors, etc) Basic financial records (assets, account numbers, names and contact information)
Preparing%20Seniors%20for%20Emergencies.docx