The gratitude you feel waking up safe and unharmed the day after a Hurricane/Tropical Storm is indescribable. For me the morning after is filled with a series of calls and texts checking in on Loved Ones and letting Loved Ones know that we are okay. I thought about the four days preceding the storm and all of the planning it takes to be best prepared for a weather event. There is a lot of logistics and prep in the days and hours before, so much that the small details can easily get lost in the mild chaos. Is there gas in the car? Is there gas for the generator? Do we have cash on hand? Do we have enough bottled water? Do we have charcoal? Do we have batteries? The list goes on and on. And then there are the very specific things that Mama will need, special considerations to be made for her in the event we stay put or evacuate. I wanted to share some tips on how to help your Loved Ones with special needs in an emergency situation. I pray this list helps you.
If you stay and weather the storm
- Pray with them, for them, over them and all of thee above
- Have a plan with your Caregiver on the day of the weather event (Be sure that they leave ahead of the storm. Give them time to get home safely) and after the weather event (you do not want them risking high water or inclement weather to come to work). Their safety is one of your priorities.
- Create a plan for quickly getting your Loved One to the safest place in your home if evacuation is not possible.
- If you have a spouse and children, have a prior agreement on which parent will assist the children and which will assist your elder Loved One. If you are alone, give clear instructions for everyone to follow.
- Remain calm, they will be alarmed by your panic
- Keep talking and reassuring them that you are with them and will not leave them
- Try to keep the essentials in a place to keep them dry and easy to reach
- Have plenty of battery-operated candles and extra batteries.
- Have a flashlight that they can hold, it will make them feel safe and somewhat in control when the power goes out.
- Have a bag of snacks and bottled water on hand.
- Try to stay together, there is strength in numbers
If you evacuate
- Pray with them, for them, over them and all of thee above
- Have at least one week’s worth of medication prepared
- Think about the items that will bring them comfort and be sure to bring them along for the car ride. Evacuations are quick and almost always stressful, try to create as much comfort as you can.
- Talk through the process with them, keep them informed and try to keep them calm. If they are non-verbal, employ the techniques that are soothing and calming for them.
- Pack enough essentials for at least a week: under garments, pull-ups, adult diapers, wipes, cream, bed shucks, etc.
- Prepare a bag with enough comfortable, easily removable clothing for at least a week.
- Pack their favorite snacks for the car ride along with their favorite cup, this familiarity will help.
- Be sure to bring insurance cards, a complete medication list, a copy of the POA, identification card and vaccination cards. (I keep these together in a designated spot for easy access in the event there is an emergency)
- Share your route and destination with your Loved Ones. Folk need to know where you are going and how you are getting there.
Be as prepared as possible for either situation. Many of us have a Hurricane Preparedness Kits for the family but for your elderly Loved One there are special requirements to be considered. Create a checklist and remember to reassure, reassure and reassure… lack of preparedness increases stress, and your stress will easily become their stress.
Be well and stay safe, Loved Ones!