Daily Living Blog

Disaster Preparedness

With the recent events in Haiti as a result of the catastrophic earthquake and then the severe winter storms across the United States, I began thinking about Disaster Preparedness especially for Aging adults.

While we live in the central United States, it is still a practical idea to be aware of how any calamity can affect a person’s day-to-day living. Ben Franklin stated “By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.” I do believe there is much truth in that statement. While we cannot forsee the future, isn’t it important to take notice to what is around us and how best to function if something were to occur that could cause a limitation and/or crisis?

I found a couple of resources that are in essence a plan of action should a disaster strike. While I understand these lists are NOT all encompassing, they are practical in nature and could be utilized in case of a flood, earthquake, tornado or any natural disaster.

FEMA has listed the following points when planning ahead.  I’ve added some additional notations and resources.

• Get informed – what kinds of natural elements are common in your area?  What can you do to keep your family safe?  Understand how devestating floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, snow storms and the like can be.
  
• Plan for emergencies – Understand what plan you need in place before disaster strikes.
  • Escape routes & general meeting place in case of emergency 
  • Evacuation plans
  • Family communications 
  • Utility shut-off and safety
  • Insurance and vital records
  • Special needs
  • Care for pets: Information for pet owners
  • Care for livestock: Information for livestock owners
  • Safety skills
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit – Click here for ideas.
  
• Effectively shelter
  ◦ Prepare a safe room (plan on a common meeting area)
  ◦ Guidelines for managing water supplies
  ◦ Guidelines for managing food supplies
  
• Communication Plan - http://www.calamitykit.com/
  Establish a communications plan that each member of your family is aware of and knows how to implement. Establish an out of town contact to check in with in the event of an emergency and make sure everyone in you household knows how to contact them either by phone or email or both. This is very important for your family in the event that you can not find each other.
  
  • Special needs & concerns – aging, disabled, children
      ◦ Steps to take for those with disabilities before and during crisis
      ◦ Emergency Preparedness for People With Disabilities
      ◦ Emergency Preparedness for Seniors
            Earthquakes & Seniors
     

  One website that I found that was all encompassing on both an individual level as well as a community level was the California Department of Aging.  While their plans are mainly targeted at Earthquakes – it focuses upon how to respond as an individual, as a community and as an agency.  I highly recommend checking out their website.  They even have a tip sheet for seniors based upon possible natural disasters.  These are available in multiple languages including Chinese, Spanish, Japanese and Russian.

  As many of the sites and resources stated, it is not only important to be thinking about a plan of action but to actually enact them.  The first step is to print out these lists and write out your own plan.  Often, the first thing affected is electricity and the ability to access the internet (and this article and these websites).

  Together we all can make a difference and strive for limitless living.