Raising Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

Do some reading

Seniors need more than simple streetwise in order to survive natural disasters and emergencies. Since we are talking about a very complex topic, the elderly should brainstorm strategies with their close family members or friends to help make the necessary preparations.

There are also guides that dissect the notion of emergency preparation. There is a free document on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention government site that categorizes the different emergencies or hazards and provides action plans for vulnerable aging adults. The internet as a whole is a good source of information, with several forums and Reddit posts dedicated to emergency readiness.

Create a personal support network

Members of a personal support network are advised to share important keys, emergency documents – such as a vial of life – and even supplies. They should also agree on a common communication plan that factors in the potential unavailability of telephone lines, including the practice chain-calling each other. Seniors can also volunteer to go check on their peers who live with disabilities or are unable to handle modern technology.

Medical alert system functionality during disasters

Personal emergency response devices are designed to remain operational during a small-scale crisis. For example, the in-home station is fitted with a backup battery that powers the system for up to two days.

48 hours are more than enough to ride out a literal storm, but what if the phone lines are damaged too? For this reason, medical alert companies recommend purchasing a cellular model, because its connection gives it a better chance to avoid being hindered by the weather.

Unfortunately, the usefulness of such a service becomes more questionable during a nationwide disaster. When Hurricane Irma slammed Florida, many residents (including seniors) were forced to leave their home. After returning, several elderly homeowners reported that their medical alert devices were unable to reconnect to the monitoring service due to the massive damage that had been dealt to the communication systems.

Even though the problem was quickly fixed, it doesn’t change the fact that the aging residents would have been unable to call for help if they had decided to remain at home. That’s why it’s so important to prepare for emergencies and have a personal support network to help out in these situations.