Being prepared is the best way to deal with almost any situation. It’s all the more true when dealing with hurricanes.
The Atlantic super-storms can be as big as entire states, and can wreak untold damage to property and human lives. For aging adults, especially those with physical impairments and special needs, having a plan in place ahead of time can be the difference between catastrophe and surviving safely with health intact.
But all plans, even the best of plans, will encounter unforeseen circumstances that are likely to complicate or even derail them.
As Winston Churchill said, “It is always wise to look ahead, but difficult to look further than you can see.”
That’s why being fully prepared also requires a back-up plan. And in the case of flooding, heavy rains, and 100 miles per hour winds brought on by hurricanes, a good back-up plan is critical.
Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when developing your hurricane plan B.
- Make sure you have a backup power supply for medical equipment, and that either you or your caregiver knows how to connect it.
- Keep backup medical equipment in good condition and in a location where it won’t be damaged by flooding. This could even be at a neighbor’s house.
- If you use an electric wheelchair, be sure to have a manual back-up wheelchair.
- Have a cell phone with an extra battery. Keeping emergency channels open, such as 911, are a top priority of disaster management agencies. A quick call can help rescue workers find you, if need be.
- Practice showing others how to connect and operate your medical equipment. In the event that you are cut off from friends, family or caregivers, you may need to show a neighbor or stranger who has never dealt with your equipment before.
- It’s a good idea to purchase a medical emergency alert system where at the press of a button emergency personnel will be notified. Some of these systems run on land-based phone lines. Make sure to arrange yours to run through a cell phone.
- Arrange for several people in your support system to check-in on you before, during and after a hurricane. Don’t rely on just person. Have several back-ups.
Having a plan in place and even a backup plan can prepare you for this year’s hurricane season. If this article raised more questions than answers, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We want everyone in our community to stay safe this hurricane season.
