Caregivers And Disaster Planning: Its All About Details
Release Date: May 23, 2007
Release Number: 1604-549
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BILOXI, Miss. -- Some say the devil is in the details. For caregivers of those with disabilities or special needs, it’s the attention given to details that makes a good disaster plan for the approaching hurricane season.
A caregiver may be responsible for an individual who can’t walk or see, or has developmental or cognitive disabilities or is otherwise vulnerable, if left alone, in an emergency situation. Other than preparing the typical components of a disaster plan such as out-of-state family communications, evacuation routes and basic emergency supplies (see www.fema.gov/preparedness or www.msema.org ), caregivers must consider a wider universe of requirements or details to ensure the safety or well being of those they are entrusted to protect.
Support Network
Priority one for caregivers is to develop a support network that can provide assistance in a disaster.
The network, or team, can include relatives or neighbors, volunteers or staff of social agencies and should number at least three. There should be a plan to communicate among members and between them and the caregiver. Each team member should be trusted to check to see if their assistance is needed and be able to provide help before or after a hurricane.
Special Requirements
Caregivers should assess the daily living requirements and medical needs of the individuals they help and develop a list that may include:
- Special equipment for feeding or respiration;
- Special foods to meet dietary requirements;
- Equipment for personal care such as a shower bench;
- Regular medical treatments such as dialysis;
- Communications equipment such as adaptive hearing or sight devices;
- Backup for electricity-dependent equipment;
- Medicine or prescriptions for a minimum of two weeks;
- Mobility aids such as a wheelchair or walker;
- Service animals and their feeding and care.
If a storm approaches, caregivers should know how to operate backup equipment and already have a plan in place with regular service providers (home health care, transportation, dialysis). They should learn about their providers’ disaster plans, how to contact them in an emergency and identify back-up providers.
Community Assistance
Caregivers should think about potential crises if utilities are off for a period of time, or if evacuation is required and they are displaced from home. Special community programs are available in the event a hurricane or other disaster requires evacuation. Before hurricane season starts:
- Ask about special assistance programs. Many communities ask people to register, usually with the local fire or police department, or local emergency management office so needed help can be provided quickly in an emergency;
- Register with the local utility company if electricity-dependent;
- Find out which shelters can accommodate special medical needs;
- Check on available hospitals that may provide shelter and medical assistance for those with critical medical needs;
- Find shelters that will allow service animals, if necessary.
- Take American Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillation) to accommodate people with disabilities.
Good planning by caregivers is all about details. It’s also about knowing the resources available for those with disabilities or special needs. Help is available through a number of national and local social service or non-profit agencies.
Where to find more information
Many of these agencies provide materials in large font, audio or video cassettes formats, and different languages.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.fema.gov/preparedness/ or (800) 480-2520 (voice)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
www.ready.gov or (800) BE READY (voice) or (800) 464-6161 (TTY)
National Organization on Disability
www.nod.org/emergency
(202) 293-5960 (voice) or (202)293-5968 (TTY)
American Red Cross
www.prepare.org or www.redcross.org
Call your local chapter
Humane Society of the U.S. (Disaster Center)
www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/ or (202) 452-1100 (voice)
FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 23-May-2007 12:31:09