Health

Now Is Time to Prepare Older Adults for Disruptive Weather

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OMAHA, Neb. (PRWEB)

This year, the U.S. has seen a record number of tornado strikes. The severity of destructive weather, such as tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires, can be especially difficult for older adults.

The impact of a damaging storm or sudden evacuation can be more intense and pose a higher risk for older adults who may be on a fixed income or can’t evacuate quickly because they live alone, are not able to drive or have limited physical mobility. Many older adults also have health considerations, such as medications or equipment, which depend on electricity.

Sue Bidwell is a franchise owner with Home Instead, the leading provider of in-home care for older adults. Bidwell has experience helping clients develop emergency plans, as well as recovering from severe weather, such as Hurricane Ian last fall that impacted her Fort Myers service area. According to [AARP, 61 out of 87 people killed by Hurricane Ian in Florida last fall were at least 60 years old. Eighteen of them were in their 80s, and five were in their 90s.

“The unfortunate truth is that when a storm strikes, older adults and those with special needs tend to suffer the most,” Bidwell said. “So, it’s critical to have a solid plan to help older loved ones feel prepared.”

Emergency preparation should include checklists and evacuation strategies to ensure older adults have everything needed before, during and after an emergency. Home Instead recommends the following tips to help older adults prepare for severe weather.

  • Create a Plan. Discuss with your loved one the types of scenarios in which they will shelter in place or evacuate. Review the plan together to alleviate anxieties or fears. If they are staying put, identify the rooms they will be in most and make sure their must-haves are accessible. If they need to evacuate, have a plan for how to get them and their essentials from point A to point B. Understand that leaving one’s home can be distressing – especially for those with dementia. Find ways to maintain their daily routine, such as bringing along some of their favorite things.

  • Assemble a Kit. Prepare essentials in advance, as stores may be closed, crowded or have limited stock during an emergency. At the start of each year, confirm your loved one has functioning household items such as a battery-powered radio, flashlight and blankets on hand. When a storm is predicted, add at least three days’ worth of food and water, as well as important medications, to the items you have already collected.

  • Develop an Inventory. Help your loved one create a detailed list of what they own. In the event of damage or loss, having this information compiled can speed up the claims process, substantiate losses for income tax purposes or support an application for disaster aid. Keep receipts and prioritize taking pictures or videos as evidence. Don’t forget to include important documents such as insurance policies, passport and bank details.

  • Establish a Contact List. Write down the names and numbers of whom your loved one should contact in the event you are unavailable to evacuate them. It is important for them to know whom they can turn to for help during a severe weather event. As an extra precaution, tape an emergency contact to the back of their ID card so you can be contacted in the event your loved one gets lost. Ensure you have a charged cell phone and a backup battery on hand. Consider having a personal emergency response system if available.

  • Protect your home. Secure your home by installing storm shutters, reinforcing doors and windows, and trimming tree branches that could pose a threat during high winds. If advised to evacuate, follow the guidance of local authorities promptly.

  • Remain Calm. Severe weather can be scary. If watching television coverage of the weather is distressing for your loved one, limit their news consumption and provide alternative pastimes such as movies, puzzles or books. Find ways to keep your loved one calm, allowing you to focus on everyone’s safety.


“Disasters don’t wait,” Bidwell said. “With severe weather, you never have as much time to plan as you may think. Preparing in advance can help older adults weather the storm.”

For more resources on displacing weather and natural disaster preparedness for older adults, visit https://www.homeinstead.com/care-resources/.

ABOUT HOME INSTEAD, AN HONOR COMPANY

Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor, are expanding the world’s capacity to care. With the world’s largest home care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families, and Care Professionals. Home Instead, Inc. is the premier home care franchisor through its network of independently owned and operated Home Instead franchise businesses. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 Care Professionals across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide. For more information, visit joinhonor.com and homeinstead.com.

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