Emergency Preparedness for Seniors and Older Adults

Hello, I'm zenya from Total prepare and today we are going to talk about

preparedness

for

seniors

and

seniors

, let's get started, no matter who you are, there are some

emergency

preparedness

basics that never change, you will need to learn about your local. hazards make an

emergency

plan and prepare an emergency kit. We cover them in detail in our blogs and other videos which I will link to in the description of this video; However, we will focus on the differences about preparing as or for an

older

person. or

older

adult depending on the age of help International older people are some of the most affected during major emergencies, although work is being done to try to address this through public services; is still a major issue, so what are the biggest challenges specific to older people that they most often face? faced in an emergency are mobility problems Financial limitations health concerns or limitations technology and isolation and invisibility let's take a look at each one Mobility can be difficult on a good day for many older people let alone during an emergency the roads can be dangerous or uneven elevators are unsafe and doors locked during many types of disasters, every emergency is a little different, so use your judgment and experience to decide if you can safely maneuver through a situation, or if not, get the attention of any way you can, have a medical or emergency alert. on your person or in your living space is ideal for this.

If that is not an option, turn on a radio or scream for help. Here are some specific ways you can prepare with mobility in mind. Get a medical or emergency alarm if you live in special housing. You may be able to request one to be installed if you live in a building with stairs. Request that an emergency evacuation chair be stored near a staircase or on the floor. Keep a help sign with your kit. These can be placed in a window so first responders can see at a glance that you need help contact your caregivers, neighbors or network and ask them to check on you if there is an emergency keep emergency supplies Compact and portable talk to a professional about how you can minimizing the weight of their kit and storing it in a rolling suitcase or carry-on bag, nine per cent of people who visit Canadian food banks or seniors whose fixed incomes simply can't keep up with inflation ;

Similarly, many seniors have trouble affording things like emergency kits and supplies for anyone preparing on a limited budget there. Here are some things you can do to keep costs down: Investing in freeze-dried foods can be expensive, so stock up on canned goods, buy an extra can of something each time you shop, and rotate older products first, this will increase volume. of your pantry over time, which will help you be resilient in emergencies, mylar bags and oxygen absorbers can be used to preserve bulk dry foods at a relatively low price. I'll link another video about that in the description.

Use what you already have to build an emergency kit. Many of the supplies you will need. Necessities can already be found in your home, gathering them in one place or keeping a list of what you need to grab quickly can be a good way to prepare while keeping costs down. Build supplies over time. Make a list of what you want. In your emergency kit, then keep it in a bag while you talk or make calls. Keep an eye out for deals and opportunities at garage sales and thrift stores to put the pieces together. More than 85 percent of people ages 65 and older report having at least one chronic health condition.

The care or resources you need for your health problems can become complicated in an emergency, even something as common as a power outage can be a significant challenge for those who rely on equipment to monitor them or keep them healthy. Here are some preparation options to consider if you have health concerns wear a medical bracelet to communicate any allergies or special needs to first responders keep extras of any prescription medications along with a list of all your medications and doses in your kit rotate the medication to keep you cool have extra batteries on hand for any essential medical equipment, if this is an option, consider investing in a generator or a large backup battery if communication is a challenge for you, keep pre-written response cards, a pen and a notebook in your kit.

The cards should have basic answers, emergency contact information and common phrases, for example. you might have cards for yes, no I don't know, I can't hear you, I need to go to the bathroom or I'm hungry, oh, pack spare glasses, orthopedic shoes, or dentures if applicable Lastly, pack a repair kit For any Walkers wheelchair or similar equipment. If you need it, while many seniors and older

adults

have become technology professionals, there is still a notable knowledge gap for many, meanwhile, emergency communications are being done digitally through emergency alerts, check-ins on line and emergency updates on social media for people whose skills are ingrained.

Outside of technology, this can make staying informed and getting resources in an emergency complicated. If this is an area of ​​concern, there are a couple of things you can do ahead of time to prepare. Do your research ahead of time by asking your municipality where the planned emergency shelters are. with online platforms and resources before an emergency and, if necessary, write down step-by-step instructions on how to access these resources and information so you can do so in an emergency. Keep a radio in your kit and confirm which stations are the best in your area. For emergency upgrades, don't forget to carry spare batteries.

Research by help age International shows that some of the biggest problems that arise for older

adults

in humanitarian crises are isolation and invisibility, not being reunited with a family or network, having more difficulty accessing. accessing services and overlooking support needs are part of this problem, while many emergency response and preparedness organizations are making great strides to strengthen best practices in emergency response for older people. The fact that it can be a problem is good to keep in mind the things that you could do to mitigate these problems include building a support network before the emergency connecting with people who know you and know that you could need their help both during a emergency and later while you recover my mom always says that the squeaky wheel gets the oil and in my experience, she is right if you find yourself in an emergency situation and need help or support, don't be afraid to ask if you feel like you haven't been heard , keep asking as you research this topic.

In fact, I was surprised. because of how little senior-specific information there was when preparing for emergencies, so I want to know what you think, if we missed anything or if you have any additional advice for seniors preparing for emergencies, let us know in the comments, we hope that you found this. The video is helpful if you have questions or concerns and would like to speak with a professional, please contact us at hello totalprepair.ca or by phone at 1-888-832-1733 if you would like to purchase emergency preparedness information. supplies or read other preparation resources, visit us online at totalprepair.ca.

Thank you so much for watching and remember, be prepared, don't be afraid, take care of yourself.