| Living along the Gulf of Mexico, on the west coast of | | | | comfortable |
| Florida, | | | | lawn chair, snack items, special diet items. |
| we become concerned with Hurricane season | | | | 8) Cash in small bills and coins. |
| starting about | | | | 9) Flashlight with plenty of extra batteries.Plans for |
| this time every year.In lieu of the past two seasons | | | | pets must be made --most shelters do not accept |
| with | | | | pets. Those that do require that the pet be in a pet |
| devastating storms we are especially | | | | carrier. |
| concerned.People frequently think about one type of | | | | Pet food, collar, leash, and shot record must |
| disaster like | | | | accompany the pet.As you can see, this is not |
| hurricanes--however there are numerous other | | | | something most frail elderly can |
| possiblities | | | | manage by themselves. It is imperative that someone |
| that might require evacuation--tornadoes,fire, floods, | | | | be |
| gas | | | | assigned to assist in establishing the plan, gathering all |
| leaks, earthquakes, extreme heat, power | | | | the |
| outages,chemical | | | | necessities, having them ready at all times, packing |
| or biological agents, and wind.As a Nurse working in | | | | and |
| the field of eldercare, in a Private | | | | transporting the elder to the shelter.If your parent tells |
| Duty Home Health Agency, we are required by law | | | | you that they have a plan ask them where |
| to | | | | they will be going (so you can check.) |
| ensure that our clients have a workable evacuation | | | | Many frail elderly think they have things under control |
| plan. | | | | but |
| Each plan must be updated annually or anytime clients' | | | | when you look further you will see that most of their |
| | | | plan is |
| circumstances change.This is a challenging | | | | based on old information--such as |
| responsibility especially with some of | | | | 1)" I am going with Mable( neighbor ) to her |
| the Frail Elderly. There are two groups of the Frail | | | | daughters" -- only to discover that the daughter |
| Elderly that really present a problem. One is those that | | | | does not live here any more. |
| require some help at home to ensure that they are | | | | 2) "My condo has their own plan for everybody"--only |
| placed | | | | to find out that they have told your mother that she |
| in a shelter that is able to meet their needs.The | | | | requires more care than the condo will assume, |
| second group | | | | however she has forgotten. |
| are those that are still alert enough to express their | | | | 3) "the condo manager is going to take me to the |
| needs | | | | shelter"-- |
| and wants, however, they are at a stage where they | | | | only to find out that the manager is away for a month |
| frequently make irrational decisions for | | | | or |
| themselves.This is the the most challenging group to | | | | the manager is not going to do the packing.For the |
| get to see the | | | | elderly that will be staying home during bad weather |
| need for any planning.They think they are still able to | | | | the following important ADDITIONAL items will be |
| do their own medications even | | | | needed: |
| when shown the mistakes that they are making. | | | | 1) Water - one gallon per/day per person. Do not |
| They talk to solicitors on the phone and frequently | | | | forget to |
| allow them | | | | include the caregiver if applicable. |
| into their home. | | | | 2) Several flashlights placed throughout the home |
| They are unable to comprehend the symptoms of | | | | with several extra batteries. |
| illness and | | | | Be sure you remove any candles from the home so |
| often deny them. | | | | they |
| Frequently they cancel doctor visits because they | | | | will not be used.3) A hand operated can opener |
| "forgot" | | | | 4) Plastic bags,twist ties,tape. |
| that they are not feeling well. | | | | 5) Battery operated radio with extra batteries. |
| They ignore warnings of impending dangers such as | | | | 6) Paper towels,wet wipes for personsal use. |
| hurricanes,tornadoes, etc. | | | | 7) Non-perishable foods--Tuna,peanut butter,jelly, |
| They cannot foresee the reality of being without | | | | canned fruit,canned meat,crackers,Special Diet Needs |
| electricity | | | | !!If your elderly family member is too frail to go to a |
| or water for days.IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME-- | | | | shelter |
| is a common belief .Making emergency plans for this | | | | then they must apply with the county Emergency |
| group is almost an art or, | | | | Management Department to be evacuated to a |
| at least requires a lot of prayer.Things needed for | | | | special |
| evacuation:1) Vital data records- | | | | needs shelter or area nursing home. BUT you must |
| name,address,telephone number of the elder | | | | register now --not during an emergency. Once |
| name,address,telephone number of the doctor | | | | registered, |
| name and number of emergency contacts-family | | | | the county will call your family member before |
| name and number of caregiver or private duty | | | | evacuation to give them a pick up time--THEY MUST |
| agency | | | | BE |
| name,telephone number of pharmacy | | | | READY--Emergency workers are not going to |
| 2) Complete Updated Medication list-- we maintain this | | | | pack.Again, if you do not live in the same town as your |
| list for our clients. | | | | frail |
| 3) Health history records.These forms are available in | | | | elderly parent, please make sure someone is |
| "Assisting Your Elderly Parents"4) Medications for at | | | | assuming |
| least three days. | | | | the responsibility for all that getting ready entails.If I |
| 5) Clothes for at least three days. | | | | may be of any assistance in caring for your elder |
| 6) Equipment and supplies--such as | | | | family member, please do not hesitate to contact |
| Oxygen , Wheelchair , walker , incontinent supplies, | | | | me.Dedicated To Eldercare |
| personal | | | | Nurse Alice |
| toiletry items.7) Most shelters only provide a cot--the | | | | Endy is a Registered Nurse with certification in |
| following items must be | | | | in Gerontology. Alice has spent her entire nursing |
| taken to the shelter--sheets, pillows, blanket, a | | | | career in the care of the elderly. |