Senior family members and those handicapped or ill have special needs.
Extra care and patience needs to be given to the elderly and infirm during your hurricane preparation. START PLANNING EARLY.
Many assistance programs need pre-registration. Find out your county’s plans.
Call your County’s Division of Emergency Management and Red Cross to find out if your loved one qualifies for the Special Care Unit. These facilities are staffed by doctors and nurses and have auxiliary power. However, they generally only accept oxygen dependent residents, insulin dependent diabetics who require insulin refrigeration and medical care, patients who are immobile, and patients with chronic but stable illnesses.
You need to have forms filled out by your doctor to qualify.
If you don’t meet the requirements, ask about other alternatives.
Talk to the Red Cross about their shelters for the disabled and about transportation to those sites for those under special circumstances.
Remember to make sure ALL your loved ones medicines, a two weeks supply, are packed in their evacuation bag. WORK with their doctors and pharmacist to make sure nothing is left out.
Keep in mind how difficult it is, not only physically but emotionally, for the elderly and infirm to face an active hurricane season. Talk to them about how they are feeling, be reassuring and comforting. Review the stress relieving techniques in Stop Storm Stress.
Coming soon: articles on how to help the elderly and infirm cope emotionally.
