In September 2018, we witnessed the power of Hurricane Florence. It caused 53 deaths and almost $17 billion dollars of damage.
Although the Carolinas suffered the most that time, Florida has 9 out of 10 of the most hurricane-prone cities in the United States. All the states around the Gulf of Mexico (and also Hawaii) are prone to hurricanes, and people should always be prepared for sudden danger.
What does it mean for caregivers?
There is a list of items you need to have by your side when a hurricane strikes. We will go through them in this article and give you some additional tips.
Where to Go
Should I go to the hospital with my older adult or to a shelter?
This will depend on their condition. If their disease is severe, they may be sent to a hospital until the storm ceases.
In other cases, you can go to a shelter. Bunches of new people, and the situation as a whole, can make your loved one anxious, so don’t lose them from your sight.
There are even special needs shelters you can register for.
What to Bring
First and foremost: medications. Don’t go without them, even if you go to a special needs shelter or the hospital. Wherever you go, the amount of medications will probably be limited, and the last thing you want is to run out of them.
Prepare a list of medications and dosages in advance. This will help you to pack quickly when a hurricane is on its way.
Depending on your loved one’s condition, you may need to bring diapers, a cane, insulin injections, etc. Make an itemized list in case of an emergency, and be sure to go through it when the time comes.
Food is also something you need to have by your side. You don’t know where you will go and how much time you will stay there. Will meals be provided? You cannot guess.
Canned foods may not be your first choice, but they are helpful in these situations. It is difficult to maintain a diet when in a shelter. So try to have the most appropriate food: beans, tuna, corn, beef, chicken, etc. You can’t take much, so choose foods rich in nutrients.
Always have stacks of canned food somewhere in the house. However, watch the expiration date. Eat them before the food expires and buy new replacements.
Taking a bottle of water is also a good idea, since you can’t predict the situation.
More Tips
Don’t go anywhere without your smartphones and chargers – one for you and one for your older adult. This way you will always be in touch, in case you need to leave them for some time. Luckily (or not), nowadays we all have our iPhones in our pockets all the time, so this won’t be a problem.
Keep all your money and valuables out of sight. Think about investing money in a safety deposit box.
Also, make sure to have the whole medical history of your loved one in one place. This is important if your older adult’s condition gets worse. The whole event may be shocking and cause additional stress and anxiety. Thus make sure you have all the papers you need.
Learn how to prepare a medical history here.
Right now, you don’t need to worry about hurricanes since the season starts in June and lasts until November. However, it is essential to start preparing ahead of time.
Go step by step to see what you need and what the priorities are. Make sure you don’t forget anything. When the time comes, you will be much less stressed.
Images Source: http://unsplash.com
