Emergency Preparedness

Covid-19 is America’s #1 concern right now, as it should be.  AdvoCare Home Care Services echoes that you follow social spacing, frequent hand washing and all other government regulations.  However, we cannot forget that natural disasters have already and will continue to occur.  In this last week Arkansas has had a tornado and Idaho experienced a 6.4 earthquake.  Are you prepared for such a situation?  Even more of a concern arises for caregivers in charge of a senior with either physical and/or mental limitations. What should you do if you are caring for such an individual?

#1 – ask the clients family if they have a plan ready for an emergency

#2 – if no plan – develop one

#3 – determine what emergencies are most likely to occur in your region

#4 – contact state and local agencies for assistance in the planning

#5 – assemble two different emergency bags or boxes, etc.

  1. If you stay in place, have needs for minimum of three days
  2. If you need to go to a shelter, plan needs for 1 week

#6 – develop 2 or 3 different routes to travel if you must evacuate.

#7 – develop an emergency team

  1. Neighbors that can help with transporting
  2. Family members that can be there within minutes
  3. a friend/relative outside of the disaster area that can assist

#8 – get all vital documents together

#9 – give copies of vital documents to law enforcement, care facilities and 1st responders

#10 – if your client has memory issues

  1. make sure client has a I.D. bracelet
  2. make sure all first responders have a recent photo of the client

#11 – make a list of all first responders phone numbers

AdvoCare HCS hopes that you never have to exercise such plans, but encourages everyone to be prepared. For more in depth information contact us at 406.582.5402 or advocarehcs.com.

Stay Safe and Be Well!