Posted on 06/30/2009 2:20:23 PM PDT by ChocChipCookie
Sometimes a Survival Mom has to look around to see who might need some extra help in an emergency. Young children, invalids, and the elderly are especially vulnerable during tumultuous times. In 1995, I was in Chicago during one of their biggest and deadliest heat waves ever. Of the 600+ people who died, most were elderly. I remember thinking, "Why didn't their families or neighbors check on them and help?"
Who in your life is elderly and/or sickly and might need some help during an emergency? A game plan needs to be put in order right away to provide a sense of security for everyone involved. I've put together this list of tips and suggestions to make sure that your Grandma is looked after, no matter what might happen.
NOTE: To make my job easier as a writer, I'm going to refer to the elderly person in your life as "Grandma". No offense to Grandpa, Aunt Beryl or your neighbor, Zelda!
1. What medications is Grandma taking? Is it possible to get an additional 30-day supply? A reserve of life-saving medications should be a top priority. If something needs to be kept refrigerated, that should be noted and planned for.
2. Make a list of each medication, the dosage, the doctor who prescribed it, and the name, address, and phone number of the pharmacy. Give a copy to Grandma and another family member or two, and keep a copy for yourself. This would be a good thing to have in your Grab-n-Go Binder.
3. What doctors does she see on a regular basis? Make a list of their names, specialties, addresses and fax and phone numbers. While you're at it, make a copy of her Medicare and health insurance cards in case she's ever incapacitated and you're the one making medical decisions. Again, give her a copy and keep one in your Grab-n-Go Binder.
4. Does Grandma have someone designated with power of attorney? If so, that document should be readily available and up to date.
5. What routine could be established so you're certain of her well-being each morning? With a neighbor, it could be a specific window blind being opened each morning or a morning phone call at a certain time each day could provide that reassurance.
6. Is there medical equipment she relies on? In an evacuation situation, would that equipment fit in your vehicle or hers'? Help her make a plan for evacuation that includes assistance from family members in the area. Check out Organize to Evacuate for a comprehensive, helpful plan.
7. If Grandma is a neighbor or family friend, make a point of meeting her family members, even if it's just a phone conversation. Get their names, addresses and phone numbers. In an emergency, it might be important for you to know who to contact.
8. Put together a simple 72 Kit for her, including one she can keep in her vehicle, if she drives. Be sure to add items unique to her needs, such as a list of her doctors and medications, an extra pair of eyeglasses, and a light sweater.
9. If Grandma has a pet, talk with her about how she'll care for it in an evacuation situation. Read my article, Evacuation Time? Don't forget your pets, for some practical tips.
10. Electrical outages can be frightening to anybody. Make sure Grandma not only has candles, matches, and flashlights on hand but that she also knows exactly where to find them.
11. None of us would want to leave behind cherished photos and heirlooms. Help Grandma put these together in one container that can be packed up quickly. Make sure other family members know its' whereabouts. Particularly valuable items should be kept in a safety deposit box.
12. Put yourself in Grandma's place. In a crisis situation with events changing by the moment, what would you need for reassurance? When my grandmother became ill shortly before her death, it seemed like even the smallest changes in her routine were monumental to her. (I'm kind of like that now!) What else can you think of that will not only give her a sense of security but a plan of action as well?
Survival Moms tend to be very busy with multiple irons in the fire. Having an elderly family member can add to the stress of our everyday lives, much less during a disaster or emergency of some sort. By all means, include other concerned people in your planning. Nobody's Grandma or Grandpa should be forgotten and left behind in a crisis.
Sweet post. Thanks for sharing.
for your ping list. I hope it provides food for thought and some practical ideas.
Whoops! For YOUR ping list! I hope it provides food for thought and some practical ideas.
Good info. I don’t worry about my in-laws too much. My brothers in-law are rugged and resourceful and can get the folks out if needed.
I worry about my boys, daughter and grand-daughter though. It’s about an eight mile hike to their house. No matter what happens they know Dad will get to them one way or the other as soon as I can.
Self Reliant/Survivalist ping list
I had four male members of my family teach me woodlore ... last thing I had to do was make my own ghillie suit. My uncle and bro’s found me several times but on the last outing they didn’t and I was able to sneak up on them! Took me better part of the day to do it ....
Our “grandma person” is nearby but is too stubborn for most of that but last time went out with us when we had to evacuate. It’s a start.
Excellent article. I have an 80 year old mother-in-law that is going to be pleased that I read it.
Even if she’s reluctant to leave, perhaps you can convince her of the need to prepare.
There’s a lot of security in just being ready.
My Mom’s house is bombproof pretty much and I have a guardian home emergency genset fixed on a pad in back that feeds off her commercial natural gas lines. Automatic start if her power goes out. Only time it will not function is if ice storm or tornadic winds have ripped up trees in her neighborhood that also damaged buried gas lines when then were uprooted per se.....she may have a doosie of a gas bill but she will have power in the heat of the day should such a chicago event be upon her.
I have 2 window type AC units in her home as well as her central air conditioning and really good insulation etc ......
We also installed a 5000w power invertor in her SUV and I showed her how to plug in her window AC unit with an extension cord and use her cars remote start to cool down the home when it got hot and turn it off with the remote when it cools down.
A small wood stove will counter her loss of comfortable temps in the winter. She was a child during the depression and is well aware of what can happen and is ready for it......her pantry and “resupply” is impressive and she gets a 90 day supply of meds. My sister is in same town with her and I am 60 miles away yet her brother and neices live within a block or so .
Deal is to know yer elderly neighbors , family , friends or not and check on em when your power is lost in your neighborhood.
Good read Cookie !
Stay Safe Ya’ll !
Good ideas in general, but from the experience of losing a parent and an in-law in less than 10 months and in the context of planning for an emergency situation, I disagree with “Particularly valuable items should be kept in a safety deposit box.” :(
Depending on the situation, it could be difficult, if not impossible to retrieve the items.
That’s a very good idea. I had thought of saying they should be kept with another family member, but that has its’ drawbacks, too.
Well there’s probably no “one size fits all” solution, but we ended up purchasing portable fire-proof lock boxes that can be grabed at a moment’s notice.
There may be other better solutions, but at this time of night my mind is mush, so I’m off to bed. :)
Don’t forget to put all the information in a big empty medicine container, in the refrigerator.
If there is a need for emergency people to know something and you are not there, they will look in the refrigerator for a “Vial of Life”.
You can order them online at the link below. It is absolutely and totally free with no gimmicks or gotchas.
They will send the Vial of Life with decals you can place on the refrigerator and on your front door. You can even make your own.
Go here for more information:
http://www.vialoflife.com/vial_contents.html
See here for the form with instructions (this is a 4.6meg for those on dial up): http://www.vialoflife.com/vial/images/vial_of_life_form.pdf
Here is their home page:
http://www.vialoflife.com/index.html
See my post at #15.
Good Stuff , Thanks !
.......as well do not forget the ICE on cell phones and speed dial on home phones.
ICE = In Case of Emergency and all EMS / LEO’s and FD personnel look for that also. Under ICE put family members numbers and names as well as good friends and co workers etc .......and Doctors names also !
You know I am so dumb and was trying to remember what we had originally for my Grandmother, who turned 99 today.
the In Case of Emergency is the on we had before but, we switched to the Vial of Life because of the free stickers and stuff.
Thanks for the reminder.
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