Special Feature
Prepare for Emergencies Especially Elderly and Disabled
By Carol Forsloff
The hurricane season is beginning, and experts say to be prepared. They stress
that the elderly and disabled should be especially prepared because crises impact
them greatly. A lesson from Hurricane Katrina means having a plan in place now.
Dr. Jeff Kalina, Director of Emergency Medicine with the Methodist Hospital in
Houston, declares it is important to know what to do before an emergency rather
than in the middle of it. He accents the need to care for those who can’t care for
themselves and to organize information and a plan so that there are no delays. In
addition he gives specific recommendations.
Given the fact the hurricane season brought devastation to Galveston last year,
those who live in coastal areas must be especially watchful, experts say. A
number of organizations and websites have lists of recommendations to help
people make plans for emergencies and disasters, that can be helpful.
In 2005 I was a Red Cross volunteer at a shelter in Natchitoches, Louisiana. I
observed many people came unprepared to Natchitoches. Some lack medications
and simple comfort items, so churches and individuals in the community helped
provide them. I was particularly concerned with the fact there were people with
physical and mental handicaps who didn't have proper medication and other
resources. Dr. Kalina emphasizes the importance particularly of these individuals
receiving attention before an emergency so that they are not left helpless later. As
someone who has been on the front lines of helping, I observed how essential it
is, as Dr. Kalina says, to have that plan in place for crisis.
So given these issues what does Dr. Kalina recommend?. He says one of the most
important things to do is to have extra refills of medications on hand. Drugstores
may not always be available for close to during emergencies. It's also important
for individuals to keep lists other medical problems and the medications you're
taking. This is part of that plan coming advises people should have. Furthermore
he emphasizes that in travel deals and we should ride in the front rather than in
the back where they are exposed to heat that can cause additional fiscal
problems. Furthermore during long drives, even during traffic stalls, give folks an
opportunity to stretch their legs and walk if they can. Long periods of being
sedentary can lead to other problems.
Dr. Kalina goes on to say that folks should have a plan to physically assist the
elderly and those with disabilities during emergencies like Hurricane Katrina,
including who will be responsible for driving and picking up the person in need.
Anyone who has mobility problems and stairs at a house where there may be
problems with transport, should have a portable ramp available. Comfort items
are also important, not just essentials like battery-operated radios and flashlights.
Jeff Kalina also maintains it's important to have plenty of water on hand because
the of the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion.
FEMA has specific information for folks available on the agency website to help
people make advance plans. In addition to Kalina’s recommendations, the federal
agency recommends arranging for meeting places, turning off utilities, and
making sure there is enough gas in the car to get somewhere safe.
Hurricane season begins during the month of June and extends until November.
Those who live in critical areas, especially in the city of New Orleans and the
coastlines, may find special problems in the event storms are particularly strong.
As an advance warning, experts found the levees surrounding New Orleans are
insufficient to protect the city from a severe storm again. The Army Corps of
Engineers has said the additional strengthening of the levees, particularly after
the events of 2005, would not be completed until 2011. Even so experts say the
level of planning and preparation at the present time is not enough to protect the
city from special storm risk. A plan in place, especially for the elderly and the
disabled, can help prevent the kind of problems that happened during Hurricane
Katrina, according to experts.
Federal officials, physicians and emergency personnel declare it's best to be
prepared early especially if you have people who are physically or mentally
challenged and in need of special help. So this is the time to put a plan in place. If
you are a senior, or a family with a senior or person with mental health or
physical challenges the plan must be individualized to specific needs, otherwise
the emergency will be a far greater emergency than it needs to be..
By Carol Forsloff
The hurricane season is beginning, and experts say to be prepared. They stress
that the elderly and disabled should be especially prepared because crises impact
them greatly. A lesson from Hurricane Katrina means having a plan in place now.
Dr. Jeff Kalina, Director of Emergency Medicine with the Methodist Hospital in
Houston, declares it is important to know what to do before an emergency rather
than in the middle of it. He accents the need to care for those who can’t care for
themselves and to organize information and a plan so that there are no delays. In
addition he gives specific recommendations.
Given the fact the hurricane season brought devastation to Galveston last year,
those who live in coastal areas must be especially watchful, experts say. A
number of organizations and websites have lists of recommendations to help
people make plans for emergencies and disasters, that can be helpful.
In 2005 I was a Red Cross volunteer at a shelter in Natchitoches, Louisiana. I
observed many people came unprepared to Natchitoches. Some lack medications
and simple comfort items, so churches and individuals in the community helped
provide them. I was particularly concerned with the fact there were people with
physical and mental handicaps who didn't have proper medication and other
resources. Dr. Kalina emphasizes the importance particularly of these individuals
receiving attention before an emergency so that they are not left helpless later. As
someone who has been on the front lines of helping, I observed how essential it
is, as Dr. Kalina says, to have that plan in place for crisis.
So given these issues what does Dr. Kalina recommend?. He says one of the most
important things to do is to have extra refills of medications on hand. Drugstores
may not always be available for close to during emergencies. It's also important
for individuals to keep lists other medical problems and the medications you're
taking. This is part of that plan coming advises people should have. Furthermore
he emphasizes that in travel deals and we should ride in the front rather than in
the back where they are exposed to heat that can cause additional fiscal
problems. Furthermore during long drives, even during traffic stalls, give folks an
opportunity to stretch their legs and walk if they can. Long periods of being
sedentary can lead to other problems.
Dr. Kalina goes on to say that folks should have a plan to physically assist the
elderly and those with disabilities during emergencies like Hurricane Katrina,
including who will be responsible for driving and picking up the person in need.
Anyone who has mobility problems and stairs at a house where there may be
problems with transport, should have a portable ramp available. Comfort items
are also important, not just essentials like battery-operated radios and flashlights.
Jeff Kalina also maintains it's important to have plenty of water on hand because
the of the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion.
FEMA has specific information for folks available on the agency website to help
people make advance plans. In addition to Kalina’s recommendations, the federal
agency recommends arranging for meeting places, turning off utilities, and
making sure there is enough gas in the car to get somewhere safe.
Hurricane season begins during the month of June and extends until November.
Those who live in critical areas, especially in the city of New Orleans and the
coastlines, may find special problems in the event storms are particularly strong.
As an advance warning, experts found the levees surrounding New Orleans are
insufficient to protect the city from a severe storm again. The Army Corps of
Engineers has said the additional strengthening of the levees, particularly after
the events of 2005, would not be completed until 2011. Even so experts say the
level of planning and preparation at the present time is not enough to protect the
city from special storm risk. A plan in place, especially for the elderly and the
disabled, can help prevent the kind of problems that happened during Hurricane
Katrina, according to experts.
Federal officials, physicians and emergency personnel declare it's best to be
prepared early especially if you have people who are physically or mentally
challenged and in need of special help. So this is the time to put a plan in place. If
you are a senior, or a family with a senior or person with mental health or
physical challenges the plan must be individualized to specific needs, otherwise
the emergency will be a far greater emergency than it needs to be..