My dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer about 4 years ago. Because bladder cancer has a high rate of reoccurrence, he has regular three-month check-ups. Before each check-up, he says: “I’m hoping for the best, but prepared for the worst.”
I guess that’s the best way to view a potential disaster: We hope it won’t happen, but we’ll be prepared, just in case. And, for family caregivers responsible for others with chronic illnesses, the importance of preparing is especially critical.
The Red Cross has great information on its web site to help you plan in the event of natural disasters (tornado, winter storm, hurricane) and other disasters (terrorism). The site suggest on you can create a disaster plan and disaster supplies kit. In addition to checklists and tip sheets to help you prepare, the site also includes suggestions for those with special needs and concerns. To learn more, visit here: http://www.redcross.org/
Consider creating a disaster supply kit for each member of your family, especially a separate one for your care recipient. In case your care recipient must be moved without you, it’s also a good idea to include caregiving instructions in your care recipient’s disaster supply kit. With those instructions, others who step in to provide care in your place have the needed information to provide the necessary care.
The Red Cross, in addition to sponsoring first aid and CPR training, has created a special training program for family caregivers. The course offers information on home safety, hands-on care and caring for persons with Alzheimer’s. Contact your local Red Cross chapter to learn about upcoming courses in your community.
It’s also important to know about your community’s options, for instance, if you and your care recipient must evacuate. To learn about the location of shelters for persons with special needs, contact your local government office, your local Area Agency on Aging, senior center, Alzheimer’s Association chapter, adult day center and Red Cross chapter. Be sure that you describe your current (and, perhaps, expected future) caregiving situation, as well as your concerns, to organizations that you contact. Find out your community’s recommendations for actions that you and your care recipient, as well as other family members, may need to take in case of emergency.
If your care recipient resides in a facility, be sure to check with the facility’s management as to evacuation plans and other plans in case of an emergency. Ask management for a copy of the disaster preparedness plans, how often drills occur and how staff are trained to handle disasters and emergencies. For instance, if a major snowstorm hits, how will the facility provide care if staff can’t make it to work?
It may seem implausible that you’ll need to implement your disaster preparedness plan. I sure hope you won’t. But, just in case, be prepared.
Other resources:
National Organization on Disability: http://www.nod.org/
MSN Money: http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Banking/FinancialPrivacy/P47665.asp
MedlinePlus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/disastersandemergencypreparedness.html
