Elder Care in Hudsonville, MI: For Frail Seniors, Emergency Planning can be Different
The basic standard supplies in the event of an emergency are food, water, and first aid kits. When you have frail seniors, elder care may need to take some additional precautions in their approach to preparing for natural disasters and emergency situations.
For those who have mobility limitations or use a wheelchair, have a plan in place for how the individual will evacuate. You may want to consider having a manual wheelchair backup if the one the elder is using is motorized.
For those who are blind or visually impaired, keep an extra cane next to the bed. Attaching a whistle to the cane will allow them to signal help as to their whereabouts should they not be in a position to evacuate.
Always have spare hearing aid batteries stored with emergency supplies. At night when seniors remove their hearing aid to go to bed, store in a container on the nightstand or attached to the bed post. In the event of an emergency, they can quickly locate the device.
Elderly home care should ensure that seniors know where the first aid kit and emergency supplies are located. Have a communication plan in place of how you will get in touch with one another in case a disaster strikes when you are not together.
It is a good idea in general to have identification somewhere on your elderly loved one at all times. It is important to also have copies of emergency documents, evacuation plans, and any other relevant material that will be helpful in an emergency situation.
Other items that you want to have ready in case of an emergency are:
- Medications for at least 3 days but preferably a week
- Clothing for 3 days
- Important equipment and supplies, such as oxygen, incontinent supplies, toiletry items, walker, etc. Most shelters only provide a cot.
If you have a loved one receiving assistance from a home care agency, be aware of what their policy is for responding to an emergency. Find out how you can contact them to find out the status of your loved one. Have a backup provider in place that you can contact in the event of an emergency situation in which your normal provider can’t respond.
Elder care for a frail senior can be a bit more challenging and require more effort, but taking the necessary precautions ahead of time can turn into a lifesaving event. It is better to be prepared and have nothing happen than to be scrambling at the last minute.
If you or someone you know needs help with elder care in Hudsonville, MI, contact the caregivers at Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
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