When disaster encompasses a community, our elders and the disabled or mobility challenged, are most vulnerable to its wrath, and the decisions made ahead of time can mean the difference between life and death.
According to The Administration for Community Living (ACL), “Older adults and people with disabilities have unique and special needs to consider, especially during a disaster. Each year, more than ten million people receive services under the Older Americans Act,”. They go on to state that delivery of these services largely depends on the efforts of volunteers and others who can plan ahead and do the following:
- Assist at group meal sites and deliver meals to homebound older adults
- Escort and transport older adults to a safer location or to health care services
- Repair and weatherize the homes of low-income and frail older adults
- Counsel in a variety of areas, including health, nutrition, legal matters, and financial concerns
- Serve as long-term care watchdogs to help ensure the safety and well-being of residents in nursing homes, assisted living, and other facilities
ACL advocates across the federal government for older adults, people with disabilities, and families and caregivers. They fund services and support provided primarily by states and networks of community-based programs. And they invest in training, education, research, and innovation. Go to them for assistance in disaster planning, as obviously they have a breadth of support services to offer. In addition, they also manage various programs (authorized by several statutes), providing assistance in the following but not limited to:
- Health and wellness
- Protection of rights
- Abuse prevention
- Consumer control support
- Facilitate action to strengthen networks of community-based organizations
- Fund research, ad infimum.
The National Institute on Aging suggests that while everyone is at risk during a natural weather-related disaster or similar emergency like fire, aging adults are especially vulnerable during these challenging times, and being prepared in advance will literally mean the difference between life and death, particularly for those who may have special medical or mobility needs.
For instance, in my family, we have a forty-two-year-old cousin who is developmentally disabled and completely deaf, with an aging, visually impaired, diabetic mother caring for him. To add to that disadvantage, they live in an area prone to flooding, which unfortunately puts them in the “especially vulnerable” category. So how can they (or should I say “she”) stay prepared and ahead of any potential disasters that could come their way? Let’s look to answer that question next.
Necessary emergency supplies for older adults
Having an emergency preparedness kit at the ready is an essential step to complete for either older adults or the disabled. At a minimum, to plan ahead, a kit should include:
- At least a three-to-six-day supply of medications
- Medical documents
- Legal and other...(to see the complete list, go to)
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