Many parts of India are reeling under flood. Any Disaster natural or man-made, can put everyone in their path at risk. Whether it is fire, flood, earthquake, or storm. You have to keep yourself prepared for it, to increase your chances of survival. Senior persons are more vulnerable considering any special needs or limitations in physical mobility. This is the utmost reason, why it is all the more important to take steps to prepare for an emergency beforehand. Here are a few tips that can help seniors and their caregivers stay prepared for a disaster.
Make a Medical Plan
In the event of a disaster, you may not have immediate access to a medical facility or even a pharmacy. If you or your loved ones take medication or receive regular medical treatment such as dialysis, chemotherapy, or even physiotherapy-talk to your doctor about an emergency backup plan. Keep an up-to-date file of the medical history including doctors’ prescriptions and dosages. Ensure there is a copy of the same within your disaster kit and that a family member or a good friend has a copy too. Also, ensure you have a first aid kit handy and maintain a stock of medicines that you may need regularly.
Prepare a disaster Kit
In case you have to evacuate or are trapped without any medical assistance, a disaster kit can be a lifesaver. The idea behind the kit is to have enough supplies to be comfortable and safe until emergency services can provide assistance. Ensure there is food and water to last for at least 72 hours. Use a handy bag to store items necessary for specific needs, such as eyeglasses, glucometer, hearing aid batteries, and more. Also, keep a copy of important documents such as ID cards, health insurance cards, medical records, and contact information of your family and friends. Throwing in some cash is also a great idea, as in some disasters, it may not be feasible to go to the bank or ATM to withdraw money.
Prepare Your Home
While it may not be possible to prepare your home for every probable disaster, there are definitely some general changes and improvements that can be incorporated to help mitigate the damage at some level. Think about all that could go wrong when a disaster strikes and plan accordingly. If you are worried about a fire breaking out in your home, ensure that you have a smoke detector and a fire extinguisher in your home. If you live in a flood-prone area, ensure that all your electrical components are elevated, and your walls are water-resistant. If you or your loved one relies on electricity for health reasons, have a generator or inverter as a power backup in case of outages.
Get Insured
A disaster can end up destroying the home that you have so lovingly built and/or leave you medically compromised. With an effective insurance strategy in place, you can recover and bounce back from disaster without straining your bank balance. Insurance can also help compensate for any lost earnings due to disaster. If you own a home, getting it insured is the first step. So, even if a fire or a flood ravages your house, you are covered. Before getting a policy, please read the fine print and pay special attention to liability coverage.
Plan for an Evacuation
When a disaster strikes, there are times you may have to evacuate your home. In such cases, one needs to be prepared for the same. If you or your loved ones have mobility issues or need assistance to move around, it is important to identify a friend, neighbor, or family member who will be responsible for transportation. Also, keep contact information for emergency services handy so that you can reach out to them for more information on evacuation procedures.
While the above-mentioned measures will ensure you are prepared when disaster strikes, staying calm is also crucial. In case of an earthquake, take cover under a heavy table or bed if you are indoors, and stay away from windows and cabinets that can topple over. If you are outside, stay out of the way of tall buildings and trees. During floods, disconnect all electric appliances and if there is time, move your essentials to higher ground. In case of fire, shut of the gas and place a wet towel under the door if you are trapped inside to contain the smoke.
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Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
18th July 2023