Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts learn as kids to always be prepared. These early lessons in life can be important later in our senior years when the unexpected happens.

Especially when it comes to the unpredictability of the weather.

One aspect of caregiving many seniors and their in-home caregivers may not think about until it’s too late is natural disaster preparedness. The warm weather months, especially in the Midwest, can be breeding ground for dangerous lightning, thunder and wind storms, flash floods, and even deadly tornadoes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the more aware people make themselves aware of severe weather events impacting their area, the more likely they will survive a catastrophe.

“You should obtain the latest weather information from commercial TV/radio, cable TV, the internet/web, and newspapers,” says the NOAA, in its Severe Weather Safety Tips. “It’s your responsibility.”

Before severe weather strikes, the NOAA suggests sitting down to develop a disaster plan with caregivers at home using existing resources available for the general public. One valuable resource the NOAA recommends is the American Red Cross, which provides planning tips and information on building disaster supplies kits at: http://www.redcross.org.
To stay safe and save lives, the NOAA also advises people should:

• Identify a safe place to take shelter. Information on how to build a Safe Room in the home is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at: https://www.fema.gov/safe-rooms
• Know the county/parish in which you live or visit – and in what part of that county you are located. The National Weather Service issues severe weather warnings on a county/parish basis, or for a portion of a county/parish.
• Keep a highway map nearby to follow storm movement from weather bulletins.
• Have a NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards receiver unit with a warning alarm tone and battery back-up to receive warning bulletins.
• National Weather Service (NWS) watches and warnings are also available on the Internet. Select a local NWS office at: http://www.weather.gov/organization.php or go to the to the NWS Home Page at http://www.nws.noaa.gov
• Listen to commercial radio or television/cable TV for weather information.
• Watch for signs of approaching storms.
• Don’t forget about pets and farm animals.

“Seniors in particular may need to be prepared for an emergency, especially with the threat of power outages and the loss of air conditioning when it’s hot outside as well as landline telephone and cellular services,” says Great Care Founder and CEO Julie Sullivan. “Our caregivers help families recognize the difficulty in going out for necessary supplies during severe weather events, so it’s always nice to have a plan for their loved ones.”

Sullivan suggests seniors take precaution by stocking up on food and fresh water, batteries, candles, flashlights, Sterno fuel, extra blankets and battery-operated radios. For seniors living alone with in-home caregivers providing routine check-ins, a buddy system with neighbors, friends and loved ones also helps.

“Also make sure transportation will be provided in the event of an emergency, and ensure that if a Meals on Wheels program is being utilized, it will still be operating,” she says.

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.