Be it a blizzard, a storm, a tornado, a wildfire, a rash or a hurricane, severe weather in Naples, FL is increasingly becoming more rampant with each passing year. It is key to prepare aging adults adequately for difficult weather. common each year. It’s important for aging seniors to be prepared for difficult weather. To this end, this post will show you helpful tips to get aging adults through tough weather seasons.
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Have Communication Plan
Take the time to set up a communication plan with your family. This conversation could happen over tea to take the edge off. Together, weigh in on the possible weather issues in your neighborhood and the hazards that characterize them. Then come up with solutions to those hazards and an action plan to mitigate miscommunication.
- Draw up an Emergency List
Specifically, go over emergency contacts. Ensure that such contacts are distributed and safely stored on every family member’s cell phone and labeled appropriately. Endeavor to add at least one contact that lives outside your state in the event that nearby friends and relatives are unable to render help. Make duplicates of this list as a hard copy and stick it on go-to areas like on the fridge to make it more accessible.
Your emergency list should contain a number labeled, “In case of emergency”. This should be a contact who can direct the caller to other points of contact as well as provide vital information if an emergency occurs. Be sure to teach your loved ones basic communication protocol like how to send a text or email in case phone lines are down.
- Pack a Medical Kit
This kit should contain important information like blood type, allergies, medication, medical reports and other such information. In addition to these, pack up your loved one’s medications, allergy sprays and creams, anti-rash ointment, sanitisers, nose masks, inhalers, and so on.
Set up Weather Alerts
Weather alerts should be set up on you and your loved one’s phones. Receiving these alerts and updates will notify you of happenings and give you real time information. Alerts are also a good way to prepare adequately before severe weather starts. This feature is particularly useful in situations where you live apart from your loved one. A retirement community can provide such updates in addition to periodic reports on your loved one’s well being.
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Make an Evacuation Plan
In addition to creating a communication plan, you should also discuss evacuation options particularly in hurricane season. For aging adults with limited mobility, evacuation can be quite challenging. So, liaise with retirement communities or governmental bodies to help evacuate your loved one if you live apart from them. If you live near your loved one, make arrangements for a shelter that is not too far. In case of rushed evacuation, meet with them rather than call. Remember to make transport arrangements for them and their equipment.
- Stockpile Supplies
This is more of a no-brainer for any kind of emergency situation. Regardless, it begs saying. It is good practice to stockpile supplies way before the severe weather so that you will likely not miss anything – clothing and food inclusive. Not all public shelters cater to people’s individual needs so, have your loved one go with double or even triple of everything they need for the stay.