Orders to evacuate before a strong hurricane hits can be especially difficult on the elderly. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other disaster relief agencies say planning is essential to effective evacuation and reassuring elderly family members, friends and others in the community.
Instructions
1. Talk to the elderly family members, friends or people in the community for whom you are responsible well before hurricane season begins. Make sure they know you are taking care of them in case a storm looms.
2. Devise an evacuation plan before the hurricane season begins, preferably in May or early June. The plan contains checklists of phone calls to make and all phone numbers, items to pack, shelters in the community and destinations outside the community. Agencies such as FEMA and the Red Cross have disaster plan advice.
3. Review the evacuation plan with the elderly people for whom you are responsible. Solicit feedback. Include a decision point on evacuation.
4. Make a hurricane evacuation kit. Put duplicate prescription items and extra clothing in the kit, along with any other personal items the elderly person needs for at least one week.
5. Put the plan into action when the evacuation is ordered or suggested. Give elderly as much notice as possible, and do it in person, if possible. Stay calm. Keep panic and urgency out of your voice, but insist that this is the time to leave.
6. Check room at shelters before leaving. Local emergency planning officials designate shelters to accommodate as many people as possible in a geographic location, but sometimes they get more than anticipated. Know your destination is viable before evacuation.
7. Transport the elderly, remembering the kit with special items. Add any other personal items deemed necessary, and try to accommodate precious possessions as space allows.
8. Monitor news and advice from disaster organizations such as FEMA, the Red Cross and local authorities. Prepare to change plans and destinations, if necessary. Follow directions from the authorities at all times.
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