Seniors who are living alone need to be prepared for all kinds of extreme weather. Heat, storms, power outages, and other emergencies can put seniors at risk if they are not prepared. One of the best things that you can do to help your senior mom or dad get prepared for extreme weather is to make sure they have assistance from home care providers.
Home care helps seniors who want to age in place be safe and comfortable at home. A home care provider can help your mom or dad with housework, running errands, shopping, cooking meals, and other tasks. And if your senior parent has home care and an emergency happens someone will be there with them to make sure they are safe.
In addition to having elder care, seniors should also have these things to make sure that they will be ok during extreme weather or a power outage:
Emergency Kit
An emergency kit should include essentials like water, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Your senior parent’s emergency kit should also include their doctor’s information and a list of any medication that they take.
Backup Power Source
Consider a backup power source like a generator or a portable battery pack to keep essential medical equipment running and charge phones and other devices. A solar or battery-operated phone charger should be with the emergency supplies so that your senior parent and their elder care provider will be able to charge their devices if necessary.
Warm Clothing and Blankets
In case of cold weather and a power outage, ensure there are plenty of warm clothing layers, blankets, and sleeping bags to maintain body heat. Boot warmers and hand warmers should be kept with emergency clothing and blankets, as well as a battery-operated heater.
Cooling Items
For hot weather, have items like battery-powered fans, cooling towers, and ice packs ready to help manage body temperature if the air conditioning fails. It’s also a good idea to have some light clothing made of natural fibers like cotton or linen and light cotton socks packed away for your senior parent.
Communication Devices
Keep a charged cell phone and a list of emergency contacts readily available. Your senior parent should also have a NOAA-approved weather radio in case they can’t get weather alerts. You may want to consider walkie-talkies or a satellite phone if your senior parent has serious health conditions. That way it will always be possible for them or their care provider to reach you and reach out to emergency medical services if needed.
Medications and Medical Supplies
Ensure there is an adequate supply of all necessary medications and medical supplies. Keep a list of prescriptions and dosages in the emergency kit. It’s very important to have essential medication set aside because in an emergency your senior parent may not be able to grab their medications.
Water and Food Supplies
Store at least a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food that doesn’t require cooking or refrigeration. Protein bars and shakes are great items to have along with bottled water.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Schnecksville PA please contact the caring staff at Extended Family Care Allentown today. Call 610-432-6766
Extended Family Care Allentown is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Allentown, Pennsylvania including Bethlehem, Easton, Emmaus, Macungie, Whitehall, Schnecksville, Catasauqua, Northampton, and Nazareth.
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