If your senior parent is living alone, hopefully, they will never experience an emergency that could turn dangerous. But chances are that at some point, they may experience an emergency. A bad storm, a power outage, a house fire, or even a medical emergency or fall could happen. You should do what you can to make sure that your senior parent has what they need to get through an emergency. The best way to protect your senior parent in an emergency is to make sure they have 24-hour home care services.
If your senior parent has 24-hour home care someone will always be in the home with them to help them in an emergency. No matter what kind of emergency might happen, your senior parent won’t have to face it alone if they have 24-hour home care.
In addition to getting 24-hour home care, some good ways to prepare your senior parent for an emergency are:
Pack an Easy-to-Grab Hospital Bag
One of the best ways to prepare is by packing a “go bag” that your parent can grab in case they need to go to the hospital or leave home quickly. This bag should be easy to find and light enough for someone to carry.
It should include:
- A change of clothes and underwear
- Slippers or comfortable shoes
- A phone charger
- A list of emergency contacts
- Copies of important documents (like ID, insurance card, and medical history)
- A written list of medications and allergies
Having this bag ready saves time and reduces stress during an emergency.
Set Up an Emergency Contact List
Make a clear list of emergency contacts for your parent. Include names and phone numbers of family members, close friends, doctors, and neighbors who can help.
Post the list in a spot that’s easy to see, like on the fridge or next to the phone. You can also program these numbers into their cell phone or a speed-dial system so they don’t have to remember them in a rush.
Make the Home Emergency-Ready
Go through the house and look for ways to make it safer in case of an emergency.
Here are some ideas:
- Put flashlights in every room in case the power goes out
- Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working
- Keep a small first aid kit in an easy-to-reach place
- Store extra water and non-perishable food for power outages
- Make sure they can easily open windows or doors if they need to get out
Also, keep walkways clear of clutter to prevent falls and help emergency workers get through the home if needed.
Practice What to Do in an Emergency
Talk with your parent about different kinds of emergencies and what they should do.
Go over things like:
- When to call 911
- Where the emergency bag is
- What to do if they smell smoke or hear the smoke alarm
- Who to call if they feel sick or dizzy
Practice these steps together so they feel confident and prepared, not scared or unsure.
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care Services in Northampton, PA, please get in touch with 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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