Curious how independent and assisted living seniors navigate emergency preparedness for natural disasters.
For assisted seniors, I understand the caregiver/nurse/assistant living in the house (versus a facility/community) would be the captain of that ship; how is the ship prepared & evacuation practiced? How can neighbors assist?
For independent seniors, living in their own home or in a community, what is the plan? I realize owning & living in a home/condo is different than living in a large community with a residential office & property staff. Curious how independents prepare before the alarm rings. What neighborhood resources do you use? Thank you!
But we took small steps of preparedness that I think made sense: buying and maintaining basic earthquake supplies (dried food, stored water and water purification supplies, etc), battery-powered lanterns and a charged-up power supply for power outages, etc. etc. Fire extinguishers, including one in Dad’s bedroom.
When Mom was enrolled in home hospice the RN asked for a list of facilities to transfer Mom to should she need to be evacuated due to rising water during a storm. I ranked a list of facilities for hospice. (I'd been visiting them)
I can handle steps so I can get into and out of the basement. I practiced with my dog, who has only three legs, so he can come with me to the basement. I put on my bike helmet during tornado warnings when I'm in the basement. If you live in an area with tornadoes, I recommend getting a bike helmet for everyone in your residence. If not for everyone, get a bike helmet for anyone who can't get to a "safe space," such as a basement.
My mom lives in a city about 50 miles away. Although close, it seems to have significantly more storms than where I live. I know that in the past, staff members at the assisted-living facility have moved residents into their bathrooms during bad storms. I don't know whether they still do that.