Most people are not prepared for a natural disaster or catastrophic emergency. Seniors are usually less prepared than most folks. They often do not live in their own homes and probably do not have a contingency plan of where they will go and how they will get there if there is an earthquake, hurricane or flood. Adult children should take some time to discuss the subject with their senior parents, home health care providers, siblings and other family members to devise an emergency plan. There are different types of scenarios for seniors depending on their living situations. Some live at home alone or with their senior spouse; some live at an assisted living facility; others live with a family member or have regular senior care companions or health caregivers who are with them daily.
Home Alone
For seniors that live alone, either together or by themselves, the idea of a natural disaster striking leaves a lot of room for questions and planning. Where will the senior parent or parents go if their home is destroyed or unavailable for a period of time. It may require someone to pick them up. They may need special transportation if they cannot walk, use oxygen or have special health conditions. A plan should be made for which family member will take care of them if they are hurt and need medical attention. If they currently use the services of an at home health care agency, make sure that the adult children have a contact name and number. The homecare aides should have knowledge of the plan and be able to assist as needed if they are present.
Assisted Living
Most people automatically assume that nursing homes, hospitals and other types of assisted living facilities will take care of all of their residents if there is an earthquake or hurricane. After Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, many seniors were abandoned and left behind by staff due to poor planning on the part of the facilities. Adult children should ask their parent's facility what the contingency plans are for emergencies. A specific contact number and person should be established, as well as a back-up plan. One of the family members should be the designated contact person. Someone in the family should take responsibility for transport and a plan made for where they will stay if their current place is not in livable condition.
Living With Family
The easiest situation is when everyone in the family is in the same place at the same time. This eliminates the question of who will be available to transport the senior parent from one place to another. In the event of a natural disaster, all family members will need to keep in contact with each other and should go elsewhere together. A plan for when different people are at work or at school should be considered. If home is destroyed, finding a safe place for everyone to stay temporarily will likely involve a friend of the family member's house or perhaps a hotel. A back-up plan should also consider who will be the primary caretaker of the senior should something happen to alter the current arrangement. Another consideration is if they are injured, where they will go and who will look after them.
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