Consider Special Needs
During an emergency, seniors and individuals with special needs must be considered when creating a household plan and emergency survival kit.
Mobility
- If you or a family member have difficulty moving quickly and easily, make sure your neighbours are aware and that you have someone who can check in during an emergency.
- Develop a support network with several people who will continue to follow up with you following an emergency.
Medication & Medical Supplies
- Keep a separate supply of at least 7 days worth of any medication or critical medical supplies, such as oxygen.
- If you rely on electric medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, ventilators and oxygen compressors, talk to your medical supply company about getting batteries or a generator as a back up power source.
Care
- During an emergency, personal care attendants may not be able to make it to their patients. Make sure you have made arrangements with caregivers and/or are familiar with your personal care agencies emergency policy
- If you have a service animal, make sure that it has a registered tag.
Additions to the Emergency Survival Kit and Go Bag:
- Extra mobility aids, including a manual wheelchair (Car batteries may be used to run an electric wheelchair)
- Whistle to signal for help
- Necessary medications and supplies
- Special sanitary needs
- Important medical phone numbers
- Food that meets specialized dietary needs
- Make a list of your medications, medical conditions, insurance information, allergies, and have your insurance cards available. Keep one copy with you at all times, and give the other copy to someone else for safekeeping.