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Many older adults may face challenges during a disaster such as mobility challenges, lack of transportation, and lack of proper equipment or supplies in the case of an emergency. Other barriers such as poor vision and cognitive challenges can put older adults in a vulnerable position once disaster strikes. This is why it is important to create effective disaster plans that address both the general and emergency health needs for older adults.
Many older adults may face challenges during a disaster such as mobility challenges, lack of transportation, and lack of proper equipment or supplies in the case of an emergency. Other barriers such as poor vision and cognitive challenges can put older adults in a vulnerable position once disaster strikes. This is why it is important to create effective disaster plans that address both the general and emergency health needs for older adults.
Preparing for Evacuation
Preparing for Evacuation
FINAL EVACUATION + SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS.pdfKey Points
Key Points
Keep support items like wheelchairs and walkers in a designated place so they can be found quickly once there is an evacuation alert
Check your disaster supplies kit or emergency bag to ensure all content is inside and replace any items if necessary
Explain your concerns to your family and others in your support network and work with them as a team to prepare
While planning your evacuation plan, think about what barriers, limitations, and personal abilities can affect your response to disaster and work with your support network to address these challenges
Make sure your escape route is wheelchair or walker accessible for those who use adaptive equipment and free of environmental barriers (clutter on the floor)
Practice your escape drill every 6 months and try doing it in different conditions such as at night time, with family members or caregivers, and by yourself
When evacuating, use the travel routes specified or special assistance provided by local officials
Considerations
Considerations
Older adults may have special needs that need to be met in a disaster environment. There are many considerations that they need to think about before, during, and after a disaster. Here are some crucial questions and topics to talk about with older adults in preparation for an evacuation plan.
Older adults may have special needs that need to be met in a disaster environment. There are many considerations that they need to think about before, during, and after a disaster. Here are some crucial questions and topics to talk about with older adults in preparation for an evacuation plan.
Daily Activities
Daily Activities
Think about activities of daily living and personal care. Do I need assistance with any daily living activities such as bathing, eating, and dressing?
Answer: Have the older adults consult with family members or caregivers about how to best plan for daily living activities when they are separated from close ones or have to go to a evacuation shelter.
Adaptive Equipment
Adaptive Equipment
Do I have any adaptive devices or equipment that depend on electricity such as dialysis or an electrical lift? If so, do I leave it at home during an evacuation?
Answer: Consult with the case manager, nurse, therapist and primary care doctor for the best way to prepare for an emergency since they can do a thorough environment check and understand the older adult's condition. If possible, have a backup power supply that they can take with them.
For communication, some older adults wear hearing aids or use a augmentative communication device (ACD). If the devices or aids don't work, how will I call or summon for help?
Answer: For ACDs, direct the older adults to contact their vendor and have a specialist guide them how to summon for help in case an emergency happens. For hearing devices, have the older adults discuss a plan with their audiologists.
During Evacuation
During Evacuation
How will I cope with debris in your home and along the evacuation route?
Answer: Have them consult with the case manager, nurse, therapist and primary care doctor on how to best protect themselves in case they run into barriers and obstacles along the evacuation route. An evacuation drill is recommended every 6 months.
Can I reach for and activate an alarm?
Answer: Have them discuss with family members, caregivers, doctors, and therapists to see what alternatives there are to not being able to reach for or activate an alarm that's far away from the older adult. Consider adaptive equipment or assistive technology such as a portable emergency necklace or bracelet.
Will I be able to evacuate independently without visual or auditory cues?
Answer: Have the older adults consult with their doctors and therapists to see if they need modifications to their devices or any visual cues in the environment to help them. For example, they may need glow in the dark contrast tape or a fire alarm with strobing lights and/or vibrating pads.
Do I need help to evacuate my home?
Answer: Have the older adults consult with family members or caregivers about how to safely evacuate from the home. Address any barriers, limitations, and personal abilities that can prevent them from evacuating.
What will be the plan if I can't find my walker or other mobility aids? What if the ramp access is obstructed?
Answer: Advise the older adults to keep support items like wheelchairs and walkers in a designated place so they can be found quickly. Have the older adults consult with their doctors and therapists to discuss what to do when the ramp is obstructed.
References
References
Noakes, P. (2010). Emergency preparedness and personal evacuation planning: Involvement of Occupational Therapists. https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=ms_occ_therapy
American Red Cross. (2004). Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs. https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/General_Preparedness___Recovery/Home/A4497.pdf
Blink. (2020). Emergency Evacuation for People With Disabilities. https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/emergencies/preparedness/get-ready/disabilities.html#Know-how-to-help-people-with-lo
American Red Cross. (n.d.) Disaster Preparedness For Seniors By Seniors. https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Disaster_Preparedness_for_Srs-English.revised_7-09.pdf
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