Assignment 3 HCMN 413 – Services and Housing for the Long-Term Care Consumer This Assignment is due in the Assignment 3 Dropbox by Sunday, November 8, 2015 at 11:59pm Emergency Preparedness Plan for Older Adults (or adults with disabilities) Using guidelines from the US Government website, www.ready.gov, please complete a 3 part Emergency Preparedness plan for an older adult (you can use the same individual that you used for your Home Fit assessment) or an adult over age 21 with disabilities. Please make sure to identify the individual that you have prepared this plan for (name, age, sex, geographical location) Part I: Emergency Supplies Kit Using the Ready.gov guidelines (see the 2 page PDF flyer from FEMA on emergency preparedness for older adults), prepare an emergency supplies kit for your older adult, and answer the following questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. How many supplies did the adult have on hand that could be used in the kit? Does the adult have an adequate supply of water and food that would last for 72 hours? Did the individual already have a list of medications that they take? Did you have to prepare one for them – if so, what kind of conversation did you have with them about this item? What type of emergency documents did you include in the kit (think of the type of identification and other cards that someone would need in the event of a disaster or an evacuation)? Does this older adult have a mobile phone? Do they use it and keep it charged in case of an emergency? If not, why not? Does the adult have a pet(s)? If so, what type of supplies were set aside for these family members? Does the adult use any type of assistive technology? Do they have a battery backup, and do they keep this charged? Were there any other items you included in this kit that were not on this list – why were they included? Was there any other information included in the kit that would be needed to take care of this individual due to their disabilities? Part II: Make an Emergency Plan Using the Ready.gov guidelines, prepare an emergency plan for this older adult or adult with disabilities, and answer the following questions: 8. 9. 10. 11. Describe the personal support network for this older adult/adult with disabilities. What is this individual’s family or friends communication plan in case of an emergency? If this adult has pets, what plans have been made for them? Does the adult understand the differences between staying put (shelter-in-place) and leaving (evacuation) in case of an emergency? Do they understand what an evacuation is, and how to plan for it? 12. Does the adult have a list of emergency telephone numbers, including contact information for the local emergency management office? Do they know about ready.gov and its telephone number (1-800-BE-READY) 13. Does the adult have a fire safety plan (do they check their smoke alarms annually, can they easily leave their home). If the adult has their bedroom on the second floor, have they made plans for evacuation in case power is lost for their home? 14. Has the adult registered with any organizations such as their utility company, their local Area Agency on Aging or ADRC as an individual needing assistance in the event of an emergency or disaster? Part III: Comment (2-3 sentences) on what you learned from this Assignment. Do you have an EP plan – why or why not? 4 Get Involved In addition to your personal preparedness, consider getting involved in neighborhood and community emergency preparedness activities. Assist emergency planners and others in considering the preparedness needs of the whole community, including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. Communities are stronger and more resilient when everyone joins the team. People with disabilities often have experience in adapting and problem solving that can be very useful skills in emergencies. To find out more about potential volunteering and emergency response training opportunities, go to http://www.ready.gov/volunteer. Prepare for Emergencies Now: Information for People with Disabilities Prepare for Emergencies Now: Information for People with Disabilities. Your ability to recover from an emergency tomorrow may depend on the planning and preparation you do today. This guide provides tips which individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, and the people who assist and support them, can take to prepare for emergencies before they happen. This information was developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in consultation with AARP, the American Red Cross and the National Organization on Disability and updated by the FEMA Office of Disability Integration and Coordination.. 1 Be Informed It is important to know what types of emergencies are likely to affect your region. For more information about specific types of emergencies, visit www.ready.gov/be-informed. FEMA R-6 Catalog No. 0977-4 www.ready.gov Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene. Above all, stay calm, be patient and think before you act. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. 2 Make a Communications Plan A disaster can interfere with your ability to communicate with your family, friends and coworkers. It is vital to have backup plans for staying in touch with your support network, and for your network to be aware of where you will shelter or evacuate. Create a Personal Support Network Everyone should make a list of family, friends and others who will be part of your plan. Include a relative or friend in another area who would not be affected by the same emergency, and who can help if needed. Make sure everyone knows how you plan to evacuate your home, school or workplace, and where you will go in case of a disaster. Make sure that someone in your personal support network has an extra key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency supplies. Teach them how to use any lifesaving equipment or medicine in case of an emergency. If you use a wheelchair, oxygen or other medical equipment, show friends how to use these devices so they can move you or help you evacuate. Practice your plan with your personal support network. If you undergo routine treatments at a clinic or hospital, or if you receive regular services at home such as home health care, meals, oxygen, or door-to-door transportation, talk to your service provider about their emergency plans. Work with them to identify back-up service providers within your area and the areas you might evacuate to. If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity to operate, talk to your health care provider about a back-up plan for its use during a power outage. Create a Personal Support Network (con’t) Talk to your employer and co-workers about the assistance you might need in an emergency. This is particularly important if you need to be lifted or carried. Talk about any communication difficulties, physical limitations, equipment instructions and medication procedures that might arise during an emergency. Always participate in exercises, trainings and emergency drills offered by your employer or in your community. Develop a Family Communications Plan Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in different situations. For more information on how to develop a family communications plan, visit http://www.ready.gov/ family-communications. Deciding to Stay or Evacuate Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first important decision is whether to stay or go. You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and available information to determine if there is immediate danger. In any emergency, local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should monitor television, radio, Internet, or social media news reports for information or official instructions as they become available. If you’re specifically told to evacuate or seek medical treatment, do so immediately. If you require additional travel time or need transportation assistance, consider ways you might make these arrangements in advance. Staying Put Whether you are at home or elsewhere, there may be situations when it’s simply best to stay where you are and avoid any uncertainty outside. Consider what you can do to safely shelter-in-place alone or with friends, family or neighbors. Also consider how a shelter designated for the public would meet your needs. Work with local emergency managers and others in your community on preparing shelters in advance to meet access and functional needs (go to www.fema.gov/about/odic to learn more about functional needs support services in general population shelters). If you have options and decide to stay put and shelter in place, consider that you may be without electricity, phone service and accessible roads for days or longer. Evacuation There may be situations in which you decide to leave, or are ordered to leave. Plan how you will get away and anticipate where you will go. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency. Ask about evacuation plans at the places where you spend time including work, school, community organizations, and other places you frequent. If you typically rely on elevators, work with others to develop back-up plans for evacuation in case they are not working. When traveling, consider alerting hotel or motel workers if you will need help in a disaster situation. Keep your equipment with you in an evacuation, if at all possible. If you must leave your wheelchair, bring your cushion. Consider Your Service Animal and Pets Whether you decide to stay put or evacuate, you will need to make plans in advance for your service animal and pets. Keep in mind that what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your animals. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if you can. However, if you go to a public shelter, it is important to remember that by law only service animals must be allowed inside. Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your animals. For more information about service animal/ pet preparedness, visit http://www.ready.gov/ animals. Fire Safety Plan two ways out of every room in case of fire. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures, or overhead lights that could fall and block an escape path. For more fire safety tips, go to http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/disability/. Contact Your Local Emergency Information Management Office Some local emergency management offices maintain registries for people with disabilities. Some registries are only used to collect planning information; others may be used to offer assistance in emergencies. If you add your name and information to a registry, be sure you understand what you can expect. Be aware that a registry is NEVER a substitute for personal preparedness. Even if the registry may be linked to first responders, assistance may not be available for hours or days after a disaster. Contact your local emergency management agency to see if these services exist where you live, or visit www.ready.gov/ to find links to government offices in your area. 3 Build an Emergency Kit The reality of a disaster situation is that you will likely not have access to everyday conveniences. To plan in advance, think through the details of your everyday life. You should include the following in your planning: Basic Supplies Think first about survival basics - food, water, first aid, and tools. Plan to make it on your own for at least three days. Consider two kits. In one kit put everything you will need to stay where you are and make it on your own for a period of time. The other kit should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you have to leave your home. For more information on what should go into a basic kit, please refer to www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit. The second step is to consider how an emergency might affect your individual needs. During emergencies, you may not have access to disaster assistance, a medical facility or even a drugstore. It is crucial that you and your family think about what kinds of resources you use on a daily basis, and what you might do if those resources are limited or not available. Include Important Documents in Your Kit Include copies of important documents in your kit, such as family records, medical records, wills, deeds, social security number, charge and bank account information, and tax records. Also be sure you have cash or travelers checks in your kits in case you need to purchase supplies. It is best to keep these documents in a waterproof container. If there is any information related to operating equipment or life-saving devices that you rely on, include those in your emergency kit as well. Also make sure that a trusted friend or family member has a copy of these documents. Include the names and numbers of everyone in your personal support network, as well as your medical and disability service providers. If you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information includes instructions for the best way to communicate with you. Even if you do not use a computer yourself, consider putting important information onto a portable thumb drive for easy transport in an evacuation. Finances Signing up for direct deposit or the Direct Express card is a simple but important step that can help protect your family’s access to funds in case an emergency happens. If you or those close to you are still receiving Social Security or other federal benefits by check, please consider switching to one of these safer, easier options today. wArrange electronic payments for your paycheck and federal benefits. wThe Direct Express® prepaid debit card is designed as a safe and easy alternative to paper checks for people who don’t have a bank account. Sign up is easy, call toll-free at (877) 212-9991 (phone), (866) 569-0447 (TTY) or sign up online at www.USDirectExpress.com. Depending on your needs, additional items for your Go Kit might include: wCopies of medical prescriptions, doctors’ orders, and the style and serial numbers of the assistive devices you use wAt least a week’s supply of any medication or medical supplies you use regularly, or as much as you can keep on hand wMedical alert tags or bracelets or written descriptions of your disability and support needs, in case you are unable to describe the situation in an emergency wMedical insurance cards, Medicare/Medicaid cards, physician contact information, list of your allergies and health history. wA list of the local non-profit or communitybased organizations that know you or assist people with access and functional needs similar to yours. wExtra eyeglasses; backup supplies for any visual aids you use wExtra batteries for hearing aids; extra hearing aids if you have them (or if you have insurance coverage for them) wBattery chargers for motorized wheelchairs, or other battery-operated medical/assistive technology devices wSupplies for your service animal. You can find more tips at http://www.ready.gov/animals wA laminated personal communication board, if you might need assistance with being understood or understanding others wIf you use a motorized wheelchair, have a light weight manual chair available for emergencies. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported. wIf you have allergies or chemical sensitivities, be sure to include items that you are able to use for personal hygiene and for cleanup. 3 1 Get a Kit Be Informed Of Emergency Supplies Some Of The Things You Can Do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an emergency supply kit and making an emergency plan are the same regardless of the type of emergency. However, it’s important to stay informed about what might happen and know what types of emergencies are likely to affect your region. For more information about specific types of emergencies, visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY. Preparing Makes Sense for Older Americans. Get Ready Now. The likelihood that you and your family will Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene. Above all, stay calm, be patient and think before you act. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. prepare for all kinds of emergencies from fires w Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation depends on the planning and preparation done today. While each person’s abilities and needs www.ready.gov This information was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in consultation with AARP, the American Red Cross and the National Organization on Disability. are unique, every individual can take steps to Basic Supplies: Think first about the basics for survival – food, water, clean air and any lifesustaining items you require. Consider two kits. In one kit put everything you will need to stay where you are and make it on your own for a period of time. The other kit should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you have to leave your home. Recommended basic emergency supplies include: recover from an emergency tomorrow often Prepare For Emergencies Now. Information For Older Americans. Prepare For Emergencies Now: Information For Older Americans. and floods to potential terrorist attacks. By evaluating your own personal needs and making an emergency plan that fits those needs, you and your loved ones can be better prepared. w Flashlight and extra batteries This guide outlines commonsense measures w First aid kit emergencies before they happen. Preparing makes sense for older Americans. FEMA R-5 w Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and a can opener if kit contains canned food w Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both older Americans can take to start preparing for www.ready.gov The first step is to consider how an emergency might affect your individual needs. Plan to make it on your own, for at least three days. It’s possible that you will not have access to a medical facility or even a drugstore. It is crucial that you and your family think about what kinds of resources you use on a daily basis and what you might do if those resources are limited or not available. Get Ready Now. w Whistle to signal for help w Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place w Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation w Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities w Local maps w Pet food, extra water and supplies for your pet or service animal Include Medications and Medical Supplies: If you take medicine or use a medical treatment on a daily basis, be sure you have what you need on hand to make it on your own for at least a week. You should also keep a copy of your prescriptions as well as dosage or treatment information. If it is not possible to have a week-long supply of medicines and supplies, keep as much as possible on hand and talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what else you should do to prepare. If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital or if you receive regular services such as home health care, treatment or transportation, talk to your service provider about their emergency plans. Work with them to identify back-up service providers within your area and the areas you might evacuate to. If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity to operate, talk to your health care provider about what you can do to prepare for its use during a power outage. Additional Items: In addition, there may be other things specific to your personal needs that you should also have on hand. If you use eyeglasses, hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, wheelchair batteries, and oxygen, be sure you always have extras in your home. Also have copies of your medical insurance, Medicare and Medicaid cards readily available. Include Emergency Documents: Include copies of important documents in your emergency supply kits such as family records, wills, power of attorney documents, deeds, social security numbers, credit card and bank information, and tax records. It is best to keep these documents in a waterproof container. Include the names and numbers of everyone in your personal support network, as well as your medical providers. Also be sure you have cash or travelers checks in your kits in case you need to purchase supplies. 2 Make a Plan For What You Will Do in an Emergency The reality of a disaster situation is that you will likely not have access to everyday conveniences. To plan in advance, think through the details of your everyday life. If there are people who assist you on a daily basis, list who they are, and how you will contact them in an emergency. Create your own personal support network by identifying others who will help you in an emergency. Think about what modes of transportation you use and what alternative modes could serve as back-ups. If you require handicap accessible transportation be sure your alternatives are also accessible. For every aspect of your daily routine, plan an alternative procedure. Make a plan and write it down. Keep a copy of your plan in your emergency supply kits and a list of important information and contacts in your wallet. Share your plan with your family, friends, care providers and others in your personal support network. Create a Personal Support Network: If you anticipate needing assistance during a disaster, make a list of family, friends and others who will be part of your plan. Talk to these people and ask them to be part of your support network. Share each aspect of your emergency plan with everyone in your group, including a friend or relative in another area who would not be impacted by the same emergency who can help if necessary. Make sure everyone knows how you plan to evacuate your home or workplace and where you will go in case of a disaster. Make sure that someone in your personal support network has an extra key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency supplies. Practice your plan with those who have agreed to be part of your personal support network. Develop a Family Communications Plan: Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in different situations. Consider a plan where each family member calls, or e-mails, the same friend or relative in the event of an emergency. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact, not in the impacted area, may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. You may have trouble getting through, or the phone system may be down altogether, but be patient. For more information on how to develop a family communications plan visit www.ready.gov. Deciding to Stay or Go: Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first important decision is whether you stay or go. You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use commonsense and available information to determine if there is immediate danger. In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should monitor television or radio news reports for information or official instructions as they become available. If you’re specifically told to evacuate or seek medical treatment, do so immediately. If you require additional travel time or need transportation assistance, make these arrangements in advance. Consider Your Pets: Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets and service animals. Keep in mind that what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your animals. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you, if possible. However, if you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that only service animals may be allowed inside. Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets; consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area, pet-friendly shelters and veterinarians who would be willing to take in you and your pets in an emergency. For more information about pet preparedness, visit www.ready.gov. Staying Put: Whether you are at home or elsewhere, there may be situations when it’s simply best to stay where you are and avoid any uncertainty outside. Consider what you can do to safely shelter-in-place alone or with friends, family or neighbors. Also consider how a shelter designated for the public would meet your needs. There could be times when you will need to stay put and create a barrier between yourself and potentially contaminated air outside. This process is known as “sealing the room.” Use available information to assess the situation. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you may want to take this kind of action. For more information about “sealing the room,” visit www.ready.gov. Evacuation: There may be conditions in which you will decide to get away, or there may be situations when you may be ordered to leave. Plan how you will get away and anticipate where you will go. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency. Ask about evacuation plans at the places where you spend time including work, community organizations and other places you frequent. If you typically rely on elevators, have a back-up plan in case they are not working. Fire Safety: Plan two ways out of every room in case of fire. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures, or overhead lights that could fall and block an escape path. Check hallways, stairwells, doorways, windows and other areas for hazards that may keep you from safely leaving a building during an emergency. Secure or remove furniture and objects that may block your path. If there are aspects of preparing your home or workplace that you are not able to do yourself, enlist the help of your personal support network. Contact Your Local Emergency Information Management Office: Some local emergency management offices maintain registers of older people so they can be located and assisted quickly in a disaster. Contact your local emergency management agency to see if these services exist where you live or visit www.ready.gov to find links to government offices in your area.