mcaas: Emergency Preparedness Information for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities

Montgomery County, PA

P.O. Box 311, Norristown, PA 19404-0311
Courthouse Hours: 8:30a.m. to 4:15p.m.
Phone: 610-278-3000
Website: www.montcopa.org

Emergency Preparedness Information for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities
Personal emergency readiness is a priority for everyone, including older and disabled persons and their caregivers. Emergencies can happen quickly and often without warning, but you and your family can prepare now to handle a crisis situation by considering some basic advice:
 
Be Informed…Have a Plan…Prepare…Maintain an Emergency Kit  
  • Create an Individual/Family Disaster Plan
    • Develop a personal support network of friends, family members,
      and neighbors, and then discuss planning with all in your network
    • Plan should be written and accessible
    • Make copies of the plan for all parties 
    • Meet with neighbors to inform of any special needs (mobility, hearing, eyesight)
    • Designate an out-of-state friend as a “family contact” for after the disaster 
    • Learn your community’s warning signals – how they sound and what to do 
    • Consider buying a medical alert bracelet for a disabled family member, in case of separation from family members 
    • Pick two (2) places to meet: outside the home and outside the neighborhood 
    • Plan how to take care of pets 
    • Keep the plan, a list of emergency contacts, and other important papers in a Waterproof Container 
  • Organize and Maintain Emergency Supplies 
    • Water – one (1) gallon per day, per person for three (3) days 
    • Food – non-perishable, no cooking required for three (3) days per person 
    • First Aid Kit – one (1) for the house, one (1) for the car 
    • Clothing & Bedding – one (1) change of clothing, footwear, blanket/sleeping bag 
    • Tools & Supplies – flashlight, batteries, b/o radio, manual can opener, keys 
    • Special Needs Items – Extra Medication, Eyeglasses, Incontinency and Sanitation Supplies, Other special health equipment, Insurance Information 
    • Cash/Traveler’s Checks/credit card 
    • Supplies should be readily accessible and available 
  • Prepare an Evacuation Kit
    • Assemble an easy to carry container (waterproof) with Water, Food, First Aid Kit, Clothing & Bedding, Tools & Supplies, Special Needs Items, and a copy of your emergency plan.
For more information on emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities and special needs, contact your local Red Cross or go online at www.redcross.org for a special brochure. FEMA has a booklet available at www.fema.gov/areyouready, and www.nod.org/emergency also has information on disaster readiness for persons with disabilities.