In case of emergency, it pays to be ready 

As a caregiver, you know how important it is to plan ahead. The same is true when it comes to emergencies—perhaps even more so.

Many things can cause an emergency… snowstorms, hurricanes, industrial or transportation accidents. Yet no matter the reason, when an emergency happens, it causes a great deal of inconvenience, disruption, stress, and anxiety. Being prepared can help make the situation more manageable.

This post outlines much of what goes into making emergency preparations, and it’s a lot—especially if you’re putting together plans for you and your loved one. In fact, it may feel like it’s too much to add to your plate right now. But consider this: being prepared can be a big stress reliever. Because, as all caregivers know, peace of mind is very important.

Here are some things to consider doing—for yourself and your loved one—to be able to weather most emergency situations. For more information about all aspects of emergency preparedness, see the list of websites below.

Learn where to get and set up alerts

The faster you learn about an emergency, the more quickly you can respond. Here are the ways you can get emergency notifications:

• Broadcasts on television and radio stations. TV and radio stations (cable and satellite included) will use the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to broadcast emergency information from authorities. EAS is used for weather emergencies, national security threats, and other critical situations. Please note that streaming services don’t typically include emergency notifications.
• Cell phone alerts. There are several ways to receive alerts on your cell phone:
• Get automatic Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). WEAs are short emergency messages, such as AMBER alerts or alerts about national or severe weather emergencies, that are sent to cell phones in a specific area. Most smartphones are WEA capable, but older phones may not be. Your phone must be set up to receive these alerts (usually done in the phone’s settings). Contact your wireless carrier for more information.
• Use an app. Several options are available that provide real-time alerts for a variety of weather-related and other emergencies. The FEMA app and the American Red Cross Emergency App, for example, allow you to set up alerts for multiple locations, which is handy if you don’t live in the same area as your loved one. These and several other apps are free to download and use.
• Sign up for the emergency notification service used by your city or town. Cities and towns may use a notification service that you can sign up for to receive alerts by phone, text, email, and/or social media. You may be able to sign up for an alert for an area that you don’t live in.
• Follow official social media accounts for local, state, and national emergency authorities. Then turn on notifications for these specific accounts.

Have an emergency kit

For any type of emergency—whether you’ll be waiting it out at home or if you must leave the area—having an emergency kit ready will save time and ease your mind. Here are several things it should include:

• Supplies of water, non-perishable foods that are easy to open and ready to eat, any foods for special medical purposes, and necessary medications to last at least few days
• Well-insulated coolers and cold packs to help protect temperature-sensitive medications
• An information file that includes:
• List of known allergies (especially to foods and medications) and any dietary restrictions
• List of current medications and dosages
• Information about any necessary medical devices
• Medical consent and power of attorney forms
• A list of emergency contacts, starting with you and your loved one’s primary care provider (see next section for more details)
• Copies of your loved one’s identification and insurance cards, birth certificate, and any other important documents
• A first-aid kit, including face masks and hand sanitizer
• A flashlight and a small radio
• Batteries and/or chargers for cell phones, radios, flashlights, and any necessary medical devices, such as oxygen tanks or hearing aids
• Personal hygiene products such as soap and toothpaste
• Extra clothing and shoes—including outerwear—that are appropriate for the season 
• For any service animals, have a supply of their food and medications, as well as any veterinary record.

Keep the information file and medications in something that will protect them from fire or water damage. And be sure to check your emergency kit every few months to make sure the information is up-to-date, and the supplies are fresh and ready to use.

Establish emergency contacts

Emergencies can happen at any time, and you may not be nearby to help your loved one when needed. So, being able to rely on others is helpful. 

Create a list of emergency contacts—people you and your loved one trust—who can step in to help if you’re unable to. Include the following information for each person:

1. Full name
2. Relationship to your loved one, such as family, close friend, neighbor, health care provider
3. Where they live and/or work, noting those who are nearest
4. Phone number and address

Include yourself on this list and indicate that you’re the main contact. Then list the order in which the others should be called if you’re unable to help or can’t be reached. Make sure everyone on the list has a copy. Also, keep an updated paper copy in the emergency kit, and store the same information in your and your loved one’s cell phones. 

For those who can step in if needed, make sure they also have a key or passcode to your loved one’s home.

Have an evacuation plan

Some emergency situations may call for you or your loved one to move to a safer place temporarily. Having to evacuate can be upsetting, but there are ways to help make the process as smooth as possible.

• Have a “go bag” ready. Many items in the emergency kit should be included, such as the information file, current medications, non-perishable food and water, and necessary medical equipment.
• Know what the town/community disaster plans are, including emergency evacuation routes and the locations of nearby emergency shelters. Contact your city or town’s Emergency Management Department for details (many have them posted on their websites).
• Make arrangements to relocate to the home of a family member or friend, in case it’s a safe alternative.
• Know what transportation options are available in case driving isn’t an option. 
• If your loved one requires medical care or transport, contact your local emergency medical services (EMS) about where you can find that support.
• Include any service animals and/or pets in the plan.
• If you or your loved one need to evacuate, tell your closest neighbors. Turn on the tracking app on your and their smartphones to stay updated on each other’s locations.

Know the typical weather issues for the area

Weather is a frequent cause of emergency situations. Even though weather patterns are changing, it may help to know what kind of dangerous weather has happened before, when, and how it affected the area. 

For example, does heavy snow usually happen in early or late winter? When it does snow, does it often cause power outages? If so, for how long typically? Does the area deal with flooding in the spring? This type of information will guide you as you set up a plan.

If you’re unfamiliar with the area, you can learn what the local risks are by visiting FEMA’s online National Risk Index at hazards.fema.gov/nri.

What to do after your plans are made

Once you’ve made these important preparations, share them with your loved one. Sharing this information can help them feel even more cared for than they already do and will help put their mind at ease.

And if your loved one participates in an adult day health program, or receives home health services, you may want to connect with program administrators. Knowing what their emergency plans are—and sharing yours with them—will be helpful. 

For more information 

Visit these websites for more information about emergency preparedness:

• Ready.gov (FEMA—Federal Emergency Management Agency)
• Redcross.org/get-help (Red Cross)
• mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-emergency-management-agency (MEMA—Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency)

Posted: October 2024