Developing a Comprehensive Emergency Plan for Older Adults' Well-being

This assignment presents a comprehensive emergency plan designed specifically for older adults. It begins by outlining the importance of preparedness, emphasizing the surprising lack of plans among this demographic. The plan covers essential elements such as community hazard assessments, family communication strategies, and establishing an out-of-town contact. It details the creation of personal contact lists, including emergency services and meeting locations. The assignment further provides guidance on escape routes, safe places, and utility procedures. A critical component is the disaster supplies kit, listing basic needs like water, non-perishable food, and first aid supplies, along with additional items for cold climates and vehicles. The plan also addresses maintaining the emergency plan through regular reviews, drills, and restocking of supplies. It provides instructions for sheltering in place or evacuating, including communication protocols and pet arrangements. The document references studies highlighting the lack of preparedness and the benefits of emergency plans, such as increased security, cost-effectiveness, and reduced mental health risks. The assignment concludes by emphasizing the value of proactive planning in safeguarding the lives and property of older adults, especially those living independently.

Emergency Plan for
An Older Adult
Presented by:

Objective: To help in the creation of a
personal emergency plan and
contacts.
Contents:
 Sample Emergency Plan & contacts
 Surprising Need
 Significance of emergency plan for
single older adults
Emergency Plan for An Older
Adult

1) Get informed of the basics
2) Make a plan
3) Assemble disaster
supplies kit
4) Maintain the plan (American Red
Cross, n.d.)
Creation of Personal Plan &
Contacts

Community Hazard Assessment
 Earthquakes
 Flooding
 Home fires
 Tornadoes
 Wildfires
 Winter storms
 Thunderstorms
1. Get Informed of the
Basics

Community Disaster Plans
 There exists community response plans,
evacuation plans and selected emergency
shelters (1 km away).
Community warning systems
 Local weather radio station is used by the local
authorities to warn in case of a disaster
Assistance programs
 The community has special assistance programs
for the disable adults who have registered with
the local fire and police department (CDC, 2018).
1. Get Informed of the
Basics..

Family Communications Plan
 Carry family contact information in the
wallet
Select an “Out-of-Town” Contact
 A close friend-James King: located out of
town consented to the contact person
Decision on the Meeting Point
 Sameers: a local restaurant, 500 meters
from the house
2. Make a plan

Complete Communication Plan
Family members:
1. Ellen Fish (Daughter)- [phone]
2. Evans Gould (Brother) – [phone]
Community Emergency Response Team
3. Henrick White – [phone]
4. Derick Rose – [phone]
Out-of-town contact
5. James King – [phone]
Meeting location
6. Sameers Restaurant – 500 meters from my house
Emergency services
7. Hazard response team (1-800- 222-1222)
2. Make a plan…

Escape Routes and Safe Places
 Incase of fire outbreak or other hazards,
immediate evacuation is recommended
 Draw floor plans of the house using a blank sheet;
◦ Indicate location of major exists, disaster supplies kit,
alarms etc.
◦ Practice evacuation drills twice a year and update the
escape plan accordingly
 Plan for the pets;
◦ Can be hosted by friends or relatives since its not
allowed in public shelter for purposes of health
(Al-Rousan, Rubenstein, & Wallace, 2014).
2. Make a plan…

Utilities
 Consult appropriate utility company on the
emergency procedures such turning off
water, electricity switches and gas.
Alarms: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
 Regular test of all alarms
Insurance Coverage
 Consult with the responsible insurance
agent for appropriate coverage
2. Make a plan…

Reduce Home Hazards
 Engage expert repair for defective gas leakages
and electrical wiring
 Heavy, large objects to be placed on lower
shelves, and do not hand photos near beds
 Repair cracks in foundations and ceilings
 Store away flammable items away from heat
sources
 Use straps to tightly hold tall cabinets, mirrors
to wall studs
(Tuohy, Stephens, & Johnston, 2014).
2. Make a plan…

Basic Needs and Supplies
 Water- 1 gallon each day for 3 days
 Nonperishable food for 3 days
 Flashlight with additional batteries
 Medications-1 week & medical items
 First aid kit and manual
 Multi-purpose tool
 Matches in waterproof container
 Sanitation and personal hygiene items (toilet paper,
hand sanitizer, plastic garbage bags)
(Annis, Jacoby, & DeMers, 2016).
3. Assemble Disaster Supplies
Kit

Basic Needs and Supplies
 Whistle
 Copies of personal documents (deeds/lease agreements,
insurance policies, birth certificates)
 Additional clothing and blankets
 Emergency contacts of family and friends
 Mobile phone with extra battery and charger
 Manual can opener
 Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils
 Pet supplies
 Extra pairs of keys
 Map of local area
(Heagele, 2016).
3. Assemble Disaster Supplies
Kit..

Cold Climate Supplies
 Jacket/coat
 Sturdy shoes
 Sleeping bag
 Long sleeve shirt and long pants
Vehicle Supplies
 First aid kit and manual
 Tire repair kit
 Maps
 Jumper cables
 Bottled water
 White distress flag
(Eisenman et al., 2014)
3. Assemble Disaster Supplies
Kit..

 Plan to be reviewed semi-annually
 Drill: Carry out fire and emergency
evacuation drills on a routine basis
 Restock: Check on perishable items and
replace accordingly twice a year
 Test: recharge the fire extinguisher by
following the labelled instructions. Replace
after 10 years
◦ Test smoke alarms and replace yearly
(Lock, Fansler, & Webb, 2016).
4. Maintain the Emergency Plan

 Sheltering in place against staying at
home
◦ Stay where you are as long as you are much safer
until instructed to evacuate by the emergency
personnel.
◦ Listen to radio or television emergency messages
and respond accordingly
 In case of evacuation:
◦ communicate with family member or home care
provider for procedures on evacuation
◦ Put on appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes
(Banks, 2013).
If Disaster Strikes;

◦ Grab your emergency bag
◦ Lock the house
◦ Use the recommended travel routes
 Public shelters:
◦ Arrive at the public shelter and inform the
administration of any needs
◦ Notify the out-of-town contact person of our
current status
◦ Organize for the arrangements of the pet(s)
(Cefalu, 2014).
If Disaster Strikes;…

 Maps of the local area
 Whistle
 Extra set of keys for the car, house etc.
 One gallon of water per individual
 First aid kit and manual
 Three day supply of non-perishable foods
 Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils
(CDC, 2012)
Needs that got the OA by
surprise

 Whitney, Visker, Haithcox-Dennis, and DeWeese (2012)
carried out a study to examine independently living
older adults in upcountry regarding their knowledge,
attitudes and conduct on emergency preparedness.
◦ 56% had no emergency plan, 33% had no bottled
water or first aid kit and manual in the house
 Lockhart (2015) found out that there was a
significant difference between perceived
preparedness and actual preparedness among
older adults. The use of an individual
emergency plan was effective in addressing the
variance
Needs that got the OA by
surprise..

 Personal emergency plans increases the
resiliency of individuals and communities
and minimize the risk of poor outcomes.
 Emergency plans are cost effective and
efficient especially for the economically
vulnerable individuals (Lam et al., 2017).
 Emergency plans increases personal sense
of security and peace of mind to be aware
of the course of action to take in case of a
disaster (Onuma, Shin, & Managi,2017).
Importance of Emergency Plan
for OA living Independently

 Emergency plan ensures of continuity in routine
life activities (Loke, Lai, & Fung, 2012).
 Emergency preparedness in the form of an
emergency plan reduces the risk of mental health
disorders that are common among the elderly
◦ Lack of preparedness creates a mental concept of a potential risk of
negative impacts or loss, thus making the OA to be depressed
 Emergency plans saves time, life and even
property especially for older adults living
independently and who may not have access to
immediate help from relatives
(Thomas, Leander-Griffith, Harp, & Cioffi, 2015).
Importance of Emergency Plan
for OA living Independently…

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American Red Cross. (n.d.). Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors. Retrieved from
https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Disaster_Preparedness_for_Srs-English.revised_7-09.pdf
Annis, H., Jacoby, I., & DeMers, G. (2016). Disaster preparedness among active duty personnel, retirees, veterans, and dependents. Prehospital and disaster medicine, 31(2), 132-
140.
Banks, L. (2013). Caring for elderly adults during disasters: improving health outcomes and recovery. Southern Medical Association, 94-99. DOI: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e31827c5157
CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). (2018). Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/features/older-adult-emergency/index.html
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References