Emergency Prep

 

Preparing Makes Sense For Older Georgians. Get Ready Now.

Northwest Georgia is susceptible to almost every type of natural and manmade disaster, so it’s critical that all citizens, including seniors and their caregivers, take steps to prepare for the unexpected.

While each person's abilities and needs are unique, every Georgian can prepare for flood, fire, tornado and any other disaster. So what do older Georgians need to do to prepare for emergencies before they happen? Ready Georgia, a campaign from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, recommends taking these steps to getting prepared:

 

Prepare: Get a Kit of Emergency Supplies

The first step is to consider how an emergency might affect your individual needs. Be prepared to make it on your own for at least three days. You may not have access to a medical facility or even a drugstore, so 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. A complete list of basic items to start a Ready kit can be found here.

Additional Items to Include in a Ready Kit:

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.

Keep a copy of your prescriptions as well as dosage or treatment information.

If you use eyeglasses, hearing aids, a wheelchair or oxygen, be sure you always have extras and extra batteries.

Include copies of important documents such as insurance information, family records, medical records, wills, deeds, social security number, bank account information and tax records.

Include information related to operating equipment or life-saving devices that you rely on.

Make sure a trusted friend or family member has a copy of all documents. Include the names and numbers of everyone in your personal support network, as well as your medical providers.

If you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information list notes the best way to communicate with you.

Be sure to have cash or travelers checks in your kit in case you need to purchase supplies.

It is best to keep all documents in a waterproof container.

 

Plan: Make a Plan for What You Will Do in an Emergency

To plan in advance, think through the details of your everyday life. Think of the people who assist you on a daily basis, what modes of transportation you use or what appointments you may have. For every aspect of your daily routine, plan an alternative procedure and write it down.

Create a Personal Support Network:

Make a list of family, friends and others who might be available to assist you during a disaster.

Talk to these people and ask them to be part of your personal support network.

Create a customized communications plan so you will know how to connect with your support network during a disaster.

Share each aspect of your emergency plan with everyone in your network, including a friend or relative in another area who would not be impacted by the same emergency.

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.

 

Stay Informed: Know What Might Happen

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling a Ready kit and making an emergency plan, are the same regardless of the type of emergency. However, it's important to stay informed about what can happen in Northwest Georgia and how to respond. More information on the specific types of emergencies that may affect Northwest Georgia can be found here.