Recent wildfires in Los Angeles, floods, extreme heat, tornadoes and other emergencies are getting more frequent in our country. If it hasn’t happened to you or your aging loved ones yet, you may put off talking about it. It’s scary. We don’t like to think about these things possibly affecting us personally, but we must. A conversation with aging loved ones could save their lives. If they don’t live with you, it’s time to have in mind a basic list of questions to ask so that all in a family can plan for emergency exits.
First, Notification– How Would You Know About An Emergency?
Most digital savvy folks have emergency alerts on their phones, established by the local fire departments or other agencies tasked with addressing emergencies. But many of our aging parents don’t have these apps, notification alerts or other means of communication from local authorities. Adult children or grandchildren can sign them up and teach them to use them to see emergency warnings. Even a simple, not so smart cell phone can do this in most cases. Take this step as a first essential one. If they lack the phone, buy a cell phone for them that is capable and show them what an emergency alert looks like.
Second: Plan For Evacuation They Might Need–Where Would You Go?
You, the family need to know of a place to which your aging parents could escape danger, such as from a wildfire or flood. The local government is tasked with establishing escape routes. It can help to print and post the plan at your aging parents’ home.
Third: Plan For Transportation Out–How Would You Get To A Safe Place?
Do your loved ones drive? Is there a vehicle to which they have access if they need to evacuate? If not, neighbors, friends, or anyone nearby needs to know that they could be trapped. If your aging parents have not reached out to anyone, you can help them do so. Have a plan for whom they could call, what transportation they could count on or if they drive, what direction they would need to take to flee danger.
Fourth: Pack A “Go Bag”–Do You Have A Bag Ready If You Have To Escape Fast?
The duffel, backpack or other bag they might need should be already packed with essentials. Medications, ID, glasses, phone charger, dehydrated food, hat, gloves, water and a change of clothing are some basics most authorities suggest putting in the go bag. You know your aging parents. Decide with them what they would require in an emergency for a day or a few days. Be sure it’s ready to go ahead of time. In dire times it is hard to think this through under pressure of an evacuation order.
Fifth: Whom To Contact And Where To Meet–Do You Know Who To Call And Where We Could Find You?
Be sure to have a printed sheet of all phone numbers of those who will need to be informed of an aging loved one’s whereabouts after an evacuation. Terrified relatives, possibly yourself, need to know as soon as possible if your loved ones escaped the emergency. In case of power failures or panicked forgetting phone numbers, the go bag has a backup piece of paper in it, so that aging loved ones can reach you.
We can all learn from the tragedies we have seen before now. More are sure to come. If you are a responsible person with aging parents, take the lead and have the discussion. Help them be ready. While you’re at it, be ready yourself.
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