What Is Your Emergency Survival Plan?

by | Aug 12, 2019 | Blog, confused about medicare

Toni:

We are new to the Houston area and Hurricane Harvey absolutely stressed my wife because her 89-year-old mother is living in an assisted living facility and we live over 15 miles away from her.

What can we do to be prepared for another hurricane or an emergency for the elderly should happen? Seeing what is happening in other areas regarding tornados and other disasters such as floods or forest fires are concerning us. Thanks, Carl from Pasadena

Carl:

Everyone should have a family disaster readiness plan for hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and/or all types of natural disasters.  For seniors or those that are disabled, this is especially crucial for their survival because many are energy or technologically dependent for life support or ongoing medical treatment.

Here are a few questions, to help you prepare for nearly any disaster or hurricane no matter what area of America you live.

  • Do I stay or go? This will depend on where you live either in the city or in the country.  When living in the city, leave early because during many storms there have been massive traffic jams which took 36-48 hours of waiting on the highway to get out of that area. Please leave early to avoid serious delays and running out of gas on the highway.
  1. a)  Make sure you have a sufficient supply of prescriptions and always bring your list of current prescriptions for yourself or any family member.
  2. b)   Have a copy of medical records for those with critical medical conditions such as your mother-in-law’s. Keep the medical records in a safe place that you can get to immediately when evacuating.
  3. c)Advise your family members where the information is located.
  4. d)Have a backup plan in case you are not in town for the emergency.
  • Do I have access to clean water? If you do not have access to clean water, then any crisis becomes very critical in a couple of days.  Remember, you may not have access to a grocery store due to the type of disaster you are in or supplies may be depleted.
  • Do I have adequate food supply? Most households have a few days of food already available, but the best way to stock up on additional food and supplies is to add a little bit each week.  Remember, during a crisis the power may be out, so cook your frozen & refrigerated food first.
  • Do I have enough cash on hand in case the ATMs are not working?Remember to take your check book.  ATMs may not be operating. Make sure you have your driver’s license or ID to cash a check.
  • Does my family know where to meet?  It is important that all family members and loved ones know where to meet in a disaster.  My family’s initial meeting place if we happen to be separated in the Houston area is Whataburger in Sealy on I-10 and Hwy 36.

Hurricane season officially started on Saturday, June 1 and will not end until Saturday, November 30. America does not take storms or any natural disasters for granted. I remember the news during Tropical Storm Allison in June 2001, when 18-wheelers were floating down I-10 because the water was so high.  It is at that time I learned how to get prepared!

July’s Confused about Medicare Workshop:

  • Friendswood/Clear Lake Area Medicare Workshop-Tuesday, July 30th   6:00 – 8:00PM at Friendswood Public Library-Meeting Room, 416 S. Friendswood Dr, Friendswood, TX 77546. Please RSVP 832/519-8664 as space is limited.

Toni King, author of the Medicare Survival Guide® is giving a $5 discount to the Toni Says® readers on the Medicare Survival Guide® Advancedbookat www.tonisays.com.

 

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