Proper advance preparation for the care of older adults in an emergency situation is vitally important because disasters happen without warning, and in the Skilled Nursing Facility environment, such emergencies can have dramatic consequences, according to senior spokespeople from the Administration for Community Living at the US Dept. of Health & Human Services.
Speaking on a live “emergency preparedness planning webinar” broadcast on September 26, 2017, the two ACL officials— Regional Administrator Kathleen Otte, and Aging Services Program Specialist Rhonda Schwartz—pointed out that many of the questions which emergency planners need to consider are not obvious, and require considerable forethought.
The two officials went on to give examples of the sort of things which need to be pre-planned in an emergency situation.
What if a caregiver is separated from his or her charges when an event occurs, or utilities are interrupted, and official assistance delayed? It is important that an SNF have a plan ready to meet all of these eventualities.
For example, do older adults regularly need assistance with personal care, such as bathing and grooming? Do they use adaptive equipment to help get dressed?
What if water service is cut off or there is no hot water? Do the older adults use a shower chair, tub-transfer bench, or other similar equipment?
Do the older adults use special utensils that help them prepare or eat food independently?
How will the older adults continue to use equipment that runs on electricity, such as dialysis, electrical lifts, etc.? Does a safe back-up power supply exist and how long will it last?
Do the older adults need specially equipped vehicles or accessible transportation?
Do the older adults need help to get groceries, medications, and medical supplies? What if the caregivers cannot reach them?
Will older adults be able to evacuate via other means if an elevator is not in service?
How will older adults call or summon for help if they need to leave the building?
How will older adults arrange for care for a service animal or pet? Do they have the appropriate licenses for a service animal so that they will be permitted to keep it with them should it become necessary to use an emergency public shelter?
Do the older adults know where the shut-off valves are for the major household utilities (gas, electricity, water)? Do they know how to use them?
Do any of the older adults have a medical alert system? Will it work with a cell phone if landlines are disrupted?
Do the older adults know the safest place to be in a residence if evacuation is not an option?
Do the older adults take prescription medications? Do they maintain adequate supplies to last several days? Do they have any special dietary needs? Do they require dentures? (The officials stated that they had received a lot of feedback in the past regarding older adults not having their dentures with them when evacuated, and thus were unable to eat properly.)
The two ACL officials then provided some important tips for the caregivers and SNF administrators to bear in mind before a disaster strikes:
– Keep at least a half a tank of gas in the car; gas station pumps may not function; gas may not be available
– Keep some cash on hand; bank machines may not work and businesses that manage to be open may not be able to process credit card payments
– Purchase portable cell phone chargers
– Contact local police or emergency management agency to learn how to receive official communications in an emergency
– Have an out-of-town contact person
– Arrange for a back-up in case the primary caregiver is not available
– If an older adult uses an electric wheelchair or scooter, have a manual wheelchair for backup
– If an older adult is vision impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, plan ahead for someone to convey essential emergency information to him or her if they are unable to use the TV or radio
– If an older adult uses a personal care attendant from an agency, check to see if the agency has special provisions for emergencies (e.g., providing services at another location should an evacuation be ordered).
Simple steps such as these can go a long way to softening the blow of any emergency or disaster.
