How to prepare for disasters, power outages and medical emergencies if you’re aging alone

By Carol Marak

Emergencies strike without warning – here are the steps you can take when you’re faced with a crisis and your family can’t be there to help

This article is reprinted with permission from NextAvenue.org.

For Beth (not her real name), living alone is a good thing. Over the years she has adapted to the single lifestyle. She is content to get things done on her own, even long bike rides. Just the other day, the chilly weather motivated Beth to do just that — hop on her bike and go for a ride.

But this ride was different. As she slid down the driveway and turned onto a busy street, nothing could have prepared her for what was about to happen. A few miles from home, out of nowhere, an 18-wheeler car pulled up a little too close, throwing Beth off balance. Stunned, she jerked the bike a little too hard, throwing her over the handlebars and hitting her hip. She stayed there until the ambulance came.

In the emergency room, the doctor said, “Broken hip, you’re going to be in rehab for a while. Who should we call?”

When putting together confidants for medical records, important documents, and smartphones, priority should be given to calling or texting a trusted friend, family member, or professional as an emergency contact. The designation is ICE: In Case of Emergency Contact. And it should be marked as such. Perhaps you rely on a close friend or family. But if you don’t have anyone around, you’re stuck.

In 2019, the Institute of Healthcare Policy and Innovation reported that 22% of the 50-80 age group had experienced an emergency or disaster such as a power outage lasting more than a day, severe weather, evacuation or lockdown, while 73% reported , at least to be affected by such an event during his lifetime.

Although more than half of older adults believe they will experience some type of crisis, the majority are confident they can handle it. And if you live alone, it’s important to prepare and build a network of friends for support.

Read: Who Takes Care of Childless Pensioners? How “solo agers” can stay happy and safe

Build an emergency support network

Create a group of people for social interactions and relationships, as well as a group that looks out for each other. It is important that you feel comfortable and actively participate in the relationships. If you enjoy their company and entertainment, they are part of your network.

Alison Arnett, Director of Aged Care at PremierCMGA in Atlanta, suggests building a purpose-driven network. “Nobody lives alone – there are people everywhere. To feel safe and connected, develop a team of people who can support you,” she says. “People are often stuck because they have no one to take care of their well-being.”

Where to find people to support you

Caryn Issacs of New York, a patient advocate at GetHealthHelp.com, advises: “When choosing people to care for you in times of need, choose those who know your preferences and are strong enough to carry things like shopping bags and even… to lift rollators. It is important that they know how to access transportation and other services. It is better if they are active listeners and efficient note takers. And you have to trust them.”

Here are some types of emergencies to prepare for:

power outages

With a power outage lasting more than 24 hours, two in three older adults felt very confident they were prepared, 27% were somewhat confident and just 4% were not at all confident, according to the Institute of Healthcare Policy and Innovation.

In July, my high-rise building in Texas lost power for 17 hours. The temperature outside reached 100 degrees. The outage was not citywide; A year earlier, however, power went out throughout the Metroplex during a winter storm. From this I learned to be better prepared.

Arnett suggests, “Find out the locations of city-sponsored shelters in the event of a power outage and situations like Snow Mageddon.” People need to know where to go and have a plan for how to get there in the event of a weather-related crisis. Finding accommodation is important. Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for guidance or information. Also, make sure you know when to evacuate an area.

Put together an emergency kit for power outages

Medical Emergencies

No one expects to cut their finger while preparing food, which is what I experienced. When it happened there were neighbors I knew who could help. I grabbed a towel, wrapped the finger and walked down the hall to a friend’s apartment.

And when the crisis is more traumatic than a cut finger like a bike accident or a broken hip, Nancy Ruffner, a patient advocate in North Carolina, encourages third-person thinking that pulls you out of the situation. If you end up in the hospital, who could step in and do what needs to be done?

“When you make a plan, remove the emotions and focus on the tasks – who might get mail/find bills or assemble and pay? Who’s going to guard your home, water plants, check security, turn lights on and off, move things, walk around outside to make it look like someone is there?” says Ruffner. “If you have a pet, who takes care of it?”

Be prepared

Keep a hospital bag filled and handy. Include an ICE (emergency contact list) list of medications and medical conditions, a photocopy of a health insurance card, a Medicare card (black out the last four digits of the social security number), toiletries, pen and notebook, puzzle books, lip balm, hand sanitizer, personal hygiene items, a Copy of Health Care Power of Attorney. Identify a key contact. Make an extra copy of the contents of each folder and leave it at a friend or relative’s house.

Create a spreadsheet of your support contacts and information, e.g. B. who takes care of your home, pet, vehicle, food in the fridge, etc. Also list who will examine you in the hospital, collect essentials and bring them to you.

Make sure you always have a first aid kit and an emergency kit on hand. You will also know how to recognize a medical emergency.

weather emergencies

Extremely cold

Mountain regions are not the only areas affected by winter storms. Regions at low altitudes are also affected. Snow cover confuses traffic and keeps people indoors. In 2016, Winter Storm Jonas crushed the Northeast with up to 31 inches of snow.

During winter storms, it’s important to stay warm and safe. Here are some tips for planning ahead:

Cold weather emergency kit

At Home: Keep the cold out with insulation, caulking and weatherstripping. Prevent pipes from freezing. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup. Install storm or thermal glass windows or cover windows from the inside with plastic. If you don’t have electricity, have a backup kit ready for power outages.

Car: jumper cables, sand, flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and non-perishable snacks. Keep a full tank. Ready.gov offers a complete guide to vehicle prep.

See: How Climate Change Is Ruining Retirement Across America

hurricanes, tornadoes and floods

As observed in Florida and the Carolinas after Hurricane Ian, it is important to be prepared for an emergency, knowing that severe storms could affect internet access. Ready.gov provides emergency reporting options from authorized federal, state, local, tribal, and territory public alert agencies that send alerts.

See also: Am I lonely? ‘I’m doing well. I’m doing well.’ How single men can prepare to age alone

Be wary of disaster-related scams

Colleen Tressler, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission warns, “In addition to preparing for weather disasters, protect yourself from scammers. These criminals use emergencies to defraud consumers.”

Be vigilant, stay safe and prepare for emergencies. Do it now, before you get caught off guard, and build a support team of co-workers and friends nearby.

Continue reading: Climate change is a pension problem – how to turn worry into action

Additional emergency resources for solo agers

Carol Marak, author of SOLO AND SMART: The Roadmap for a Supportive and Secure Future, is a former family caregiver and an avid author and advocate for the Solo community. Carol lives alone and has established a secure and confident lifestyle for herself. She plans to be successful well into her 90s. Follow her work at carolmarak.com.

This article is reprinted with permission from NextAvenue.org, (c) 2022 Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. All rights reserved.

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