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How Seniors Can Stay Safe In A Weather Emergency

Weather emergencies like extreme heat, tornadoes, and violent storms are becoming more common. For seniors that are aging at home staying safe in a weather emergency can be a challenge. Being prepared and having a plan of action for emergency situations can help keep seniors safe no matter what type of weather they have to deal with. Keeping plenty of clean water, food, and extra medications stored safely up high in the home is essential. Seniors, their families and their 24-hour home care aides should also use these tips to be prepared for a weather emergency:

Get A Satellite Phone

24-Hour Home Care Newberry FL – How Seniors Can Stay Safe In A Weather Emergency

Satellite phones can be expensive, but in a true emergency your senior parent may need one. A satellite phone has a GPS built in and will work on even when there is no power. So if your senior parent was in medical distress or needed to get help they could use a satellite phone to reach help even if the power was cut off, landlines weren’t working, and their cell phone was out of battery. If your senior loved one has any serious medical conditions or is disabled it’s a good idea to get them a satellite phone so they can get the help they need in an emergency.

24-Hour Home Care

24-hour home care is a great idea for seniors. With 24-hour home care someone will be with your senior loved one around the clock. If a storm or a flood or a fire happens in the middle of the night someone will be there to help your senior loved one get to safety or keep them calm. It can be terrifying for a senior to be alone during a terrible storm, or a power outage, or a flood. You will have the peace of mind of knowing that if you can’t get to your senior parent because of downed trees or other emergency problems someone will be with your senior parent to help them.

Store Supplies In Multiple Locations

It’s a good idea to store emergency supplies in multiple locations in the home in case one of those locations becomes inaccessible. For example, many people store emergency supplies in the basement but if the basement is flooded those supplies will be lost. Try to have supplies on both the ground floor and the second floor if the house has two or more floors. Pick a closet or a cabinet upstairs or use the attic to store water, food, medications, pet food, clothes, and other emergency supplies that might be needed in an emergency. If your senior loved one uses a cane or a walker it’s a good idea to have an extra one of those as well.

Create A Secure Room

If there is a major storm or a tornado your senior loved one will need someplace to go in the house that will provide protection from debris or damage to the house. An interior room with no windows is the best choice, like a laundry room or a bathroom. Make sure that your senior loved one is able to access that room and put emergency supplies in there as well as a comfy chair in case your senior loved one needs to take shelter there.