| When planning for large scale emergency situations, it's | | | | any other important information. Registering with |
| easy to forget that some segments of the population | | | | special needs registries in your catchment area can |
| have special needs that go beyond the average and | | | | also help officials recognize individuals with special |
| require more than a survival kit and an evacuation plan. | | | | medical needs more quickly. |
| Many elderly and disabled persons have very specific | | | | Designated contacts to provide assistance |
| medical needs that must be met regardless of | | | | To make sure that patients with special medical needs |
| external happenings. Limited mobility, access to | | | | are taken care of in an emergency situation, a set of |
| medication and frailty from pre-existing conditions are | | | | designated contacts should be established who will be |
| only some of the many possible complications faced | | | | responsible for their assistance. These contacts could |
| by the elderly and disabled in an emergency situation. | | | | be family members, members of the community, or |
| These factors can often be life-threatening if left | | | | paid healthcare providers. Contacts can take |
| unattended. | | | | responsibility for any number of duties, including |
| As the percentage of elderly and frail members of | | | | transportation, administration of essential medications, |
| society grows, and an increasing number of patients | | | | or general assistance. Adding clear accountability |
| receive treatment in home care or nursing facilities, it | | | | makes contacts feel responsible and avoids situations |
| can be difficult to ensure that proper medical treatment | | | | where the elderly and disabled are disregarded and |
| will continue to be administered in a disaster scenario. | | | | left to be "someone else's problem". |
| Responsibility for the care of elderly members of | | | | Personal disaster plans |
| society during fires, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes | | | | Having a personal disaster plan gives elderly or |
| is split between the family and friends of the elderly, | | | | disabled individuals personal agency, and a feeling of |
| the healthcare system, and the community as a whole. | | | | control over their situation. This helps avoid the potential |
| There are a number of important precautions that can | | | | for feelings of helplessness and confusion in the event |
| be taken to help ensure that the proper measures are | | | | of an emergency. Planning should include dependable |
| taken to deliver necessary care in a disaster scenario: | | | | transportation options, evacuation routes, and |
| Pertinent medical information | | | | knowledge of nearby medical facilities. A special kit |
| In the event that a disaster hits and an individual with | | | | containing extra batteries and backups of important |
| special medical needs is separated from his or her | | | | medical devices should also be prepared in case the |
| caregiver, it's important for them to be able to make | | | | individual in question is isolated from medical facilities |
| others aware of their conditions. Medical bracelets and | | | | for an extended period of time. |
| other visible cues can help alert members of the public | | | | These factors combined with a well implemented |
| to individuals with medical needs so that they can then | | | | regional emergency plan are the best safety |
| help them get the necessary treatment for their | | | | measures to ensure the well-being of elderly and |
| specific condition. Another option is to keep a written | | | | disabled members of the population during an |
| note with a list of medical conditions, prescriptions, and | | | | emergency situation. |