Orange County Preparedness Month

Each year we recognize September as a time to plan and prepare for emergency situations.  With two awareness events this month – both National Preparedness Month and National Falls Prevention Week – we all want to plan for being safe through both health and weather-related emergencies.

This year’s theme for National Preparedness Month is ‘Preparing for Older Adults,’ while the National Falls Prevention week theme is ‘From Awareness to Action.’  As caregivers, what actions steps can we take to prepare for our needs, and the needs of the older adults we are caring, for before an emergency situation?

FEMA highlights three reasons older adults are more vulnerable during emergencies – and there are steps we can take to mitigate each of these:

1. “A greater likelihood to suffer from chronic conditions and the need for associated medications”
   1. Communicate regularly with your providers and the providers of the person you are caring for.  If new needs arise, take steps to have them addressed promptly.
   2. Form a relationship with your pharmacist.  Your pharmacy team can help monitor possible interactions between medications, stay aware of side effects, and may be able to provide an emergency refill during inclement weather or disaster situations.
2. A greater reliance on assistive devices such as walkers or glasses, as well as support from caregivers and others; and
   1. Schedule regular appointments with your ophthalmologist and wear any recommended prescriptions.
   2. When you get a new glasses prescription, consider keeping your older pair in your emergency kit.
   3. If you or the person you are caring for use small assistive devices for daily living tasks (like magnifying glasses or large handled utensils), keep spare devices in your emergency kit.
   4. Ensure mobility devices are in good working order (strong brakes, appropriate adjustments, etc.) and label the device with your name and phone number.  In the event that you or the person you are caring for need to evacuate to an emergency shelter, this will increase the changes of the devices staying (or returning!) to you.
   5. Keep up-to-date emergency contact information in easy-to-find locations.  Wallet cards, labeled contacts in a cell phone, or information clipped/stamped onto preferred clothing can all help for situations away from home.         Keeping a list next to a landline phone or on the front of the refrigerator offer additional support while at home.
3.  An increased likelihood of social isolation.
   1. Form connections with natural supports in your community, like neighbors, your faith community, or the senior center.  Explore what options – like check-in phone calls, friendly visits, virtual meet-ups, or organized outings – might be available to keep the connections going.
   2. As a member of a community group, keep an eye to others you haven’t connected with recently.  Check in on those individuals, or ask a leader within your group to check in.

Let’s all take steps this September to stay safe.  If you have questions about your specific situation, team members on the Aging Helpline are available for consultation: 919-968-2087 or agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov. 

FREE Nutrition Supplements

If you have NC Medicaid, you may be eligible to receive free oral nutrition supplements, like Boost or Ensure. Contact the Aging Helpline for more information at 919-968-2087.