Emergencies can present additional challenges for seniors and people with disabilities. When a disaster occurs, your personal needs, such as replacing medications and equipment, may not be met right away. By planning ahead, you will feel more confident about protecting yourself in any emergency, whether it is a house fire, power outage, hurricane, or terrorist attack.
THINK ABOUT YOUR NEEDS
To make an emergency plan, you must assess your personal needs. Determine if the resources you use routinely will be adequate during emergencies like flooding, extreme heat, or major snowstorms, among other hazards. For example, determine if you rely on caregivers, special medical equipment, medicine, or service animals. If you are a caregiver, help your clients evaluate their environment and identify their vital resources.
DEVELOP A PLAN
Develop a disaster plan for each place you spend time — home, work, school, and in the community. Consider the following recommendations to ensure your plan best meets your needs:
Establish a personal support network with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, and determine how you will help each other in any emergency. Do not depend on one person only. Ask those who form your support network to:
Know how to contact you anytime critical information becomes available.
Have copies of important documents, such as information about medication and dosage, equipment, and other needs.
Learn about your personal needs and how to help you in an emergency.
If you receive home-based care (e.g. homecare attendant, home health aide, visiting nurse service), include caregivers in developing your plan and familiarize yourself with your homecare agency's emergency plan.
If you have a pet or service animal, also plan for his or her needs (i.e. temporary relocation,
transportation, etc.).
If you rely on home-delivered meals, always stock nonperishable food at home in case meal deliveries are suspended during an emergency.
Have a plan with your doctor to get emergency prescription refills.
If you receive dialysis or other medical treatments, find out your provider's emergency plan, including where your back-up site is located.
If you rely on medical equipment that requires electric power:
Contact your medical supply company for information regarding a back-up power source such as a battery.
Follow the manufacturer's directions when installing and using the equipment.
Check with local fire and building officials for regulations governing generator and fuel use.
Ask your utility company if the medical equipment qualifies you to be listed as a life-sustaining equipment customer or if you are eligible to register for a priority power restoration program.
Con Edison: (800) 752-6633 (TTY: 800-642-2308)
National Grid: (718) 643-4050 (TYY: 718-237-2857
LIPA: (800)490-0025(TTY: 631-755-6660)
If you rely on oxygen, talk to your vendor about emergency replacements.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury now requires all federal benefit and non-tax payments to be paid electronically. If you are applying for Social Security, veterans benefits, or other federal benefits on or after May 1, 2011, you will receive payments electronically starting with your first payment. If you are currently receiving federal benefit checks, you will need to switch to an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013. For more information, call (800) 333-1795 or visit www.GoDirect.org.
PLANNING FOR OUTSIDE THE HOME
Get involved in emergency planning for all places you spend time, such as school, work, or senior centers. If there is no plan, encourage managers or administrators to develop one. Make sure they are aware of any needs you or those you care for may have. Also make sure you are included in decisions regarding equipment and procedures that might affect you.
ASSEMBLE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
Everyone needs emergency supplies. Keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own for at least three days. You may also consider additional supplies and equipment when compiling your kit, based on your special needs. These items may include:
Style and serial numbers of medical devices (such as pacemakers) and usage instructions
Supplies for pets and service animals (food, extra water, bowl, leash, plastic bags)
Contact information for your doctors and pharmacist
PUT TOGETHER A GO BAG
Assemble a Go Bag – a collection of items you may need if you have to leave in a hurry. Consider additional items such as:
Copies of your important documents in a waterproof container (insurance cards, Medicare/Medicaid cards, photo IDs, proof of address, marriage and birth certificates, etc.)
Copies of credit and ATM cards and cash, especially in small denominations
Bottled water and nonperishable food, such as energy or granola bars
Flashlight, battery-operated AM/FM radio, and extra batteries
First-aid kit
Include a list of the medications you take, why you take them, and their dosages
Sturdy, comfortable shoes, lightweight raingear, and a Mylar blanket
Small regional map
Instructions and extra batteries for any devices you use
Notepad and pen
Emergency health information card
Aerosol tire repair kits and/or tire inflator to repair flat wheelchair or scooter tires
Supplies for your service animal (food, extra water, bowl, leash, plastic bags)
Back-up medical equipment
Items to comfort you in a stressful situation
Instructions for any device you may use
Aerosol tire repair kits to repair flat wheelchair or scooter tires and/or tire inflator
BE PREPARED TO EVACUATE
Evacuation should be addressed as part of your emergency planning efforts, both for your home and all places you spend time. Seniors and people with disabilities should take the following considerations into account when making evacuation plans:
Determine if you will need assistance in an emergency evacuation, including how you will get to a safe place or shelter.
Determine all usable exits from each room and your building. Make a habit of identifying exits whenever you are in a new location (i.e. shopping mall, restaurant, movie theater, etc.).
Know evacuation plans for all places you spend time. Often buildings have floor marshals who are responsible for evacuation plans. Be sure to let floor marshals know what special assistance you or those you care for may need in an emergency.
Practice dealing with different circumstances and unforeseen situations, such as blocked paths or exits.
Teach members of your support network how to operate your equipment in an emergency (e.g. how to disengage gears of a power wheelchair and how to best lift or transfer you).
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, practice having members of your support network — both at home and at work — communicate important information to you through pre-designated gestures, flashcards, or other means.
If you are blind or have low vision, have members of your support network practice guiding and directing you.
Include service animals in all drills so they become familiar with exit routes.
DISASTER SHELTERING
If you are directed to evacuate, try to make arrangements with friends or family outside of the affected area. For evacuees who have no alternative shelter, the City will open shelters throughout the five boroughs. Disaster shelters may be set up in schools, municipal buildings, and places of worship. They provide basic food and water.
Shelters are subject to change depending on the emergency. To find an accessible shelter during an emergency, call 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115).
If needed, have someone in your support network accompany you to a shelter.
Shelters DO NOT have special equipment (e.g. oxygen, mobility aids). Be prepared to bring your own.
Service animals are allowed.
SHELTER IN PLACE
In some emergencies, you may be advised to stay where you are. When evacuation to shelters is either inappropriate or impossible, you may be instructed to stay where you are, or shelter in place.
Senior and Community Centers: Depending on the emergency, some senior and community centers may adjust hours of operation. For example, centers may stay open longer in a heat emergency. During snowstorms, they may close early because it may be dangerous to travel. For more information on center hours during an emergency, call 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115) or check directly with the senior or community center.
Hurricane Zone Finder: This tool will help you determine whether you live in a hurricane evacuation zone and where there is a hurricane shelter near you. During a hurricane emergency, the Zone Finder residents can get up-to-date information on evacuation centers at NYC.gov/hurricanezones and via 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115).
