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What Should be in Your Parent’s Emergency Kit

Home Care in Boynton Beach FL: Part of creating a home care plan that is truly effective is making sure that your elderly loved one is prepared in the event of an emergency.

Home Care in Boynton Beach FL

Part of creating a home care plan that is truly effective is making sure that your elderly loved one is prepared in the event of an emergency. While you hope that such an emergency will not occur, being properly prepared will give you and your parent peace of mind, and ensure that if it does happen, you can respond quickly and effectively.

Every home should have an emergency kit. This basic piece of emergency preparedness should be kept in a place in the home that is easily accessible and stored in a container that is easy to carry and water resistant. This kit will contain the supplies that your loved one will need to get through a severe weather situation or other emergency that impacts normal life, such as causing a power outage. Having this kit well packed and kept maintained and up-to-date can make a tremendous difference in how well your parent can cope with these potentially dangerous situations.

 

Some things that you should consider including in your parent’s emergency kit include:

  • Water. Have at least a three-day supply of potable water available for each person who may be in the home. One gallon a day is a good starting point. If you are concerned that the lack of safe running water may last longer than that, also include water purification tablets.
  • Food. Include at least three days’ worth of non-perishable, nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for each person who may be in the home. This can include canned foods, protein bars, emergency food rations, or even protein powder that can be mixed with water.
  • Flashlight. If the power goes out, having a source of light will be both comforting and provide protection. Light will help your parent move around the home more easily and can act as a way to signal for help. Make sure to check the flashlight regularly to ensure it is in good condition and include extra batteries to keep it going throughout the emergency.
  • Radio. Remember that if the power goes out your parent will not have access to television news and may even lose the ability to rely on the internet for information. Include a battery-operated or hand-crank radio that will let your parent stay up-to-date on information about the storm and any evacuation orders.
  • Personal care items. Include items that will help your parent carry on with her daily personal care even if she has to evacuate or if there are problems in the home caused by the storm. Changes of clothing, extra socks, hand wipes, rinse-free washcloths, and other toiletries can make a tremendous difference in how your parent feels throughout the emergency.
  • Medication. Include over-the-counter medication that your parent takes regularly as well as copies of prescriptions for her other medications so that she can replace them in the event of an emergency.
  • First aid. Each emergency kit should include a first aid kit that includes basic supplies such as alcohol wipes, adhesive bandages, gauze, tweezers, and scissors.
  • Remember the care provider. If your parent has an in home health care services provider in the home on a regular basis, remember her when building your parent’s emergency kit. Include extra supplies that will help her throughout the emergency such as extra food, water, and blankets.

 

If you or a family member are in need of home care in Boynton Beach, FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. Providing service in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Weston, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, Lighthouse Point, and Wilton Manors.

 

Stephen Sternbach

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