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Emergency preparation is important to consider and plan
for, as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita proved in 2005. While the likelihood
that most people will again experience a disaster of that magnitude is
slim, emergencies can comprise incidents of a variety of different types
and sizes. Examples of these would include fire, flooding, storm damage
or medical emergencies.
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Develop an emergency preparedness
kit. |
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Develop an agreed upon meeting
place for you, the people you live with and your staff. Also
develop a back up plan in case the first one is inaccessible. |
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Know who to contact from your
provider agency and what type of plans will be made in case of
an emergency. |
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Write down the medication you take
as well as the reason that you take them with their dosage
information. Keep this list in an easily accessible place in
case of a medical emergency. This can also be helpful for other
emergent situations as well. Update this list frequently and try
to keep an extra supply of medication on hand for emergencies
which may keep you from having the prescriptions filled
immediately. |
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Have medical and psychiatric
advanced directives handy. Give copies to friends and family. |
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Make copies of important records
such as Photo ID, Driver’s License, Social Security Card, Birth
Certificate, and insurance card including Medicaid and/or
Medicare. |
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Have telephone numbers handy for
people whom you would want contacted in case of an emergency. |
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If you have pets, develop a plan
for who would care for them in case of an emergency. Have that
person’s contact information handy as well as directions for how
you want your pets cared for. |
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Due to communication challenges
that can present when faced with a crisis, write down how others
can best help you when you are clear headed and able to
appropriately convey your wishes regarding the type of care you
receive. |
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Water – the Red Cross recommends
one gallon of water per person per day. As one of the side
affects of many psychotropic medications is dry mouth, the
amount of water per person, per day may need to be increased |
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Food that is easily stored and
used in case of an emergency and/or power outage |
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Flashlights and batteries |
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Can and bottle openers |
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Scissors and/or pocket knife |
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Duct tape |
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Blanket – some suggest thermo
reflective blankets |
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Matches (be sure to store in a
waterproof container |
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Radio |
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Soap and Hand sanitizer |
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Whistles |
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Flares |
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Sewing kit |
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Compass |
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Change of Clothes |
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Books, crossword puzzles, games,
etc. – You may need items to help occupy your time, this will
help ease any anxiety or frustration that you may experience
while waiting for help or other specific services |
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Stress management during a crisis |
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Manage exposure to the news –
Monitor the level of stress that you subject yourself to when
glued to news reports. Manage this by either limiting your time
watching events unfold on the television or switch to another
medium which is less stressful Try not to expose yourself to the
news either right before you go to bed or the first thing when
you wake up |
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Keep a schedule – maintaining a
routine as much as possible will help to reinforce feelings of
control over a situation and normalcy. This is especially useful
when dealing with children in a time of crisis |
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Avoid alcohol and/or drugs – use
of substances in a time of crisis impairs judgment and can sap
your energy |
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Stay connected – avoid isolating
by continuing to talk to others to both update them on your
situation but also to share feelings about the event at hand |
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Monitor your sleeping and eating,
ensuring that you get enough sleep and that you eat right |
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