Special Needs

During an emergency those with special needs should be considered when creating a household plan and emergency kit.

Remember:

Mobility

• If you or a family member have difficulty moving quickly and easily, make sure your neighbors are aware and that you have someone who can check in with you in case of an emergency.
• Develop a support network with several people who will continue to follow up with you following an emergency.

Medication & Medical Supplies

• Keep a separate supplyof at least 7 days worth of any medication or critical medical supplies, such as oxygen.
• If you rely on electric medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, ventilators, and oxygen compressors, talk to your medical supply company about getting batteries or a generator as a backup power source.

Care

• During an emergency, personal care attendants may not be able to make it to their patients. Make sure you have made arrangements with caregivers who are familiar with your personal care agencies emergency policy.
• If you have a service animal, make sure that it has a registered tag.

Additions to the Emergency Kit and Go Bag

• Extra mobility aids, including manual wheelchair (Car batteries may be used to run an electric wheelchair)
• A whistle to signal for help
• Necessary medications and supplies
• Special sanitary needs
• Important medical phone numbers
• Food that meets specialized dietary needs
• Make a list of your medications, medical conditions, insurance information, allergies, and have your insurance cards available. Keep a copy with you at all times, and give another copy to someone else for safekeeping.

Additional Resources:

Publications

• Preparing for Emergencies:  A Checklist for People with Mobility Problems (PDF)
• Check for Safety—A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults (CDC) (PDF)
• Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition Resources and Disaster Response (PDF)
• Northwest Renal Network Disaster Questions and Answers (PDF)
• Four Keys to being Prepared for a Disaster (PDF)
• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Getting Medical Care and Prescription Drugs in a Disaster or Emergency Area (PDF)

Web sites

• Special Needs & Concerns—Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors (ARC)
• Preparedness Information for Seniors & People with Disabilities (ARC)
• Disability Preparedness Resource Center (DHS)
• The Community Preparedness Web site Project—Vulnerable Populations
• Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition
• Accessible Emergency Information (Videos with American Sign Language interpreters, audio voice over, and text, also the Emergency Preparedness Guide formatted in Braille and large print.)

Business Preparedness

Children

Communication Plan

Emergency Supplies

Family Plan

Financial Preparedness

Food

Go Bag

Community Resources

Pets

Preparedness Training

Preparing Your Home

Seniors

Special Needs

Utilities

Vehicle

Water

Winter Preparedness