Emergency plan tips offered for homebound patients

Strong winds, flooding rain and catastrophic damage were plastered all over the news as Florida continued to get battered by Hurricane Irma. Peninsula Home Care is making now the time to prepare patients and the community for any extreme weather that might reach Delmarva.

"September is National Preparedness Month, and it couldn't come at a better time this year," said Beverly White, branch director, Peninsula Home Care at Nanticoke. "As our team continues to care for homebound patients, and provide resources and support to their caregivers, we want to help them understand what they can do on their own to prepare in advance for any type of extreme weather that may impact our area."

Homebound individuals need a well-thought-out emergency plan that will accommodate their medical needs, medications and mobility during and after disaster strikes. The following is a checklist of things to consider when preparing for a storm:

• Create a support network of family, friends and others who can assist you during an emergency. Make sure they have an extra key to your home, and know where you keep your emergency supplies and how to administer medicine. 
• If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify backup service providers.
• Restock and replenish emergency supplies. These can include items such as blankets, batteries, bottled water and canned food. 
• Keep a list of medications, medical devices (style and serial #), doctors and pharmacies in a waterproof bag. Consider including a photocopy of doctors' prescriptions to make it easier to get refills in other locations. Also consider keeping a duplicate copy of this list in another location like a friend or family member's home.
• Have an evacuation plan in place. Know where you can go, how you will get there and who to call for help. Know what to bring - medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids, extra batteries, oxygen, etc.
• When extreme weather is in the forecast, plan ahead and ask a caregiver, neighbor or family member to trim or remove damaged trees and limbs, secure loose rain gutters and downspouts, and clear any clogged areas to prevent water damage to your property.

For more information, call Peninsula Home Care at Nanticoke at 302-629-4914 or go to www.peninsulahomecare.com.