Staying Fit
Hurricane season, fire season, tornadoes, floods and other emergencies mean that people who live in areas prone to these events should have a plan in place. If you’re 50 or older, there are extra things to pay particular attention to.
In addition to getting the basics, including water, nonperishable food, a first-aid kit, flashlights, batteries and a full tank of gas, older adults need to think ahead, says Don Walker, the public information officer for Florida’s Brevard County Emergency Management.
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Anyone with medical issues who may need to go to a shelter should make those preparations early — before a weather event hits, Walker says. Some shelters provide access to nurses, medical staff or other equipment, but they need to know you’re coming. Have enough prescription medicine to last for several days, or even two weeks if power is out for an extended period and pharmacies aren’t open, Walker says. “Make those arrangements early on,” he says. “If you’re doing it at that last minute, that’s not going to work well.”
Older adults may be more likely to live in older houses, mobile homes or manufactured dwellings that are not able to withstand storms as well as newer homes can, Walker says. Have a plan for where you might go if necessary — whether that means a shelter, hotel or staying with a friend or relative — even if evacuation isn’t required.
“If you’re evacuating, do it early versus later,” Walker says. “You don’t want to be driving in the rain or through high water or on a road experiencing flooding.”
Make sure you have contact information for people you might need to notify if you leave home. “You don’t want to leave them guessing,” he says.