Oakmont Business' Program Helps Caregivers Prepare for Emergencies

Home Instead Senior Care in Oakmont is working on a new program that will help caregivers and adult children be informed about their loved ones.

Research conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care network has shown that many grown children don't know as much as they should about their older parents' medical histories, so the company has developed a program that will help families be prepared for an emergency. 

The Caring for Your Parents: Senior Emergency Kit is an information management tool that can help family caregivers keep important information at their fingertips. Information such as doctor contacts, pharmacy, insurance company, medication, allergy and dosage details can be contained in a kit. 

A survey of future family caregivers conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care network indicated a widespread lack of knowledge including the fact that less than half—47 percent—said they knew about their parents' medical histories.

The Boomer Project also conducted a 15-minute online survey for the Home Instead Senior Care network of 611 adults ages 45 to 65 who said they are likely to assume a caregiver role for their parents within the next 10 years.

Kathi Lenart and Cheryl Stawovy, owners of the Home Instead Senior Care in Oakmont, said it's important to implement the program now.

"Caregivers don't have the information they need," Stawovy said. "If a new caregiver comes in, they'll be able to have all that information available to them with this program.

"We each have parents who are older and know this information is really important to have."

Lenart agreed.

"It's good for family members who don't typically lie close to their parents," she said. "It'll come in handy during an emergency.

"Our hope s that we can educate family members and caregivers about the clients."

For more information, go to www.SeniorEmergencyKit.com or call Home Instead Senior Care office at 412-517-8337.

Home Instead Senior Care's Disaster Prep Checklist For Seniors:

Tune in. Contact the local emergency management office to learn about the most likely natural disasters to strike the area. Stay abreast of what’s going on through local media outlets.

Take stock. Decide what seniors can or can’t do in the event of a natural disaster. Make a list of what would be needed if a disaster occurred.

When deciding to evacuate, older adults should go sooner rather than later. By waiting too long, they may be unable to leave if they require assistance.

Make a plan. Schedule a family meeting to develop a plan of action. Include in key people—such as neighbors, friends, relatives and professional caregivers—who could help.

More than one way out. Seniors should develop at least two escape routes: one to evacuate their home and one to evacuate their community. The local emergency management office can offer information about escape routes.

Designate a place to meet relatives or key support network people outside the house, as well as a second location outside the neighborhood, such as a school or church. Practice the plan twice a year.

Have an easy-to-carry backpack including three days non-perishable food and water with an additional four days of food and water readily accessible at home. Have at least one gallon of bottled water per person per day. Refresh and replace supplies at least twice a year, and don’t forget the blanket and paper products such as toilet paper.

Pack extras and copies. Have at least a one-month supply of medication on hand at all times. Make ready other important documents in a waterproof protector including copies of prescriptions, car title registration and driver’s license, insurance documents and bank account numbers, and spare checkbook. Also take extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries. Label every piece of important equipment or personal item in case they are lost.

Compile a contact list and include people on a senior’s support network as well as doctors and other important health-care professionals.

If relatives are not living close by to help loved ones, enlist the help of family or friends, or contact a professional caregiving company.