Yesterday brought a remarkable weather occurrence here in the United States: Snow fell in 49 out of the 50 states, even the hilltops of Hawaii.
While this makes for excitement for the school children affected in the Northeastern and Southern parts of the country—many of whom can still be found sledding through their neighborhoods today (and who likely received a reprieve from school for at least a day or two!)—this winter weather can be deadly for the elderly.
While those among us who live in the “sandwich generation” are already trying to manage the daily conundrum of caring for our own families as well as our aging parents’ and their daily tasks, an emergency, such as a weather occurrence, brings to fore the need for an emergency plan for the elderly:
- Keep a week’s supply of extra medication — and written dosage instructions — in an emergency supply kit for your mom and/or dad. Make sure this kit is located in an easy-to-find spot, such as the kitchen.
- Stock the pantry with easy-to-open, non-perishable, high-protein snacks and foods such as canned fish and meats, dried fruits and nuts, energy and protein bars, etc., for just such an occasion.
- Keep plenty of flashlights (NOT CANDLES) in drawers throughout your parents’ house. Change the batteries twice a year, the same days we turn the clocks.
- Keep a battery-powered radio in your parents’ home.
- Make prior arrangements with a neighbor or friend of your parents’ who lives within walking distance and who can be trusted to check on your mom and dad in the event of a weather occurrence. Make certain this person has a key to their home, as well as a copy of your parents’ medicines and dosages sheet.
- Call your local police department’s NON-emergency line to have your parents added to their welfare checklist.
Make these arrangements as soon as possible. Mother nature waits for no one!
All the best,
Scott
[Rabbi Scott Saulson, Ph.D.]
