Emergency Prep for Caregivers

Like a lot of caregivers, I spent most of yesterday doing #emergency prep. Some things had to be done advance, like stocking the bed pads and the adult wipes. I also did a lot of  cooking. But there are many tasks you can’t do until you’re in the middle of a crisis event like #Winter Storm Jonas.

Emergency Prep for Caregivers

Our original forecast called for 5-8 inches of snow. The weather man was wrong and in the end we got about 13 inches in our part of the Poconos. Though I’ve always tried to follow the guidelines for emergency prep, snow storms present a special challenge. So much of the situation is out of our control. Last week I filled the pantry and made sure we had my mom’s medical supplies. But we’re always in danger of losing power because we live in the woods. Heavy snow can break trees and damage the electrical lines. Once we lose power, we also lose water, because ours is pumped up from a deep well.

I need water to keep hands clean, wash dishes, and maintain sanitary conditions with someone who is incontinent. The last item is a big challenge if you don’t have running water. We have bottles of hand sanitizer and lots of wipes. But a faucet brimming with  hot water is hard to live without. I had to line the bathtub with large buckets and fill them all with water — just in case. Fortunately, we didn’t have to use them.

I’m also fortunate that we have good neighbors. Our house is in a remote place but the few people who live near us really help each other. One neighbor knocked on my door yesterday morning and said, “Meals on Wheels?” She brought us home made potato salad and a smile. Those smiles are worth a mint. After 24 hours of lifting my mom, clearing snow, and stoking the coal fire, I felt like a worn out wagon wheel. No aides could get to our house until this morning because our lane hadn’t been plowed.

Thank goodness the sun came out today. The snow looks a lot more friendly when those bright rays light it up. Many places got way more snow than we did and the safety challenges vary with geography. I hope all of you made it through the storm safely. Tell us your experience and please share if you have any good ideas about preparing for emergencies.

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