1. Aware Senior Care In-Service:
Safety, Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response

2. Caregiver’s Role Know how to maintain home safety
Know how to deliver services to your client, during and after a disaster
Know if you are required to get to or stay with your client during a disaster or emergency
As HC professionals we are obligated to:
Know how you will deliver services to your client, during and after a disaster
Know if you are required to stay with your client during a disaster (stay at clients home, transport to an evacuation route, or medical needs shelter)
Know how to handle electrical outages for medical equipment, keeping medicine cold, air conditioning, warmth and other needs

3. Safety Always keep the doors locked Turn on outside lights at dusk
Do not allow visitors into the house if you do not know them
Call the office if appliances need repair, lights are burned out, walkways need to be cleared
Call the office with any safety concerns when you are with the client
Be aware of your surroundings
Lock your car, valuables out of sight

4. Client Priority Levels
Each client is assigned a priority level from 1 - 3
Non essential client visits (Priority 2 and 3 clients) are cancelled or rescheduled during weather or other emergencies
Office staff works with the caregivers, clients and families to assure Priority 1 clients always have the services needed

5. Priority 1 Clients Clients who cannot be alone, must have a caregiver
Some priority 1 clients live with family- who are not able to provide care
Caregivers assigned to these clients understand:
They will not leave until they are relieved
Will make arrangements to get to the client no matter the weather/road conditions
Please ask to be reassigned if unable to do this

6. Emergency Survival Kit
We send letters to clients/families to prepare:
Vital documents
14 days medications
Special equipment and assistive devices
14 days of food, water and supplies
Emergency contact numbers
Flashlight
Cell Phones and Chargers
Blankets
• Vital documents in waterproof container (ID’s, medical insurance, DNR, HC POA)
14 days prescription and nonprescription medications and required delivery agents (needles, saline)
• Food
• Water (2 gallons/day per person)
Emergency Contact Numbers- family, neighbors, doctors, medical equipment companies, emergency services, healthcare agencies, emergency shelters, local government services
Flashlight
Cell Phones and Chargers
Blankets

7. Before A Disaster
ASC Office will contact the client’s families to prepare them
Look around the house to ensure there is a flashlight, extra blankets, non perishable food, water
Charge your phone
Know which medications require refrigeration
Maintain access to your household and vehicle keys
Know the difference: Watch vs. Warning
Blackouts
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Pandemics
Know which medications require refrigeration, and keep them cool by ensuring the fridge is sealed shut Store extra batteries for life-sustaining or assisted living equipment and devices
Know how to operate manual release levers for electrically operated equipment, devices, doors or etc.
Maintain access to your household and vehicle keys (vehicles with ½ tank gas)
Secure property and windows
Know the difference: Watch- event is possible, remain alert; Warning- event has been sighted or indicated by radar, take shelter immediately

8. During A Disaster Use flash lights for emergency lighting only
keep refrigerator and freezer sealed to maintain food and medication
Use standard phone or cell phone for emergencies only
Use 911 for life-threatening emergencies
Listen to battery operated TV or radio for updates
Tornado- go to lower level, door frames away from windows and corners
Call the office for help
Use flash lights for emergency lighting only
keep refrigerator and freezer sealed to maintain food and medication
Do not run generators inside the house or garage
Use 911 for life-threatening emergencies
Use standard phone or cell phone for emergencies only
Turn off propane tanks, gas, ventilation systems, or water if indicated
Listen to battery operated TV or radio for updates
Tornado- go to lower level if have, door frames away from windows and corners, cars wear seatbelt and place head in-between legs
Pandemics- use Standard Precautions, disinfect contaminated areas take antivirals as prescribed