By Dr. Jaren Trost Senior Medical Director, Optum New Mexico
Weather and climate disasters are on the rise. In 2021, there were 20 extreme weather and climate events in the United States, triple the average number of events 15 years earlier, according to research funded by the National Institute on Aging. These extreme events include droughts, heat waves, wildfires, and flooding – all of which impact New Mexico annually but especially this time of year, when monsoons and fires go hand-in-hand.
Research suggests that older adults are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of these disasters.
This is particularly true for those who have mobility issues, chronic health conditions or limited access to nearby family or friends for support. In addition, impaired hearing or vision and reduced cognitive abilities that come naturally as we age can make it more difficult for older New Mexicans to deal with serious and potentially deadly emergencies.
Unfortunately, the statistics show that not everyone is as prepared as they could be. According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) research, while 80 percent of respondents to the 2019 National Household survey said they had enough supplies to last three or more days, only 48 percent had an emergency action plan. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), creating an emergency action plan can help keep you and your family healthy, informed, calm, and connected in an emergency.
All it takes is five simple steps that can be remembered with the acronym ESCAP: Evaluate and prepare. Stock an emergency kit. Consider your medical needs. Seek Assistance. Plan for an efficient evacuation.
Step 1: Evaluate and prepare.
- Know which types of disasters tend to affect your area. For example, are you in a flood zone? Do you live near a forested area? Are you in a remote location?
- Talk with your family members and support network about developing an emergency action plan that includes important phone numbers and identifies at least two emergency meeting places, where your family can reunite if separated by an emergency.
- Post emergency phone numbers near your phones. These may include your physician, pediatrician, pharmacist, counselor, and veterinarian, as well as the Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990.
- Collect and protect important paperwork, such as: copies of insurance cards and medical records; vital records such as birth or death certificates; personal identification cards such as passports, driver’s licenses, and social security cards; lists of medications; and advance directives.
- Have a friend or relative who lives outside of the immediate area—preferably in another state—to be your family’s out-of-town contact.
- Make plans that include your pets before an emergency. Many evacuation shelters do not take pets so identify shelters that will accept animals or alternatives such as local relief organizations, or rescue groups.
- Microchip your pets. Microchipping is one of the best ways to ensure that you and your pet are reunited if you are separated. Be sure to keep the registration information up to date.
- Have multiple ways to communicate with friends, family, caretakers, and your out-of-town contact during an emergency. In many cases, text messages will go through when a phone call may not.
Step 2: Stock an emergency kit
Check with Ready.gov for more information on building an emergency supply kit. Meantime here are some basic tips to protect your physical, mental and emotional health and safety during an emergency:
- Have at least one gallon of water per day for each person and each pet, non-perishable food.
- Keep an emergency food supply, including specialty foods for people with dietary restrictions, food allergies and sensitivities, and medical conditions, such as diabetes.
- Have operable electronics, such as a phone charger, flashlight and battery-operated radio.
- If you have pets, remember to include their food and vaccination records.
Step 3: Consider your medical needs
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how you can create an emergency supply of medicines, and keep a list of your prescription medicines that includes information about your diagnosis, dosage frequency, medical supply needs and allergies.
- gov advises having enough of your medication to last for at least three days.
- For your emergency kit, don’t forget prescription eyeglasses, wheelchairs and walkers, as well as batteries for hearing aids or other medical devices.
- Consider stocking it with supplies such as hand sanitizer; tweezers and scissors; non-latex gloves; a thermometer; waterproof bandages and gauze; antibiotic cream and ointment; supplies for pets or infants; catheters; syringes; blood test strips; a blood sugar monitor; contact lenses and disinfectant solution; and an Epinephrine autoinjector (EPI pen)
Step 4: Seek assistance.
When you feel as though you are missing information, you may become more stressed or nervous.
- Sign up to receive local emergency alerts and notifications.
- Turn on the wireless emergency alerts feature on your smartphone.
- Know before you go. There is basic information you should know before evacuation such as: CDC travel notices; designated evacuation zones and routes; the local weather forecast; and the local air quality forecast.
Step 5: Plan for an Evacuation
Plan how you will leave, what your evacuation route would be and where you will go during an evacuation.
- If you have medical, transportation, or other access needs during an emergency, consider signing up for SMART911, Code Red, or your local county registry, depending upon which service your area uses to helps first responders identify people who may need assistance right away.
- Review how you would escape from your home, should that become necessary.
- Review your community’s evacuation plan and decide on transportation ahead of time, if needed.
- Know how to turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if evacuation appears necessary.
- Plan where you and your pets will stay in case you need to evacuate your home.
- Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full in case evacuation is necessary.
When services and supplies are limited, it is important to have personal hygiene needs, prescriptions, paperwork, and power sources on hand and the skills required to respond, the CDC says. The bottom line is – be prepared.
Our team of medical and health experts at Optum New Mexico approach well-being through prevention, evaluation, and treatments, as needed. For more detailed information and recommendations, consult the CDC website at Plan Ahead for Disasters | Ready.gov.
