Seniors should prepare now for hurricane

As everyone knows, there are many senior citizens living on Marco Island. The most critical months of the hurricane season have begun. Forecasters have predicted a stormy summer.

Yet, fewer residents of the Southern coastal areas said they will evacuate this year compared to last if a threatening storm approaches, according to a recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health.

The study showed that 33 percent of residents would not evacuate, compared to 25 percent in last year’s survey.

Everyone, including seniors, should have an emergency plan in place before a dangerous storm hits Marco Island. Here’s some tips for preparing a plan.

Find out what your local government’s disaster/emergency plan is. For Marco Island, go to www.cityofmarcoisland.com, click on the “Local City Offices” link on the left column, scroll down and click on “Public Information,” scroll down and click on the highlighted word “Publications,” and scroll down to “Fire Rescue” and click on “Hurricane Preparedness Manual” to read or print it.

The manual has information about how it communicates with residents during a disaster. Forms of communication are the island’s Code Red alert, electronic e-mail service, media outlets and the Web site.

Also included are evacuation plans, preparing for pets and your property, evacuation routes and bridges and what to do after you evacuate. When to return to the island and how is also discussed.

The book also has information about what to do if you decide to stay.

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has developed a list of tips for seniors to prepare for a disaster.

Have a telephone communications plan to keep family members informed of what’s going on the island and your status. Give out-of-town relatives and friends your phone number and the numbers of your friends and neighbors on the island. If you’re unable to answer your phone, your family and friends can call your local contacts to relay information to you.

Designate two meeting places, one on the island and another nearby to meet your relatives and friends.

Make travel plans by talking to family members and deciding whether you would be able to drive off the island or need someone to pick you up.

If you have a chronic health problem, you may want to order and wear a medical ID bracelet. It displays your medical condition, drug and food allergies and emergency contacts.

Having emergency medical items in a kit is another recommendation by the AGS. Have a two-week supply of medications in their original packaging. If your insurance company only pays for a 30-day supply, you can ask your doctor for a vacation supply or extra prescription and pay for it out-of-pocket.

Medical equipment that you would need should also be part of the kit. Those items could include blood sugar monitoring equipment, blood pressure cuff, hearing aid batteries, a second pair of eyeglasses or contacts, ice packs or an insulated bag for medications.

You can include a copy of the drugs and doses you are taking and a copy of your medical records.

Store some other important items to take with you if you evacuate. Have a minimum of a three-day supply of drinking water, non-perishable food, can opener, flashlight, portable radio, waterproof matches, a knife, re-sealable plastic bags, aluminum foil, plates and utensils, disposable cups, maps, a change of clothes, phone numbers and ID papers, cash and hygiene products.

It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to preparing for a hurricane.