Red Cross shares new tips for older adults and their families to get ready for disasters during the coronavirus pandemic
NEW JERSEY, September 11, 2020 — According to new research from the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and the American Academy of Nursing, older adults are more vulnerable and experience more casualties after a natural disaster compared to other age groups. That’s why this National Preparedness Month, the Red Cross encourages everyone, especially older adults, to get ready for emergencies.
Being prepared for disasters is important for people of all ages. But there are several factors that make older adults more vulnerable during a natural disaster:
“We all care deeply about the older adults in our lives, and during the pandemic they are more vulnerable than ever,” said Rosie Taravella, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey Region. “Now is the time to ask if they need help assessing their needs and making a plan, before an emergency occurs.”
PREPARE IN ADVANCE To be prepared, older adults should think about what they would do during a disaster before it occurs. Understand how your medical, physical and cognitive needs may affect your ability to respond if you had to stay in your home for two weeks or more or had to evacuate. Building a support network and identifying helpers such as family, friends, neighbors, caregivers and care providers who may be able to assist is vital. Older adults should meet with these supporters and decide how to communicate in an emergency.
Additional research findings and resources, including our new Disaster and Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults checklist and booklet, are available at redcross.org/olderadults.
DISASTERS DURING A PANDEMIC Preparing for emergencies is a little different this year, but the three basic action steps remain the same for everyone: Build a Kit, Make a Plan and Be Informed. Assemble two kits of emergency supplies (a stay-at-home kit and an evacuation kit) and a one-month supply of prescription medication. Include personal hygiene items, cleaning and disinfectant supplies and cloth face coverings. Some supplies may be hard to get due to the pandemic, and availability may worsen in a disaster, so start gathering supplies now.
Disasters can force people to leave their homes, even in areas under stay-at-home mandates. By having an emergency plan your family can react quickly if a disaster strikes.
Additional resources for preparing during the COVID-19 pandemic are available at redcross.org/coronavirus.
VIRTUAL PREPAREDNESS SESSIONS for all are available online by the Red Cross New Jersey Region. These free preparedness education sessions are designed to help adults and children understand, prepare for and respond appropriately to disasters big and small. People can learn to Be Red Cross Ready in 45 minutes with sessions available in both English and Spanish languages.
Prepare with Pedro is a 30-minute preparedness education program for children ages five through seven and their parents. While reading a story featuring a penguin named Pedro, children learn how to be better prepared and take action during emergencies.
September sessions focus on hurricane preparedness with home fire safety being the focus in October. More information about these free Virtual Preparedness Sessions can be found under About Us at redcross.org/NJ.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
About the American Red Cross in New Jersey:
The American Red Cross provides programs and services to a population of 8.8 million in New Jersey. The Red Cross trains and mobilizes more than 4,400 volunteers who support the delivery of services throughout the state. In New Jersey last year, the Red Cross responded to more than 820 local disasters, mostly home fires, helping 2,150 displaced families; collected more than 94,500 units of blood through blood drives and Red Cross Blood Donation Centers; provided more than 7,230 military family case services with emergency messages, helping families find assistance and/or get counseling and referrals; and trained 114,570 people with life-saving skills in preparedness, CPR, AED use, first aid and aquatics. For more information, please visit redcross.org/NJ and follow us on Twitter @NJRedCross.org.
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