Leading senior care franchise offers advice for older adults and their caregivers when hurricanes and other natural disasters threaten
Always Best Care Senior Services, one of the leading senior care franchise systems in the United States, has caregiving teams across the country who are focused on keeping seniors safe at home. An important part of that role is making sure these older adults are prepared for seasonal weather emergencies like hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes and other natural disasters that can strike at any time.
To further encourage emergency-preparedness during hurricane season and throughout the year, Always Best Care is sharing the following tips for older adults and their caregivers:
- Keep your home care agency’s number close by the phone in case you need assistance. If you are having a true emergency, call 9-1-1.
- Emergency kits are a smart idea for home and vehicle. A few extra considerations for seniors: include incontinence briefs, if needed. If your senior relies on special medical equipment such as eyeglasses, catheters, batteries or oxygen systems, stock up.
- If you require electric powered medical equipment and/or oxygen, notify your power company before an emergency and let them know you are at high risk during power outages.
- Keep flashlights and extra batteries in easily accessible places. Consider a battery-operated radio as well.
- Remove any trip hazards in the home, like worn carpeting or throw rugs with turned up corners, as these can be especially dangerous in the dark. Keep floors and hallways free of clutter and debris.
- Make sure you always have at least a week’s worth of medication on hand and organized for ease of use.
- Maintain an ample supply of water and non-perishable food.
- Gather medical records, including details about healthcare needs, insurance cards and emergency contact information. This should include a MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form and/or advance directives.
- If you need to evacuate – call your home care provider/agency right away. Inform the agency of your evacuation plan/shelter site. Bring your Medicare, Medicaid, and/or insurance card.
- If your loved one is in a nursing home or assisted living facility, make sure there is a plan for evacuation and that you are aware of the details.
“These and other safety measures can greatly reduce an older adult’s chances of injury during a power outage and keep them more comfortable during an emergency,” said Jake Brown, President and CEO of Always Best Care. “Because they are often depended on for continuity of care during catastrophic events, in-home care professionals can play a crucial role in disaster preparedness. Always Best Care caregivers have been trained to assess needs, prepare supplies and make a plan, which are all simple yet imperative measures to ensure seniors are ready in emergencies.”
Always Best Care is one of the nation’s leading providers of non-medical in-home care and assisted living referral services, with skilled home health care in limited markets. The company delivers its services through an international network of more than 225 independently owned and operated franchise territories throughout the United States and Canada. By working with case managers, social workers, discharge planners, doctors, and families, Always Best Care franchise owners provide affordable, comprehensive solutions that can be specifically matched to meet a client’s particular physical or social needs.
Franchise opportunities are available to individuals interested in leveraging the company’s clear strategy and proven track record for delivering affordable, dependable service to seniors in their local areas. For more information on available territories and franchising with Always Best Care, contact Sean Hart at [email protected], call 916-545-2786 or visit www.alwaysbestcare.com/franchising.
About Always Best Care
Founded in 1996, Always Best Care Senior Services is based on the belief that having the right people for
the right level of care means peace of mind for the client and family. Always Best Care has been assisting seniors with a wide range of conditions and personal needs for over 27 years and currently provides thousands of hours of care every year.
Always Best Care also offers exclusive programs such as Always in Touch, Balance Tracking System, remote patient monitoring and a 24/7 AI Virtual Care Agent. For more information regarding Always Best Care’s solutions, visit www.alwaysbestcare.com.
