Emergency Planning for Home Care Aides

Contact Info, Roles, and Responsibilities

Beacon Home Care Offices:

Home Office: 1.888.973.7748

Management Hotline Office 1.510.526.2274

Disaster Planning Tips for Caregivers of the Elderly and People with Disabilities

The purpose of this document is to recommend specific strategies for you as the caregiver so you will be prepared for any natural disaster that may come your way.

Carefully review the details of the ‘Disaster Checklist’ included at the end. Feel free to print and share this plan with families as well.

Have a Plan

Although planning for a disaster can be frightening, having a plan in place can help you and the person you care for feel more secure. For caregivers, as for everyone else, it is important to have basic supplies available. The supply list available at the American Red Cross website serves as the model for many basic supply lists.

At the start of your shift

☐ Know two ways out of the home, where the safest interior shelter area is, and where the phone, keys, medication list, emergency contacts, and emergency supplies are kept.

☐ Check whether the client has needs that may affect emergency response, such as mobility limits, hearing or vision loss, memory problems, communication barriers, oxygen, refrigerated medications, or other medical devices.

☐ Know who to call: 911 or Hospice, BHC office, the client’s emergency contact, and the planned support person or evacuation location.

Create a Disaster Team

Caregivers often feel they are “on their own” during normal times, and this feeling may intensify during times of disaster when people are hurrying to take care of their own family and property. People will be more than glad to help, but they will need to know exactly what you need and when you need it.

Make Evacuation Plans

Evacuation can be complicated. Plan with families a “disaster team”. Develop an evacuation strategy with your “disaster team.” Consider the following:

Where are the nearest special needs emergency shelters? Remember you may not be able to reach the closest shelter, so know where the next closest one is located. Practice driving to both using different routes prior to storm warnings.
What supplies must you take with you? In addition to the supplies you would normally need for an evacuation, think of those things you use as a caregiver every day. Make a check list of special caregiving items such as incontinence items, pertinent medication, diabetic supplies, cleaning and sanitizing supplies, pill splitter or crusher, and thermometer. Secure a box or case to carry them in.
How many people are needed to help make the move? These people should be part of your disaster team. Know how to reach them.
Whom should you inform that you are evacuating? Let family members and the BHC MOD know immediately. If clients live in any kind of “complex” make the staff aware..
Keep your vehicle’s gas tank over ¾ full at all times.

Put It In Writing

Remember, in a disaster you may become separated from the person you provide care for. In case this happens, provide a written, detailed description of what the next care receiver will need (e.g., extra clothing and personal hygiene and/or incontinence products as well as medications). Provide very specific information about the person’s care, including tips for helping the care receiver remain calm or for helping them to calm themselves in times of stress or excitement.

Give copies of the list to the members of your caregiving team and place a copy where it can be easily found. Many people put this kind of information on a boldly written note securely taped to the front of the refrigerator. Emergency personnel know to look there and chances are good that the refrigerator will stay in place.

In addition, create an hour by hour description of a typical 24 hour day, include:

How the care receiver spends his or her time.
What is needed at each point in time.
How to provide for those needs.
Where the supplies are to meet those needs.

If there are caregiving tasks that occur every other day, or on a weekly basis, create a weekly calendar to describe those care needs.

Describe in detail how to help the care receiver handle stress and trauma:

Does talking or singing help? Is there a special story or song?
What possessions bring comfort (blanket, stuffed animal, etc.)? Where can they be found?
When is medication needed to help calm the care receiver?
Who is the care receiver most comfortable with if you are unavailable? How can they be contacted?

FAMILY CAREGIVER EMERGENCY CARE LIST

A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
A first-aid kit, prescription medicines, and an extra pair of glasses.
A supply of water (one gallon per person per day); store water in sealed, unbreakable containers and replace every six months; a supply of non-perishable food and a non-electric can opener, plus any special foods your loved one may require.
Include extra products like adult diapers, wipes, lotion, and other hygiene items that don’t need water in order to use.
Have extra wheelchair batteries charged and ready to go.
Have on-hand full oxygen tanks, extra medications, catheters, food for guide or service dogs, and any other special equipment needed.
A change of clothing and rain gear for your loved one, and sturdy shoes for you.
Extra blankets or sleeping bags.
The list of family physicians, relatives or friends who should be notified if you or your loved one are injured.
A list of the style and serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers or special batteries for essential medical equipment.
An extra set of car keys.

What should I do during an EARTHQUAKE?

If you are inside when the shaking starts…

Drop, cover and hold on. Move as little as possible.
If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.
Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.
Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. If you must leave the building after the shaking stops, use stairs rather than an elevator in case there are aftershocks, power outages or other damage.
Be aware that fire alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.

If you are outside when the shaking starts…

Find a clear spot and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops (away from buildings, power lines, trees, streetlights).
If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible. Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.
If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.
If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.

What do I do after an earthquake?

After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. Expect and prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides or even a tsunami. Tsunamis are often generated by earthquakes.
Each time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover and hold on. Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months following an earthquake.
Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before helping injured or trapped persons.
Put on long pants, a long sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects.
Look quickly for damage in and around the home and get everyone out if the home is unsafe.
Listen to a portable, battery operated or hand crank radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
Check the telephones in your home or workplace to see if you can get a dial tone. Make brief calls to report life threatening emergencies.
Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.
Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.
Help people who require special assistance, such as infants, children and the elderly or disabled.
Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and stay out of damaged areas.
Keep animals under your direct control.
Stay out of damaged buildings.
If you were away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so. Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors, staircases and windows for damage.
Be careful when driving after an earthquake and anticipate traffic light outages.

What do I do in case of FIRE?

Follow Your Escape Plan!

Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number.

If closed doors or handles are warm, use your second way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.
Crawl low under smoke.
Go to your outside meeting place and then call for help.
If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.

Use Caution with Fire Extinguishers

- Use a portable fire extinguisher ONLY if you have been trained by the fire department and in the following conditions:
  - The fire is confined to a small area, and is not growing.
  - The room is not filled with smoke.
  - Everyone has exited the building.
  - The fire department has been called.
- Remember the word PASS when using a fire extinguisher.

Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

- Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

CHEMICAL Emergencies

Chemicals are a natural and important part of our environment. Even though we often don’t think about it, we use chemicals every day. Chemicals help keep our food fresh and our bodies clean. They help our plants grow and fuel our cars. And chemicals make it possible for us to live longer, healthier lives.

Under certain conditions, chemicals can be poisonous or have a harmful effect on your health. Some chemicals which are safe, and even helpful in small amounts, can be harmful in larger quantities or under certain conditions.

Chemical accidents do happen . . . at home and in the community, and the American Red Cross wants you to be prepared.

How You May Be Exposed to a Chemical

You may be exposed to a chemical in three ways:

Breathing the chemical
Swallowing contaminated food, water, or medication
Touching the chemical, or coming into contact with clothing or things that have touched the chemical.

Remember, you may be exposed to chemicals even though you may not be able to see or smell anything unusual.

Chemical Accidents Can Be Prevented

Many people think of chemicals as only those substances used in manufacturing processes. But chemicals are found everywhere–in our kitchens, medicine cabinets, basements, and garages. In fact, most chemical accidents occur in our own homes. And they can be prevented.

Children and Poisoning

The most common home chemical emergencies involve small children eating medicines. Experts in the field of chemical manufacturing suggest taking hazardous materials out of sight could eliminate up to 75 percent of all poisoning of small children.

Keep all medicines, cosmetics, cleaning products, and other household chemicals out of sight and out of reach of children. If your child should eat or drink a non-food substance, find any containers immediately and take them to the phone. Call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) or Emergency Medical Services (EMS), or 9-1-1, if you have it in your area, or call the operator giving this information.

Follow their instructions carefully. Often the first aid advice found on containers may not be appropriate. So, do not give anything by mouth until you have been advised by medical professionals.

Beacon Home Care Disaster Checklist – If a disaster happens

Check for immediate danger.
☐ If there is fire, smoke, gas odor, structural damage, call 911 first. For serious injury, chest pain, breathing trouble, or another life-threatening emergency, call 911 or Hospice first. Give the exact address and describe the client’s age and care needs.
Protect life first.
☐ Stay with the client if it is safe to do so. Notify family and BHC staff
☐ Move away from the immediate hazard.
☐ Take the phone, medications, medical list, ID/insurance information, assistive devices, oxygen, charger, and keys if you can do so quickly and safely.
Decide: evacuate or shelter in place.
☐ Follow local alerts and official instructions. Notify family and Beacon Home Care staff
☐ Evacuate immediately if told to evacuate or if the home is unsafe.
☐ Shelter in place only if staying is safer than leaving.
Follow Beacon’s communication chain.
☐ Once the client is safe, call Notify family and BHC staff
☐ Then notify the client’s emergency contact/family per policy.
☐ Report: what happened, where you are, the client’s condition, and what help is needed.
Support the client’s specific needs.
☐ Speak calmly and explain what is happening.
☐ Bring glasses, hearing aids, dentures, mobility aids, communication devices, service animal items, and comfort items if available.
☐ Follow the client’s care plan and your scope of duties.
Protect medical needs during outages or evacuation.
☐ If the client uses oxygen, CPAP, a power wheelchair, refrigerated medicine, or other electricity-dependent equipment, use the backup plan or move to a safe location with power.
Do not re-enter a damaged home until it is declared safe.
☐ Watch for gas leaks, standing water, damaged wiring, broken glass, sagging ceilings/floors, and other hazards.
Document and report.
☐ Record the time, disaster type, client condition, who was notified, where the client was moved, and any follow-up needs.

Quick actions by emergency type

Fire or smoke
☐ Get out, stay out, call 911.
☐ Use stairs, not elevators.
☐ Do not go back inside.

Tornado or severe storm
☐ Go to a basement or small interior room on the lowest level.
☐ Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
☐ Protect the head and neck.

Earthquake
☐ Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
☐ If using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, lock the wheels and stay seated until the shaking stops.

Flooding
☐ Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
☐ Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
☐ Evacuate if told to do so.

Power outage
☐ Protect refrigerated medications and plan for medical devices that need electricity.
☐ Use a generator only outdoors and away from windows.
☐ Never use a stove or oven to heat the home.

Gas smell or hissing sound
☐ Leave immediately.
☐ Call the fire department or gas company from outside.
☐ Do not remain in the home.