Disaster preparedness and chronic illness
It’s hurricane season, but any time is a good time to check on your family’s disaster preparedness plan.
Those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes need to pay special attention to what they would do without their medicine or supplies.
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and Olympic skier Kris Freeman who has Type 1 diabetes offers tips on how people with diabetes can be prepared for an emergency by stressing the importance of having on-hand:
* An emergency kit that contains basics like a radio, flashlights, batteries, whistles,food, water and a list of emergency contacts
* At least one week of supplies in a central locations
* A few ice packs to keep insulin cool
* A kit of diabetes supplies, including blood testing supplies, health insurance cards, copies of your prescriptions, a glucagon kit and fast-acting carbohydrates.
Take a moment to plan what you would do to manage yours or a loved one’s condition in the event of a disaster. Also, be sure that any aging friends or relatives living away from you are prepared and their supplies are updated.
Planning & preparedness is one of the toughest things to make yourself do — though it’s really simple. (I know that, though my wife and I have done little planning with our kids, other than if a fire breaks out. So, we have to work on it!)
That information is very helpful and something everyone can take from. It seems — particularly post Katrina — that more companies are offering kits to help people prepare. I’ve seen a bunch at the grocery store (more first aid type, though). The American Red Cross offers several types.
A former client (with a former employer) offers a wide array of emergency kits (auto, at school, home/apartment, military, etc.). I’m not paid by the company, but know the owner is a good guy with a good heart. The company is World Prep.
–Mike