The start of Hurricane Season began on June 1, and now more than ever older adults need to be prepared for severe weather. We are looking at unprecedented challenges for this Hurricane Season as health officials continue to encourage stay-at-home orders and limit travel for those over 65.
At Advocate Health Advisors, we encourage older Americans to be prepared, and it will be particularly important this season when Covid-19 is complicating the best of plans.
Advocate Health Advisors agents are Medicare experts who serve as trusted advisors for those who are Medicare eligible and specialize in helping those turning 65. The company has agents in all 50 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Having set plans in place for hurricane season can mean the difference between life and death. Advocate Health Advisors can help Americans ensure they have the right Medicare plan in place. And to help seniors prepare for Hurricane Season, Advocate Health Advisors has compiled a list of 10 tips from Ready.gov and the CDC:
- Find out if you live in an evacuation zone. If you do, now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Keep in mind, your shelter location may be different this year due to COVID-19. Be sure to account for pets in your evacuation plan.
- The CDC recommends being prepared with at least two cloth face covering for each family member in the event you need to evacuate. (Children under 2 and those having trouble breathing should not wear face coverings). Also, be sure to have hand sanitizer.
- Prepare a First Aid kit, including your medical insurance & Medicaid/Medicare cards and copies of prescriptions that can be refilled for up to six months. Also include an up-to-date list of all prescription medications and necessary medical supplies. Write down dosing instructions, the names of generic equivalents, and known allergies. Gather your vital documents and records and make duplicate copies to be stored in a weatherproof container – or place them on a password-protected memory stick.
- It could be difficult to fill prescriptions after a large-scale disaster, That’s why it is important that you take action to prepare and protect the prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins you need before hurricane season. Protect yourself and others when filling prescriptions by limiting in-person visits to the pharmacy. Sign up for mail order delivery or call-in your prescription ahead of time and use drive-thru windows or curbside pickup if available.
- Create a support network of family, friends and others who can assist you during an emergency and share your disaster plans with them. Practice your plan with them.
- Make sure someone in your support network has an extra key to your home and that they know where you keep your emergency supplies. If you have a communication-related disability, note the best way to communicate with you.
- If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify back-up service providers.
- You will need supplies to get through a storm and for the unpleasant aftermath. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of three days. Electricity and water could be out for at least that long.
- You also will need extra cash, a battery-powered radio and flashlights. You may need a portable crank or solar-powered USB charger for your cell phones.
- A disaster can disrupt mail service for days or weeks. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is a simple, important way to protect yourself financially before disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recommends direct deposit to a checking or savings account. If you get federal benefits, you can sign up by calling 800-333-1795 or sign up online.
Karen McAllister
Public Relations Specialist
M: 813-503-0365
Karen.McAllister@advocatehealthllc.com
