There are many benefits to living in Florida, especially during the senior years. While everyday weather conditions can make senior life a healthy, enjoyable experience, hurricane season can present special problems and concerns. Fortunately, there are steps seniors can take to stay safe during major storms.
You Can Learn From The Past
Florida has been affected by 79 cyclones during the 21st century. Subtropical Storm Alberto was the most recent storm, occurring in May, 2018. Its effects to Florida included 45 mph winds.
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Hurricane Irma, occurring in 2017, resulted in a state of emergency being declared by Governor Rick Scott. State offices and schools were closed, and hundreds of shelters were opened throughout the state. Approximately 6.5 million people evacuated, and thousands of National Guard troops were placed on duty. With 112 mph winds and significant flooding, much of the state was without electricity. There were at least 84 deaths in Florida from Hurricane Irma.
While hurricane season officially lasts from June 1st to November 30th, this is not a guarantee that major storms cannot occur at other times of the year. Every senior, their families, and their caregivers can take sensible precautions for safety, even during the off-season months.
Prepare For Evacuation
At its worst, you may need to leave your home for the sake of your safety and your life. When a storm is approaching, always stay tuned to your local news and weather reports. A battery-operated radio is ideal because a sudden power outage can affect your television and computers. Find your home address on both the FEMA flood map and your county’s evacuation zone.
Have a plan for what to do if your home address is within these zones. Do not wait for a storm before making solid plans to evacuate. It is better if you do not try to evacuate alone. If you do not have a trustworthy relative or neighbor nearby, make preparations well in advance by contacting either the Florida Special Needs Registry or Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs. You can receive emergency assistance if your name is on one of these lists.
Protect Your Home
Personal safety is not the only issue related to hurricanes and other storms. You also want to protect your home. Even if you must leave home until the danger is over, you want a home to return to after the storm.
You can protect your home and your valuable possessions with flood insurance. It is an important investment for the senior citizen who lives in Florida. Insurance can help you rebuild your home after it has been damaged.
Preparation For Emergency Situations
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While you should always cooperate with the authorities if you are advised to evacuate, you may not be required to leave your home during every storm. Emergency supplies can help an elderly person stay safe in his own home if he does not need to leave. Advance preparation is the key to safety.
There are steps you can take to keep your home safe. One example is to consider the likelihood of a power outage. Even during a minor storm, you may be without power for an extended period of time. One of the most useful investments you can make is a portable home generator. With a generator, perishable food will stay fresh in your refrigerator or freezer, and it is the safest way to have light in your home during a power outage. You will not need to rely on flashlights, candles, or kerosene lamps during the nighttime. A generator can help you avoid accidents.
A second example is to secure objects throughout your home. High winds can cause damage, but you can also be injured if objects fall on you. Consider freestanding cabinets and bookcases, and objects that hang from the wall or ceiling. All of these objects should be tightly secured so they do not jar loose and fall when high winds hit your home.
What Do You Need During Hurricane Season?
When you think of preparation, there is a wide variety of supplies you should have in your home for your health, safety, and comfort. They should be stored in containers that cannot be damaged, in an area that is easy to access. Choose a dry, cool place to store your supplies. You can also consider an extra set of some supplies for your car, in case you need to leave home quickly.
Store important documents in a waterproof container. Some examples include your birth certificate, social security card, healthcare directives, insurance policies, and phone numbers for your doctors and family members.
You can buy a ready-made first aid kit, but there are other health supplies that you may need. It is recommended a senior citizen have a two-week supply of prescription medications, as well as medical supplies and over the counter products. Examples include anti-diarrhea medication and aspirin. If you are unsure of how to obtain extra prescription medications, talk to your personal physician.
If you can stay in your home during storms, you will need plenty of fresh water and non-perishable food. More than one gallon of water each day is recommended. Make sure the water is in unbreakable containers. As you may not be able to use your stove or microwave, choose foods that require little to no preparation. The foods should have a long shelf-life, and the containers should resist damage. As an example, you can find many tasty, nutritious products in the form of MRE. Meals Ready to Eat include snacks and beverages, too.
Cleanliness is important for health and comfort. In addition to extra water for cleaning and personal grooming, pack a supply of moist towelettes. Have garbage bags that tie so you have a sanitary way to dispose of trash and litter.
Sleeping bags or extra blankets can be kept in your home and car. Plastic utensils and paper plates and cups are easier to manage than your usual household items in emergency situations. You should also have a supply of matches, a working fire extinguisher, flashlights and fresh batteries, a manual can opener, extra cash, and a duffel bag with at least one full set of clothing, rain gear, and sturdy shoes.
If you have a pet, prepare for his needs, too. Depending on the type of pet you have, this may include extra water, pet food, and various other supplies.
If you are secure in your home during storms, do not attempt to venture outdoors. As you do not want to encounter wind or a flood outdoors, consider entertainment supplies when you are making preparations. Books, magazines, paper, pencils, and booklets of puzzles are some ideas for staying busy when you are home alone during a storm.
Connections For Safety And Peace Of Mind
Elderly persons who live alone can be especially vulnerable during storms and other emergency situations. Do not wait until a storm is on its way to create a support network. Your cell phone is one of the most important devices during storms, but it is only useful if people can be contacted.
Choose people you know you can count on for your support network. Friends, neighbors, family members and your doctor are some examples. Avoid limiting your contacts to one or two names, as you cannot know in advance who will be available. Discuss emergency preparations with each person in your support network. While some may be able to offer assistance or advice, others can provide emotional support. When you are home alone during a storm, a caring voice can mean peace of mind. It can make all the difference in the world to know someone is there, even if you only chat for a while.
Plan To Use Common Sense
If you are like most seniors who live in their own homes, your home is the place where you feel safe and comfortable. Even during an emergency, you do not necessarily want to leave. As safety is the most important factor, though, plan to cooperate with the authorities.
Make a commitment to do what you are advised to do, even if it means evacuation. During a severe storm, you will be much safer in a shelter, or in a different location altogether. As you should be tuned in to the news and weather reports, follow advice for evacuation.
This part of the plan should include knowing where to go if you are advised to leave your home. Check a map so you know the location of the shelter. If you are advised to leave the area entirely, be familiar with the roads leading out of your city and choose an appropriate transportation method. You do not want to become trapped if the roads have become unsafe.
Storms Can Occur At Any Time
You are not necessarily safe simply because it is not peak season for hurricanes. Storms with high winds and flooding can disrupt your life. This is why you should always be prepared.
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Even if no emergencies occur, check periodically to make sure you have supplies. Make sure food, medicine, and other products that have expiration dates are fresh, and replace all products that have expired. Make sure all of your emergency supplies are in an easily-accessible area of your home, and that your supplies are all fresh, clean, and stored away from sources of moisture. Everything you need will be ready before the next storm arrives.
Life For A Senior Citizen In Florida
Boca Raton is one of the nicest places you can live when you are in your golden years. Whether you are a young senior or elderly, Palm Beach County has much to offer. You can thoroughly enjoy your senior years with nearly limitless activities, beautiful weather, and good friends.
Hurricane season is one of the few drawbacks of living in this exciting part of the state. However, you do not need to choose between worrying about storms every day and moving to a less ideal location. With sensible preparations, life in Florida can work for you.
You have many people in your life who are willing and able to help. You do not need to take on all the decisions and the process of preparation alone. You can ask for assistance or advice from your loved ones, your doctor, and your home health aide. All of these people care about you, and will be glad to lend a hand.
You can get through hurricane season with the least amount of worry, and the least amount of difficulty. If a severe storm does hit Boca Raton, you will be prepared. While too many people lost their lives or their homes during storms in the past, a tragedy does not need to happen to you. Whether you go to a shelter or stay in your home for the duration of the storm, you can be safe, healthy, and confident because you are prepared.