What plans have your and your dad set if there’s an emergency? If his pipes burst and he doesn’t have water or his power goes out for days, have you come up with arrangements to keep him safe? Emergency plans are essential at any age, but many adults forget to consider them when their elderly parent decides to age at home.

Situations That Call For Emergency Plans

There are many situations where an emergency plan is useful

-Your dad’s home is on fire. Does he know how to get out safely and how far away to stand? If one of his evacuation routes is blocked by fire, does he have at least one alternate route? Does he have a neighbor he can go to and call emergency services? These are all things that should be discussed when creating a plan.

-In bitter cold temperatures, your dad’s propane tank runs out even though he’s on automatic delivery. It’s a holiday weekend and the emergency number is trying to get hold of a driver. Your dad’s pipes could freeze. Does he know what to do? Would he know to turn off the main water, drain pipes, and go to someone’s house to stay warm until his house is heated again?

-A storm with high winds knocked trees down and your dad has no power. His power company said it’s going to be at least a week without electricity. It’s too cold for your dad to stay in his house. Does he have somewhere he can go? If he has pets, what about them?

Tips for Creating a Plan

-When you’re creating emergency plans with your dad, you need to consider the main plan and a back-up. It’s best to have two options in case something goes wrong with the first plan. You may need to talk to your dad’s neighbors to see who would be willing to help.

-Plan for the unexpected. Your dad may think he’s safe from floods because he doesn’t live near a river. With very heavy rains, he might end up with water in his basement. Days of heavy snow may pile up more than average and put a strain on his roof. It’s best to consider it all when thinking about emergency situations.

–Once a plan is created, go over it to make sure your dad knows what to do and where to go in different situations. If he is dealing with dementia, someone needs to keep him safe. Make sure any family caregivers or home care professional has copies of these plans, too.

-Keeping your dad safe is important. As he ages, he may have slower reaction times in different events. Look into the services a caregiver provides. Caregivers can help with activities of daily living and be there for emergencies. Call a home care agency today to learn more.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in San Francisco, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today. 1.855.986.6647

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andy@hcprosonline.com

CEO at HomeCare Professionals

Andy Howardis a Bay Area Native who holds a BA in Political Science (University of Colorado at Boulder, ’97). After college Andy worked in the surging tech industry.His Grandmother however, would suffer a significant decline in health and ultimately needed in-home care. The experience of a loved one depending on outside help to age in place proved to be pivotal for Andy as he left the tech industry in 2002 for an opportunity in the home care world with a large provider. After having success in home care, but being frustrated by corporate constraints Andy founded HomeCare Professionals in 2005.He methodically built the company one client at a time by focusing on hiring quality caregivers to ensure positive outcomes. Currently Andy serves as the CEO of HomeCare Professionals and is also highly active in the non-profit organization California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) which advocates for a higher standard of in-home care for those who wish to remain living at home in California.

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