Home Care Walpole MA
September is National Preparedness Month. This is the ideal time for you to work with your aging parent to help them feel more prepared and confident for the possibility of an emergency or disaster situation so that should such an experience occur, they are better prepared to handle it. While much of preparing for an emergency or disaster is about making sure that your loved one is ready for the challenges that can come with such an event by gathering supplies and knowing how to evacuate, this is not the only issue you must confront. Preparedness is also about helping your parent know how to respond after a disaster in order to keep themselves healthy and safe.
One issue that your parent will have to face after an emergency or disaster requires an evacuation is returning home. It is important that they take the time to carefully evaluate their home to determine if it is safe. Even if the outside of the home seems safe and secure, it is important to note that there may be dangers inside.
Use these tips to help evaluate your parent’s home after a disaster to ensure they are safe prior to settling back in:
• Check for gas. If you notice the smell of natural gas or hear a blowing sound, there may be a gas leak. Open the windows and get out of the house as quickly as possible. Contact the gas company or emergency services and do not reenter the home until they have come and resolved the situation.
• Look for structural integrity. Go through every room of the home and check for issues to the structural integrity of the home that could indicate that there is a potential danger. This could mean cracks in the ceiling or walls, sagging in the ceiling, cracks in the chimney or fireplace, or any other indication that the home has been damaged to the point that it might collapse. If you notice any of these issues, leave the home immediately.
• Check the electrical system. Check on appliances, wires, and circuit boxes to ensure that they are not wet. Do not touch any that appear to be wet or that are frayed, broken, sparking, or otherwise damaged. Consider having an electrician check the home to ensure it is safe.
If your parent has recently been involved in a disaster or emergency situation and you do not feel confident that they got through it in the best way possible, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting home care for them. An in-home senior care services provider can provide a personalized approach to support, care, assistance, and encouragement tailored to their individual challenges and limitations. This can include helping them to prepare for the event of another emergency or disaster, working through their emotions related to what they have gone through, and encouraging them to get back into a routine that is comfortable and beneficial for them as soon as possible. If they have had to transition into a new home due to damage resulting from the emergency or disaster, this home care provider can help your parent to settle into their new surroundings and get accustomed to this new chapter in their life.
Source: https://www.ready.gov/returning-home
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Walpole MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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