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Disaster preparation = for seniors=20 includes having information, a plan and an emergency=20 kit.

Updated: Saturday, October 17, 2009 = 7:27 PM=20 PDT

By = KARLENE PONTI of=20 the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

Having a plan for an emergency = makes sense.=20 But when things are going smoothly, it=92s easy to = forget about=20 it. That means a sudden snowfall or big windstorm is = an=20 immediate reminder.

Remember last winter? This year = may not be=20 as severe, however it might be time to give it some = thought.=20 If you have to go somewhere important, to work, the = hospital=20 or somewhere else, make sure you have a full tank of = gas in=20 the car. If it=92s going to snow, check to see that = you have an=20 ice scraper, a shovel, a blanket, gloves and anything = else you=20 might need in the car as well. Actually check the car = for your=20 supplies, your grandkids may have used the ice scraper = for=20 something else. Your routine will be disrupted, but = planning=20 can help you keep the disruption to a = minimum.

For=20 seniors especially, make sure you have your = medications on=20 hand at home and anything else you might need, = including warm,=20 comfortable clothing and shoes.

Terry Hackney,=20 executive director at the Blue Mountain Chapter of the = Red=20 Cross said, =93The first thing you can do is get a = copy of our=20 booklet, Disaster Preparation by Seniors For Seniors. = That=92s a=20 good beginning.=94 According to Hackney, take three = main steps=20 in preparing for emergencies: Have an emergency kit, = plan and=20 be informed.

Emergency planning specifically = for=20 seniors is not that different from others, Hackney = said. =93Our=20 past experience, with the windstorm, we found that = seniors can=20 become isolated very quickly, if you don=92t have your = own=20 transportation. If you lose your heat, have plenty of = blankets=20 and warm clothing. Have a radio with a hand crank on = it. Some=20 even have a flashlight on one end. Or a weather radio, = be=20 informed about what=92s going on. They should also = have a list=20 of people they can call to stay in touch with loved = ones. I=20 hesitate to tell people to have cell phones because = cell=20 service can go out just like the land = lines.=94

Those=20 sentiments are echoed by Patty Foster-Choisser, Meals = on=20 Wheels Coordinator and Emergency Planner for the = Center at The=20 Park, =93We have a proactive plan, for emergencies, = especially=20 pandemic flu. We must not just wait and see.=94 She = said having=20 information and a plan will help relieve the stress of = being=20 afraid. To help seniors be prepared, the Meals on = Wheels=20 program delivers two emergency meals to be stored. If = the=20 electricity is out, they have emergency military = rations, that=20 don=92t require refrigeration.

There are a = variety of=20 organizations that can provide some help, everything = from home=20 delivered meals to help with chores. Call and ask for=20 information, find out what criteria the organization = has and=20 if you qualify.

At Seniors Helping Seniors, = owner Duane=20 Cinnamon said, =93We have a plan in place, if we have = a senior=20 citizen that needs something. If there=92s snow or ice = and our=20 care provider can=92t get there, I will do it myself. = I=92ve got a=20 four-wheel drive truck and chains. I will get there if = they=20 need something.=94

Harvey Crowder, = administrator at the=20 Walla Walla County Health Department agreed with = Hackney and=20 added, =93Have an emergency preparedness kit and be = sure to have=20 a two week supply of extra medication in it. You need = to have=20 water and a three day supply of food. Make sure you = know where=20 your medical records are and how to get a hold of your = doctor.=20 Have a family plan, make sure someone else also knows = where to=20 find it. Then there=92s my usual advice: be current on = all your=20 immunizations, including your annual influenza=20 immunization.=94

Director of Walla Walla County = Emergency=20 Management Gay Ernst added, =93For the seniors that = are on their=20 own at home, their connection with neighbors is = crucial.=94 She=20 said emergency supplies and a source of heat are also=20 important. =93You need food, warmth and a hand cranked = or=20 battery operated radio. It=92s really all the standard = stuff=20 everyone should do, but for seniors it=92s a little = more=20 critical to have someone watching out for them,=94 = Ernst said.=20 She also suggested that if you have to go out, be sure = to have=20 proper footwear.

With some advance planning you = can=20 stay safe and take fewer chances. According to = Volunteer Chore=20 Program Manager Robin Dowsett, that planning ahead = helps if=20 you want to volunteer to help others, as well. =93How = winter=20 affects our organization, our biggest problem is that = people=20 realize they want to help and it takes awhile to do = background=20 checks. We can=92t turn on a dime. I wish I had an = office full=20 of volunteers all ready to go.=94 So if you=92re = thinking about=20 helping out in the winter you can get started now. = =93When=20 you=92re inspired to volunteer, call that day before = you lose=20 the inspiration.=94

It=92s important to be = balanced and not=20 live in a constant state of panic, but giving some = thought to=20 what you would need or how you can assist in an = emergency will=20 help in a pinch.

Karlene Ponti can be reached by = calling=20 509-526-8324 or by e-mail at karleneponti@wwub.com.

H= elpful=20 Contacts

The Center at The Park,=20 509-527-3775

Red Cross, = 509-525-7380

Seniors=20 Helping Seniors, 509-876-2672

Volunteer Chore,=20 509-525-0572

Walla Walla County Health = Department,=20 509-524-2650=20