Summer preparedness

[lgelb]

Seeing this article reminded me that hurricane/summer travel season is coming...with fewer resources available all around for people in the US with disabilities. So a few suggestions:

--Keep your backup BiPAP battery charged
--If you travel by ferry at all, get a "priority boarding" form filled out by your doc
--If you travel in your own vehicle, get a disability hangtag
--If you're on grid and use any equipment (bed, lift, wheelchair, BiPAP, suction) that plugs into the wall, fill out a "priority power restoration" form from your power company
--If your state has them, complete a POLST for your fridge and upload it to your doctors' patient portal
--Many portals also let you upload your health care PoA and advance directive. If not, keep copies at the bedside and on your phone, and make sure the fact that you have them, with contact information for the CALS, is in your medical profile
--Have extra meds/water (including distilled water for your BiPAP humidifier)/food/supplies on hand, a plan for where you would go if your place were uninhabitable for a while, and a go bag

 

[KimT]

Thanks for the reminder, Laurie. Our power went out for three days last year during a hurricane. I didn't evacuate but I had backup batteries for all my equipment. The lift chair one is really amazing. It lasted for a month (I tested it after the power went back on).

For non-evacuation power outages, if you don't have a generator or live in an apartment or condo, get good chargers for your phones and iPads. I also stocked with sardines, protein bars, protein drinks, etc. I bought the shelf-stable milk. My doctors have been very generous with prescription drugs, so I have that covered. I do have a freezer in my bedroom and this year I'll get a large battery pack to keep in going for awhile. It pretty much stayed cool for the three days.

The evacuation plan is important. Know where you're going and leave early.

 

[lgelb]

Good point about devices -- I have a rechargeable brick for our phones that I keep charged since we don't get a lot of sun here.

 

[lisa g]

We have 3 generators, 1 for the pool, 1 for the house essentials and a portable one for my equipment. We also have an extra bipap.I am registered in the medical emergency shelter should the need arise. They would pick up my husband and myself with all of the equipment that I would need and transport us to and from the shelter. Living in Florida with the threat of hurricanes its essential to have a plan.