Winter Storm Preparedness: Persons With Functional And Access Needs

Winter and ice storms pose a major challenge to anyone with functional and access needs, especially if you use equipment that requires electricity. If you require dialysis, an oxygen tank or other intensive treatment, make emergency health care plans now. An ice storm can knock the power out for days.

Contact your primary health care provider, your insurance company or your medical equipment supplier for help in planning. Coordinate with a neighbor who can check on you daily. Individuals who require daily medications should have at least one week's worth of medicine on hand. Plan what you will do for medications that need to be refrigerated if the power is out. This check list will serve you well in any emergency.

• One-week supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of bottled water per person, per day, coolers for food and ice storage, manual can opener
• Supplies for a service animal including food, identification tags, proof of up-to-date vaccinations and veterinarian contact
• Credit cards and cash (with power out, banks and ATMs may not be available), extra blankets, warm clothing
• Cell phone, battery-operated radio, NOAA Weather Radio and extra batteries, hand crank radio, flashlight
• First aid kit, hearing aids and batteries, eye glasses
• Medical equipment and assistive devices (catheters, augmentative communication devices, cane, wheelchair, scooter, walker, dressing aids, oxygen, tubing, feeding supplies, drinking straws),extra batteries and chargers, hygiene supplies
• List of model numbers or serial numbers of medical devices and equipment
• Medical alert tags or bracelets and written description of your disability-related or health care conditions
• Medications and copies of all prescriptions, including a list of the prescription name, dosage, frequency, doctor and pharmacist
• Phone numbers and names of physicians and health care providers, health insurance information, emergency contact information including your support network.