While seniors in active living communities may have the ability to evacuate with little problem, as hurricane season begins for much of the Gulf and Southeastern U.S., seniors with less mobility may require special attention during weather emergencies.
For example, when moving to other areas in a car, seniors shou
ld be monitored for heat exhaustion, a condition which could be limited by keeping provisions of ice, water and a fan, according to Dr Jeff Kalina, Methodist Hospital associate director of emergency medicine.
The Houston-area physician added that not doing so could lead to extreme consequences, as some seniors fleeing from Hurricane Rita found out in 2005.
Similar to long-distance trips in airplanes, clots caused by deep vein thrombosis could be dangerous for seniors who are immobile during rides, so evacuating early and planning for rest stops could also be of benefit in an emergency, he adds.
For those on home-based oxygen systems, having a backup for power may limit the effect of possible power outages, even for those living in inland communities that could have electricity knocked out from high winds and rain.
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