Another really good resource for preparing ahead for an unknown emergency or disaster is the National Safety Council - see National Safety Council

Both the Red Cross and the NSC make the suggestion to designate a contact person outside of the state that you live in. This is the person that you and everyone in your family will call to 'check in'. Think of this person as 'home base'.

You could actually take this a step further and arm the designated contact person with vital information that could actually ease some of the fears and frustrations of loosing virtually everything you have to disaster. A software program has been developed that is so easy to use and access that you will want to at least take a look at it.

An easy method to record and maintain vital records is through the software program called Life-Ledger. You record what medications you take, the name of your doctor, what you are allergic to, where you've stored original documents such as; insurance policies, title to the home, health care directives and so forth. Your contact person is provided the password to access all or part of this private record.

What if your mom lived alone in Florida and her community was hit by the wrath of a hurricane? She was evacuated to a local hospital and in shock. The hospital learns that you are the adult daughter, the next of kin and contacts you.

They will ask you what medications your mom is on, who her doctor is, and other questions regarding her health status. If you had the Life-Ledger you would simply provide the hospital with a password and they are able to print off all the information within seconds. This quick access to accurate information is just one of the many benefits of planning ahead by recording and then safely storing such details.

If your loved one lives alone ....

We receive most of our inquiry calls from the adult child. In order to properly assist the family we need to learn what the monthly income of the senior is, what assets there are, if there is a Power of Attorney, if mom has pre-planned her memorial service, what kind of medication, the attending physician, and so forth. We ask the same questions as any service will ask prior to contracting with them.

Nine times out of ten, the adult child does not know the answers to these questions. Many families are close guarded about their 'personal information' and won't let their adult children in on the facts. Yet, these family caregivers are taking on the responsibility of trying to put together services for their loved one. It is frustrating for this adult child.

If your loved one does live alone - or is dependent upon you for advice and assistance, this is the perfect time to broach the subject of disaster preparedness with him or her. Recent events have made this a topic of conversation and may be the 'in' you've been waiting for to discuss the what if's with a parent that has been reluctant to your offering of help and advice.

This is the opportune time to talk about all the other 'what if's' Ask your mom or dad, 'What if (God -forbid) you had an accident, a stroke or something else that left you unable to speak for yourself?' This is the platform to begin discussing health care directives, power of attorney and other legal documents that would give you, the trusted adult child, the legal right to speak on behalf of your mom or dad.

Find out where the original documents (deed to the house, insurance policies, stocks, bonds, etc.) are stored and recorded?

Great resources to help you walk through this process systematically with your mom and dad are in our Caregiver's Resource Page. The following are all Certified Senior Approved Services:

Preparation of Legal Documents - guided self-help all of the U.S In Ohio
Attorney Mary Ann Thomas - Elder Law, Probate, Wills, Living Wills, Estate Planning
Kevin Plank, Certified Financial Planner and Vicki Mannarino, CEBS Estate Planning, Elder Financial Advice, Long-term Care Health Insurance
Do it Now, an organizational workbook that helps you help your loved one to organize important papers - all of the U.S.
The Caregiver's Resource Kit - Empowers you with education, information and 'how to's' - all of the U.S.
Truce - a self-help book that shows you how to handle conflicts within the family and broach those subjects with your loved ones' that are often times embroiled with emotions
Life-Ledger - a safe secure method to record and maintain vital records (try it free for seven days - cancel any time, no contracts)
Complete Organizational Services - a service that will help you organize - these folks are experts at helping seniors work through the daunting task of finding out what's stored in those boxes in the attic, garage and basement.

Coming soon! For those of you that would like to advocate for senior safety within your community - the Coalition for Senior Safety Handbook is nearly ready for publication. This handbook provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to form a local community effort to help protect seniors against crime, abuse and to create a disaster preparedness program for your community. Be the first to learn of the release by going to Coalition for Senior Safety
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