5. Emergency Communication Mechanisms: Communities can establish a telephone “hotline” for high risk/vulnerable seniors to call for information, advice and support during an environmental emergency or use a mechanism such as a reverse 9-1-1 line. Advice can be available about how to minimize health effects of a heat wave, for example, such as drinking water rather than tea and coffee, which are diuretics, as well as using cooling devices such as fans, water spray bottles, cool showers, air conditioners, the location of cooling centres, etc. A hotline can also provide information about how to maintain medications such as nitro-glycerine and insulin during and after a heat wave, since their properties can be altered if not properly refrigerated.
6. Emergency Transportation: Local car rental companies or taxi fleets can be engaged to volunteer to transport high risk/vulnerable seniors to cooling centres and to deliver fans or other cooling devices to their homes.
During the Emergency (Response)
1. Information and Communication: It is vital to maintain ongoing communication links with at-risk seniors who are isolated or who may be anxious about family members at other locations. Factual information about the true nature and extent of the emergency will assist seniors to make realistic plans and decisions. It will also be important to monitor potential schemes that single out high risk, vulnerable seniors.
2. Health Care: In addition to having a community “high-risk” registry, a triage system should be activated to prioritize health care needs. A number of chronic health conditions may place seniors at high risk during environmental emergencies, including diabetes, asthma, allergies, cardiac problems, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, physical, mental and developmental disabilities, and loss of hearing or vision. Many of these conditions may be exacerbated during crisis conditions because of dependency on a medication regimen to control symptoms. For example, persons with mental health problems or dementias may become confused and agitated by the absence of their regular routines and will need special attention.
Seniors who have recently been discharged from an acute care setting, and those who are on regular dialysis or receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy need access to ongoing health care and medical services. Seniors who are dependent on a regular medication regimen will need continued access to prescribed pharmaceuticals. Others may require access to special equipment such as oxygen.
Seniors with special dietary needs (for example low-salt, no-fat, gluten-free, lactose-free meals), as well as seniors whose diet is determined by spiritual or cultural beliefs will need access to appropriate nutrition. Seniors who are dependent on alcohol or tobacco may require assistance in order to avoid symptoms of withdrawal at a time of added stress.
3. Psychosocial Support and Counselling: A number of social factors and attitudes may place some seniors at high risk during an environmental emergency. Social and personal support systems may be compromised, with normal supports unavailable. Social isolation is a major risk factor for seniors who live alone, are housebound or isolated by their ethno-cultural background and other factors such as low literacy levels. Seniors who live in poverty and have challenges related to mobility and transportation may also be disengaged from their communities, diminishing their ability to prepare for emergencies.
