KB Times
Katten & Benson, Your Elder Care Law Specialists
April 2011 - Vol 4, Issue 4
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| Did You Know? |
- An average of 1000 tornadoes hit the US each year
- Most tornadoes happen in the late afternoon and early evening
- Most tornadoes happen in May
National Climatic Data Center
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| K & B Happenings |
- If your church or civic group is looking for a speaker, we have a variety of topics we can present, including Medicaid, guardianship, VA benefits, how to choose a nursing home and how Medicare works. Give us a call today for more information.
- If you have been to our website, you may have noticed that it looks different. We've been working to make it more user friendly, so go check it out. We have started a new Katten & Benson blog, which you will find on the website.
- KB Times has been recognized again by Constant Contact as an All Star. This
 means that the newsletter meets best practice guidelines for email marketing.
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Emergency Planning
|  As I write this, it has been less than a month since the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan. One thing I wondered about as I read and watched the news coverage, was how older Japanese residents were impacted, and it seems that many did not fare well. I did read one article in the New York Times that talked about how the devastation and loss has evoked memories of WWII for older Japanese people. The article also talks about the difficulty some had with evacuating to higher ground before the tsunami hit.
This type of disaster is something that no one can ever be prepared for, but it seems like a good time to review what we might be able to do to better prepare for such calamity.
Ready America is a website by the Department of Homeland Security that has some great information, including information specific for older people. Here are some of their recommendations: - Get a kit of emergency supplies. Include in the kit 1 gallon of water per person per day, for at least 3 days. You should have non-perishable food for 3 days, and include a can opener. Have a battery-powered or hand crank radio for news and weather updates. You will want a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, and include your prescription medication. Other items recommended include a whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place, moist towelettes and trash bags for personal sanitation, pliers to turn off utilities and pet food and supplies for your pets. I would personally recommend keeping a list of all medications, with dosages, and a brief medical history.We learned after Hurricane Katrina that medical records can and do get lost.
It's also a good idea to keep copies of your own estate planning documents, as well as documents if you are an agent for anyone else in the kit. If we have done your planning, we keep scanned copies.
- Make a Plan. Identify those who will be able to help you. Consider alternate modes of transportation. Plan how you will communicate with family. Depending on the type of emergency, decide whether to stay or go. Think about your pets, and decide what is best for you. Not all shelters will allow pets. Share your plan with family members.
- Be informed. Be aware of the types of emergencies that might happen. Here in North Texas, we have tornado and severe weather to plan for. Recently we've had grassfires in our more rural areas, and some areas have seen severe flooding.
These are just a few steps you can take to make yourselves safer.
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| Molly's Musings | Hi, Everyone!
I wanted to follow with my own special disaster p reparedness comments about your pets. The ASPCA has some good information, so you know what to do to keep your four-legged friends safe. - Get a rescue alert sticker. Free pet safety packets can be ordered here.
- Arrange for safe shelter. As Kim mentioned, not all shelters will allow pets. Your vet might have local resources.
- Emergency supplies and travel kit. Keep an emergency kit with your own emergency kit. Include things like food, medications, water, cat litter, animal carriers, toys, leashes and blankets.
- Choose "designated" caregivers. If something happens to you, including a medical emergency that requires hospitalization, make sure you have someone that can step in and take care of your pets. Make sure they have a key so they can get in the house, and it helps if it's someone who knows your pet.
- Evacuation preparation. Keep emergency leashes and carriers close to the door. Make sure your pets wear collars and tags at all times. Make sure your name and contact information are on carriers. Bring pets indoors during severe weather.
- Geographic and climatic considerations. Know which rooms in your house are safest. Fill sinks and bathtubs with fresh water in case the water supply is impacted.
These tips will help you and your pets stay safe if we ever have a major disaster.
 Molly
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Don't forget that we are always here and ready to help with your long term care planning needs.
Sincerely,
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Kim Olmedo, LCSW, CCSM, CSW-G
Elder Care Coordinator
Katten & Benson
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