Caregivers in Riverside CT

Being in the sandwich generation is not easy. This is the group of adults that are taking care of their children as well as their elderly parents. Being this type of caregiver means that you are taking on the needs of both of the generations while also taking care of yourself. This is challenging any time, but is even more difficult when you are facing the potential for a weather emergency.

Weather emergencies can become dangerous very quickly and it is important that you are properly prepared to ensure that your loved ones get through the storm as safely as possible. When you are in the sandwich generation you must ensure that both your children and your senior loved ones are included in your preparations.

Use these tips to help you feel more confident with your sandwich generation weather emergency preparations:

• Be aware. Knowing as much as you can about the impending weather emergency will help you to prepare properly for the experience. You should know what type of weather to expect, when it is expected to hit, and how long it is expected to last. This will help you to know when you need to be ready and the extent to which the storm might impact your family.

• Prepare them. Take the time to carefully explain the impending weather situation to both generations. Tell them what to expect and what they should do at each step of the situation. Make sure that you emphasize the safety measures you are taking to protect them and encourage them to participate in your preparation. Be careful not to frighten them or to overwhelm them with details as this can distract them from their ability to handle safety tasks.

• Gather supplies. Gather supplies for both generations that will help them get through the weather situation. Make an emergency kit with food, water, first aid supplies, medications, and personal care supplies such as extra clothing and toiletries. Make sure that this kit also includes flashlights, extra batteries, a radio, and a means of communication such as a mobile device and an emergency charger. These supplies can help them to manage if the power goes out and they are stranded in the home.

• Bring everyone together. If the weather emergency is expected to be severe, consider bringing your elderly loved one to stay in your home throughout the event. This will help to simplify the process of making sure everyone is safe, secure, and healthy throughout the storm. This can be especially helpful if there is a possibility that your family will need to evacuate the home to go to a shelter or another city. If you are in different homes, arranging for this evacuation and making sure everyone is safe can be a major challenge. This is especially true if your loved one has limitations or challenges that would make it difficult or impossible for him to get out of the home himself. Be sure that you let others within your care network know if you make this decision so that they do not worry about your parent or attempt to check in on him and realize that he is not at home.