The medically vulnerable can be considered people with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or poor health, and need assistance with everyday activities at times. The elderly that may not have chronic problems, but have difficulty getting to the stores to shop can be included in this group for the purpose of this post.
Family and neighbors are who you need to consider, and if you are in this category and reading this you need to find someone who is willing to assist you in building your emergency supplies.
The reason I decided that this is something that needs to be discussed is a study I came across the other day that discussed the preparedness of the medically vulnerable for emergencies. The study was done in six states between 2006 and 2008 with the data compiled in 2010. The study data is old, and I hope more people that this study was based on is now more prepared than the time frame of the study, but if not maybe this will help get people moving in the right direction.
What The Study Showed
The data that was gathered was based on this group having 4 preparedness items of a flashlight, food, water, and an emergency radio. They also wanted to see if there were evacuation plans and medication for three days. Most all had the medication as this would seem to be a given to me. I mean if you are prescribed medications to take, you are going to have those medications on hand and refill said medications before you get down to a three-day supply or lower so this part of the study seems unimportant with being prepared for an emergency.
What the study did show and what I think is important to take away from it, is that the medically vulnerable group was less likely to have the four items listed earlier, nor an evacuation plan compared to their healthier counterparts. I will not bore you with the numbers, but if you would like to read the study you can find it here.
The conclusion of the study was that this group should be targeted to increase awareness and readiness for emergencies, which is what I want to do with this post.
Why It Is Important
It is very unlikely that we do not know someone who would fit into the medically vulnerable category so we need to think about who we might know that we can check on to assist with their preps to ensure they too can survive an emergency or disaster. This group cannot go out and get these needed items easily, so it is up to us to ensure they have what they need. You might argue that they could order and have delivered emergency supplies, but there may be a funding issue especially for retired people living on a tight budget and already struggling with day to day needs.
What we can do is get these items and give them to our neighbors and family that way we know they have a better shot of surviving a disaster that without these items. I am not saying get the best flashlight or radio, or buy a large 72-hour food kit or even a 72-hour survival kit. What I want you to do is get a decent flashlight and maybe some batteries for the flashlight, buy a few extra cans of food when you grocery shop, find a good weather radio that is not too expensive but will work during an emergency so they can get information. You can also get extra water for them cheap at the store if you just buy a gallon along.
Over time with small purchases you can help build an emergency supply for your family member or neighbor. They may be in a position to reimburse you for your trouble, and you can know that they have a better chance of surviving an emergency than they did before you assisted them.
An evacuation plan may be more difficult for you to assist with as they may not be able to drive or even get into a vehicle, but discussing what options are available with them will be better than nothing. You may have to include them in your evacuation plans, but that is something you will have to discuss with your group. You may not have room for them and it would tax your supplies, so consider this fully before adding to your evacuation group.
Overcoming The Reluctance to Prepare
You may have to convince your family or neighbor to actually be prepared for emergencies, but with the few items recommended here to have on hand is small enough that you can convince them to at least have the minimum. I of course recommend having much more on hand for emergencies and disasters, but when you face resistance, the few items will be easy to get in and you will know they have the basics.
You may have to take the time to explain why you want to help and ensure they have what they may need, and this is fine. Not everyone understands the importance of being prepared even with just basic supplies, so take the time to do this if you need to. If you still get resistance, then move on. You did what you could to assist them, but some people do not want help and may be suspicious of what you are trying to do.
If you make an effort to help, but it is unwanted, just know that you tried. I would keep checking on these people just to make sure they did not change their mind and are afraid to ask you back, but don’t push them.
You Probably Know Someone So Help Them
It is important that we are prepared, but there are groups that may not be able to do the same. If you know someone that may fit in this group then try to reach out and help them. You may also know others who might be in a position that puts them in a vulnerable situation during emergencies because they cannot get the basic supplies, so go out and assist them if you are able.
Passing on the importance of being prepared for emergencies and disasters to the people around you is a duty that you should fulfill. I try to pass my knowledge on through this site and my post, but I also take the time to talk with people who I come in contact with on being prepared, and why they should start.
We owe it to people to help them survive. We cannot save everyone around us, but we can give the information to people and let them decide. We can assist when needed. I am not saying give up what you have for your survival, but give others the tools so that they are responsible for their own survival, because they are.
The more people we inform about the importance of having some items for emergencies the better survival rates will be for these emergencies. We will not have to watch our neighbors or family suffer or possibly die from situations that could have been prevented with a little preparedness
Conclusion
Look around your neighborhood and think about your family members, see who you might need to check on and make sure they have the basics to survive an emergency or disaster and then help them get what they don’t have. A little good will can go a long way.
I look forward to feedback on all my post, so if you have any questions or suggestions, I welcome them. If you have helped someone get prepared that fits this discussion then I would love to hear what you did to help, so please share with me.
As always, Happy Prepping!
