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One way to ease the damage caused by a tornado, hurricane,
wildfire, or other natural disaster is to have a recovery plan in place before
disaster strikes.
Yet, according to a new survey from the Hartford Financial
Services Group, too few Americans have a plan in place, noticeably among those
50 and older. Only 25 percent of older adults have talked to their first line
of support, whether family members, friends, or neighbors, about what they
would need to do or have to do in the wake of a calamity.
This lack of preparation among older adults is one of the
findings in a study conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Hartford. The study revealed
that 94 percent of respondents say they would rely on someone to assist them
when preparing for or recovering from a natural disaster. However, only 26
percent say they have spoken to those closest to them about steps that would
need to be taken if disaster strikes.
According to Cynthia Hellyar, corporate gerontologist at the
Hartford, about
75 percent of households are at risk for some type of natural disaster, and
older people are particularly vulnerable during emergencies and disasters.
“In some cases, a lack of communication about preparedness
can make a life-or-death difference,” Hellyar said. “The glue that holds the
disaster plan together is talking with family, friends and neighbors. Having a
broad support network in place before, during, and after a disaster is
crucial.”
The survey revealed where Americans stand in regard to planning
in four key areas:
- Prescription
medication. About 86 percent of
respondents said someone in their household relies on prescription
medication. Of those, 26 percent said they don’t have at least one week’s
worth of needed medication available, and 83 percent said they did not
have photocopies of prescriptions as backup.
- Pet
care. More than half of those surveyed have a pet. But 76 percent of pet
owners said they have not assembled a pet disaster kit that addresses
their pet’s needs in the event of a natural disaster.
- Important
documents. About 30 percent
said they do not have easy access to important documents or photocopies of
those documents should they have to evacuate quickly in a natural
disaster.
- Emergency
cash. More than 50 percent said they do not have easy access to emergency
cash.
To help individuals prepare for disasters, the Hartford and the MIT AgeLab have created a booklet called
“It Could Happen to Me: Family Conversations about Disaster Planning,” which
consumers can request for free at the Hartford’s
Web site. The 37-page booklet guides readers through the disaster planning
process and includes checklists and references to help people put together their
plan. At the heart of the booklet are the ABCs of disaster preparation:
A for Action: Take It
B for Belongings: Know Them
C for Connections: Make Them
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