Hi all --

I am about to head off to Grand Forks Air Force Base, ND. Grand Forks Air Force Base is the home to the Warriors of the North and provides aerial refueling, airlift and aeromedical evacuation support to U.S. and allied forces throughout the world. I'm going there to see my nephew, Brian, become Squadron Commander of the 319th Force Support Squadron. I'm so proud of him!

Then as soon as I return I will be a speaker at the EAPA Regional Conference in NY. Employee Assistance Professionals (EAPs) help employees who are struggling with personal issues in the workplace. I'll be speaking on Balancing Work & Eldercare. Hope to see some of you there!

Closer to home, I'm absolutely delighted to report that we are now halfway through the 8-week "How To Be Your Own Generational Coach" program and it's going fantastically! For all of you who have asked when the next "How To Be Your Own Generational Coach" program will start, rest assured that I will be announcing the start date in a separate email shortly.

So until next time . . .
Have a joyous 4th of July. Happy Birthday, United States!!!

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ARTICLE: EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR THE ELDERLY WITH PETS

Emergency evacuations are devastating and traumatic under any circumstances. This is especially true for the elderly -- especially the elderly with pets. When I say "emergency evacuation," I'm not just talking about major emergencies such as 9/11, Katrina, wild fires, floods, or tornados. I'm also talking about more common situations such as blackouts or extremely hot days necessitating going to a cooling center or a sudden medical emergency requiring being away for several days, a week or even longer.

Emergency evacuations are never going to be easy but careful planning and preparation can lessen some of the impact. The key is not to wait for the emergency. After all, while we can all hope for the best, hope is not a strategy and effective preparation takes time and thought.

There are a number of scenarios that could happen. There could be 1) a major emergency and they and their pet would have to evacuate; 2) a major emergency while they're out and they can't get back to their pet; or 3) a personal emergency and they would have to leave without their pet. Let's look at each individually.

A Major Emergency Where They Have To Evacuate

There Is Time to Evacuate to a Predetermined Destination

If there is some warning, the best option for anyone -- but especially an elderly person -- is to go to family or friends outside the potential evacuation area as early as possible. Before the need arises, they should talk with their chosen emergency destination about having them and their pet stay for a while. However, while family or friends may be able to accommodate your elderly loved one, not everyone will also be able to accommodate their pet. In that case, see if there are friends or relatives at the destination who might be willing to take in their pet. As a backup, find hotels or motels outside of the immediate area that accept pets.

Once the destination is confirmed, research how your elderly loved one will get there. Remember, they will be traveling with a pet so confirm the transportation provider's pet requirements. Situations change so check back periodically to made sure the destination and the transportation is still viable.

There Is No Warning So They Have to Go to a Local Evacuation Center

However, if there's no warning then they will most likely have to go to a local evacuation center or shelter.

Generally the first step will be to go to an intake center. There their needs will be assessed and then they'll be assigned to a shelter that allows pets. If you have a legally licensed pet, most community shelters won't turn pets away. However, it must be a licensed "legal" pet by law (no lions, tigers, crocs, etc). However, Red Cross disaster shelters, for example, will not accept pets because of health and safety regulations. Therefore, before the chaos of an emergency evacuation, contact the Office of Emergency Management, fire department and/or police department in your elderly loved one's community for information about the community's shelter system. Make it clear that you are asking on behalf of an elderly person with a pet. Ask how the process works and if there's any material you can get for pre-planning. Also ask if there's a way to "pre-register" them for transport and space in a center that allows pets. And finally, discuss the best way to get to the evacuation center and whether the mode of transportation will allow pets.

What to Bring

Regardless of where they go, it is vital that they bring all the necessary pet supplies. You're probably familiar with "go bags"for humans in case of an emergency (pre-packed bags with necessary supplies). The same should be done for each pet.

Again, contact your elderly loved one's local Office of Emergency Management for a list of requirements. For example, they may require dogs be muzzled, on a harness rather than a leash, in a crate, etc. Whatever else they are required to bring, be sure they have:

	Photocopies of medical records and a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine their pet requires as well as copies of the actual prescriptions.
	Collars and tags with up-to-date identification. (They might want to consider microchipping each pet as a more permanent form of identification.)
	A traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier -- ideally one for each pet. On it write the pet's name, owner's name and contact information.
	Recent photos of their pets (in case they are separated and need to make "lost" posters)

Make sure the "go bags" are easily accessible and that anyone who might be called on to help them evacuate knows where the bags are, too.

Get their pets ready

Now that your elderly loved one is prepared, there's one more very important step to make sure all goes as smoothly as possible and that is to get their pet comfortable with the emergency equipment. That means getting their pet used to being in a carrier or crate, being muzzled, walking on a short leash, etc.

In addition, there will most likely be chaos -- or at least lots of people and other pets -- so also make sure they get their pet used to crowds and other animals. The good news is that this is a good way to get your elderly loved one out and socializing, and meeting people who might be able to help with their pet in case of a personal emergency.

Leave Home, Then Can't Get Back In

Starting from home is one scenario but being out and suddenly not able to get back into their home is another real possibility. For example, a blackout could occur while they're out and they can't climb the stairs.

You never know what's going to happen so encourage your elderly loved one to take some precautions whenever they go out. That means leaving water and securing the windows by closing them enough so their pet won't get out while still leaving ventilation. They also may want to purchase a pet self feeder.

In addition, emergency responders need to know there is a pet to be rescued. Therefore, put "rescue alert" stickers on windows and doors. Check your local pet supply store or go to rescue alert stickers. The sticker should include what kind and how many pets are in the home and the name and phone number of the pet's veterinarian. If they evacuate with their pets, and if time allows, write "EVACUATED" across the stickers.

A Personal Emergency

Finally, the much more likely scenario is that your elderly loved one will have a medical emergency and will need someone to take care of their pet for the short or long term. We've all heard of stories about an elderly person who won't leave their home, even to go into the hospital for a medical emergency, because they don't have anyone to take care of their pet. However, they don't always have a choice. A friend of mine was in Florida when her husband was suddenly taken to the hospital -- leaving their dog alone. The fact is, anyone would be much more willing to go to the hospital if they know there is someone who will look after their pet. Ideally they will only be gone for a short time, but there's no way to know for sure so it's important to hope for the best and plan for the worst.

Selecting a Short-Term, Temporary Caregiver

For the very short term, their pet can probably stay in their own home where it's familiar and they will feel safe so the requirements for the short term caregiver can be minimal -- to walk, feed, and reassure the pet at least 3 times a day.

The need then is to find someone dependable, responsible, caring, honest, and that the pet likes and trusts. Ideally it will be someone who lives close to their home, knows their pet, and is home or can get home frequently throughout the day. This can be a family member, a trusted friend, neighbor, social worker, even the building superintendent. For longer temporary caregiving, select someone who can take the pet home or arrange for short-term "foster care." (Google "Foster Care for Pets ")

In addition, even if a neighbor can't take care of their pet, they should let a neighbor know who to contact.  Who to contact with their contact information should also be posted in some obvious place such as on the refrigerator or by the door.

Selecting a Permanent Caregiver

This will undoubtedly be a much harder decision for your elderly loved one because it means first coming to grips with the fact that giving away their pet might eventually be necessary. As devastating as this realization will be, knowing that they will be entrusting their cherished pet to someone who will unquestionably give it a loving home will cushion the blow.

First look at anyone who has met and really likes their pet. This should also be someone who either has no pets or who has pets that will easily accept a new friend. If there are other pets in the selected caregiver's home, it's a good idea to arrange several "play dates" to make sure they really get along -- and for your elderly loved one to be comfortable with the decision.

If they don't have anyone in mind, they might start by talking with pet lovers they meet where they walk their dog. They can also contact local clubs that support their breed or by Googling "pet adoptions". By starting the process early -- well in advance of any need -- they will have time to build a trusting relationship.

As I said earlier, emergency evacuations are never going to be easy. The key is not to wait for the emergency. All of this is going to take time and thought but careful planning and preparation can lessen some of the impact.

If your elderly loved one is resistant to making these plans, emphasize that emergency preparation for their pets goes hand-in-hand with being a good pet owner and that the work they do now will make it much better for their pet later.

By the way, discussing emergency preparation for their pets is a great way to discuss emergency preparations for them, too!

For emergency information in your elderly loved one's area, contact their local government Office of Emergency Management. New York City has a really good Office of Emergency Management site. Check it out at www.nyc.gov/oem and while you're there, you can download a pet emergency guide.

Remember, if you have trouble discussing this or any eldercare issues, call me for a complimentary get-acquainted Generational Coaching conversation or do it yourself with my book, The Ultimate Caregiver's Survival Guide.

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