If you or your family are taking care of an aging family member or someone with special needs you are already aware that their needs are very different from your own, but have you thought about how that might change your response in a disaster?
The Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross has resources that can help you think through every disaster scenario.  Here are some tips you may find helpful when thinking about your family member that may need some extra help:

• Know what disasters are common in your area, and have a disaster plan that is tailored specifically to your families needs.
• If you or your family member relies on a daily medication, have at least a 7-day backup supply in your “shelter-in-place” emergency kit.  Your doctor may have samples they can provide or set aside some at the end of the month to meet this need.
• Go ahead and organize the needs of your family members.  The American Red Cross has Personal Assessment forms that you can fill out that may help you organize your families’ needs in an easy understandable way for emergency personnel.  For a copy, please call the Bluegrass Chapter at 859-253-1331.
• If your family member has medical equipment, write down and store the serial number on medical items in your “shelter- in-place” emergency kit, this way if the medical items are damaged or destroyed this information will be easily accessible for the insurance company.

The American Red Cross has a variety of Preparedness and First Aid Mobile Apps that give you instant access to the information you need to know in the event of an emergency.  Be ready for severe weather with Tornado, Earthquake, Wildfire and Hurricane mobile apps.   Monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe.  Each app also features a shelter locator where you can find shelters in your area.  From your mobile phone, call “**REDCROSS” (**73327677) and we will send you a link to download the app to your phone or you can download them directly from the iTunes or Google Play app stores.
For more tips and information, please call the Bluegrass Chapter at 859-253-1331 or visit www.redcross.org/bluegrass.