Administration on Aging Pandemic Preparation

The Federal agency, Administration on Aging, has a preparedness guide. One is for general emergency assistance and one is specific to a pandemic influenza.

Unfortunately, each Emergency Assistance Guide chapter is it’s own pdf file to download, Start here,
http://www.aoa.gov/press/preparedness/preparedness.asp

For a copy of the Letter from the Assistant Secretary about Pandemic Flu preparation (pdf file)  click here.

 For a copy of the AoA Pandemic Flu Plan (pdf file)  click here.

A copy of the “Long-Term Care and Other Residential Facilities Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist” is available at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/LongTermCareChecklist.html.

Preparedness suggestions include:

• Have a structure for planning and decision-making, with a multidisciplinary group created to specifically pandemic influenza preparedness planning.
• Develop a written pandemic influenza plan that identifies the person or persons authorized to implement the plan and the organizational structure to be used.
• Develop a facility communication plan that includes key points of contact such as local and state health department officials, and a person responsible for communicating with staff, residents and families.
• Have a plan to provide education and training to ensure that all personnel, residents and family members of residents understand basic prevention and control measures for pandemic influenza.
• Have an infection control plan in place for managing residents and visitors with pandemic influenza.
• Have a plan to get and use vaccines and antiviral drugs.
• Address issues related to sudden increased needs, such as prioritizing services, staffing and supply shortages, and alternative care for residents who need acute care when hospital beds are unavailable.

I haven’t had a chance to review these yet. I have yet to see any evidence of local planning for the elderly. We just last week went through breakup and spring flooding. It happens every year. Yet once again an elder was moved to higher ground, but without taking along the required meds which were left in the house or clinic.

Also, no one recalls a fire drill in the past several (five +?) years at the senior center. See the checklist for When you visit the senior center – http://theelderlies.wordpress.com/2005/08/06/when-you-visit-the-senior-center/