Prepping For Disaster: Wakeup Call

Preparing for a disaster is challenging, but Hurricane Katrina shows it's also necessary.

According to The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay, everyone should include a first aid kit in their disaster readiness plan, but people with special medical needs can face additional challenges in a disaster scenario.

Extra precautions are needed for people with long-term illnesses, such as heart disease or diabetes, and extra plans should be made to take care of people with any disability that makes it difficult to move around easily. Children and the elderly can be at higher risk for health problems during a disaster, because they are more vulnerable to injury and harsh conditions.

People who take medications for an existing illness need to prepare to continue their treatment during a disaster, in case they're isolated from help, medical supplies or medical care. Senay suggests you talk to your doctor about keeping an extra three days to two weeks worth of both non-prescription and prescription medications and medical supplies on hand, in case of emergency. Keep a record of the original prescriptions.

Other steps Senay advises you take include preparing a special care emergency kit with necessary medical supplies and printed information on specific diseases or medical conditions, maintaining portable electronic or paper copies of medical records, and getting a medical identification bracelet for any chronic condition or medication allergy.Ask your doctor or pharmacist how different medications should be stored. Patients should understand the consequences of suddenly discontinuing medications.

Seek information about options for medical care in a disaster scenario. Know where to seek emergency medical assistance in your community.

To sum up:

1) Keep extra medications and medical supplies on hand
2) Keep a record of original prescriptions
3) Prepare a specialized emergency kit
4) Maintain portable medical records
5) Get a medical identification bracelet

There are several places to get important information on disaster planning, Senay points out.

Government disaster planning information is available from the Department of Homeland Security Web site at ready.gov, the Federal Emergency Management Agency site, fema.gov, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov. The American Red Cross has a wealth of information at redcross.org.

For displaced people who need long-term care for chronic illnesses, groups such as the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org or 1-800-DIABETES and the American Cancer Society at cancer.org or 1-800-ACS-2345 are also providing information on emergency resources. Also, the American Heart Association at .

The Food and Drug Administration, at fda.gov also provides guidance on prescription drugs.