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Community Corner

The Fulton County Office of Aging Encourages Seniors to Prepare Early for Winter Inclement Weather

The Fulton County Office of Aging recognizes that winter storms can pose a unique challenge to seniors. The Office of Aging and the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency encourage seniors and their caretakers to plan ahead and develop a network of neighbors, friends and relatives who can assist them in the event that local weather conditions include ice, snow and subfreezing temperatures. Seniors should avoid or limit going outside in extreme or inclement weather conditions. They should also keep handy a contact list of several people they can call on to help, rather than just one person and include the Office of Aging's STARline (404) 613-6000 on that list as a resource for assistance.

Senior citizens are advised to:

• Make prior arrangements with their physician or check with their oxygen supplier about emergency plans for those on respirators or other electric powered medical equipment.

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• Plan now to have electrical backup for medical equipment. Have batteries and flashlights readily available.

• Develop a back-up communications plan in case landlines are disrupted by having a charged cell phone.

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• Maintain a two-week supply of medications, both prescription and non-prescription.

• Have copies of medical records, prescriptions and medical supplies readily available.

• Have contact lenses, extra eyeglasses and batteries for hearing aids ready to go.

• Include service animals and pets in all plans.

• Think ahead about neighborhood shelters that can accommodate the needs of seniors and the disabled. Fulton County’s four Senior Multipurpose Facilities are open during the day and can serve as warming sites.

• Plan for transportation in case they need to change housing due to power interruptions or other emergency conditions.

For additional winter weather preparedness information, seniors and their caretakers can visit these websites:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/

www.redcross.org

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