Disaster planning for your health
There are certain people that are more at risk from disaster and emergency events.
- Knowing your disaster and health risks.
- Making a plan and discussing it with your doctor.
- Making arrangements to have access to medication and your medical records, and
- Knowing how you stay informed and will access support in an emergency.
Local organisations that can help you with making a plan are:
Remember your local emergency services can help too with services such as free Fire and Safety Home Safety Visits and RFS AIDER programs.
Diabetes: supports and resources
During an emergency, your body processes glucose differently. Stress, changes in physical activity and the food you eat, mean you may need to adjust your medication during and after an emergency.
During the initial disaster response, an increase in cortisol can result in increased blood glucose levels. This effect can continue up to months after a disaster due to:
- decreased physical activity
- increased food intake
- a change in routine
- anxiety
- decreased access to glucose monitoring equipment
- change to priorities
It is a good idea to check your blood glucose levels regularly during an emergency, and adjust insulin accordingly.
If you are insulin-dependent, it’s a good idea to create a diabetic disaster kit:
- Store kit in a safe location.
- Include the following:
- glucose tablets or jelly beans, to assist in the treatment of hypoglycaemia.
- pump settings and passwords for a patient with an insulin pump.
- insulated portable medication bag, to help keep insulin stored at a safe temperature.
- Talk to your doctor or Diabetes Educator about a including a Sick Day Plan.
- Ensure a safe temperature:
- Do not freeze the insulin or store insulin directly adjacent to ice.
- If using an ice brick in the insulated bag, wrap the ice brick in a cloth before adding the insulin to the bag.
- Consider printing a Diabetes Emergency Plan booklet to personalise and store with the disaster kit.
Foot care is extremely important during a disaster. To minimise wounds and infection, you should wear socks and closed-toe comfortable shoes.
For individuals with chronic health conditions such as diabetes maintaining access to medications, medical supplies and healthcare services, is essential for managing your conditions and preventing complications during and after a disaster. Make a plan tailored to your needs and abilities for emergencies. Consider special requirements like mobility aids or assistive devices.
Diabetes Australia have a diabetes specific emergency plan and guidance to prepare a kit to take with you if disaster strikes.
KEY TIPS
Extreme Heat may cause damage to blood vessels and nerves as complications of diabetes may impair the body’s mechanisms to regulate temperature. People with diabetes can also get dehydrated more quickly. Find out more about how to be prepared.
Bushfire smoke may affect blood glucose levels and make them harder to manage. During an emergency, your body processes glucose differently. Stress, changes in physical activity and the food you eat, may mean you need to adjust your medication during and after a bushfire emergency. Find more information and how to protect your health in a bushfire.
Lung disease: supports and resources
Maintaining access to medications, medical supplies and healthcare services, is essential for managing your conditions and preventing complications during and after a disaster.
Make a plan tailored to your needs and abilities for emergencies. Consider special requirements like mobility aids or assistive devices. Stay informed about potential triggers or risks associated with your condition during emergencies. Regularly review and update your emergency plan and supplies.
It is a good idea to have an up to date COPD Action Plan completed in conjuntion with your GP, specialist or nurse.
Avoid exposure to airborne particulate matter and plan to avoid harm e.g., during a fire evacuate early, stay indoors, use the air‑conditioner on the internal air recycling setting, wear a mask if outdoors.
Remember that continued access to inhaler medications is important in the management of respiratory exacerbations. Keep a second supply of inhalers in a safe place off‑site e.g., in their handbag, car, or at a family member's house, in case they are not able to return home to access their usual supply.
KEY TIPS
Extreme Heat warmer temperatures have been associated with worsening symptoms in people with chronic lung disease. Breathing difficulties may also put excessive strain on the heart during heat exposure. People diagnosed with cystic fibrosis may also have increased salt loss from sweating. Find out more about how to be prepared.
Bushfire smoke contains fine particles that can irritate your eyes, note, throat and lungs. Its important you take steps to reduce your time in smoky area particularly if you have health conditions. Its important to monitor the air quality and follow health advice from Air Quality NSW. Find more information and how to protect your health in a bushfire.
Heart disease: supports and resources
Elevated blood pressure during a disaster may increase risk of complications if you have pre-existing hypertension and history of heart attack or stroke. It’s a good idea to store (if applicable) a portable blood pressure machine with your disaster kit, check your blood pressure regularly and seek medical advice if blood pressure is higher than your normal readings.
Maintaining access to medications, medical supplies and healthcare services, is essential for managing your conditions and preventing complications during and after a disaster. Make a plan tailored to your needs and abilities for emergencies. Consider special requirements like mobility aids or assistive devices.
Stay informed about potential triggers or risks associated with your condition during emergencies. Regularly review and update your emergency plan and supplies.
KEY TIPS
Extreme Heat can impact your condition, excessive strain on the heart during hot weather may bring about dizziness, collapse, heart attack or stroke. Find out more about how to be prepared.
Bushfire smoke can worsen heart and lung conditions such as angina and COPD. Find more information on how to protect your health in a bushfire.
Kidney Disease and Dialysis: supports and resources
Maintaining access to medications, medical supplies and healthcare services, is essential for managing your conditions and preventing complications during and after a disaster. Make a plan tailored to your needs and abilities for emergencies. Consider special requirements like mobility aids or assistive devices.
Stay informed about potential triggers or risks associated with your condition during emergencies. Regularly review and update your emergency plan and supplies.
If you, or someone you care for, rely on electricity for life sustaining or assistive technology such as dialysis its important you are ready for a power or water outage.
With severe and unpredictable weather like heatwaves, storms, bushfires and cyclones on the rise, your power could be out for longer, and more often. Your power company will be working to get the power back on, but it’s important that you know what to do. Everything you need to get started is included in the Check. Plan. Do. Power Outage Plan.
Kidney Health Australia has information to help you prepare or you can call 1800 454 363. They can provide information and support on how you can be prepared what you can do in case of a disaster event. In an emergency you should phone 000.
In extreme heat kidney disease may impact the body’s response to changes in blood pressure and to dehydration due to heat exposure, learn how to be prepared.
Find more information on how to protect your health in a bushfire.
Mental health: supports and resources
For individuals with mental health conditions maintaining access to medications and healthcare services, is essential for managing your conditions and preventing complications during and after a disaster.
Make a plan tailored to your needs and abilities for emergencies. You could use one of these to make your plan:
The Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) tool supports people to be prepared for disasters and emergencies.
For NDIS Participants and other people with diverse needs there is a range of information and resources.
Red Cross have a comprehensive set of resources to help you prepare for a range of hazards with tools and templates including the Emergency preparedness guide.
Being emotionally prepared for natural disasters and emergencies can boost your confidence and help you feel more in control. This can improve your emergency planning and reduce stress, which may also lower the risk of long-term mental health issues caused by the trauma of the disaster.
The Australian Psychological Society outlines 4 steps to being psychologically prepared, using the acronym ‘AIME’
A - Anticipate you will feel worried or anxious and remember these are normal responses to a possible life-threatening situation.
I - Identify the exact physical feelings associated with anxiety and whether you are having any scary thoughts which are adding to the fear.
M - Manage your responses using controlled breathing and self-talk to stay as calm as possible so you can focus on the practical tasks which need your attention.
E - Engage with at least one person you trust to help you feel connected, more supported and less alone.
Find more information on AIME
People with pre-existing mental illness may be at increased risk during periods of disasters and emergencies, including heatwave and power outage, due to social isolation and complexity of your health conditions.
Some medications and health conditions may impair the body's ability to regulate temperature so its important to plan to stay cool in extremely hot weather and understand the heat risk.
Identify a support network to help you in disaster situations eg. neighbours, friends, community groups, or relatives. Include several people from different locations if you can and you could give a copy of your disaster plan to these contacts.
If you are worried about how you might feel in a disaster or emergency , it can be a good idea to talk with your health provider about support to make a plan on how you will keep safe with your condition in a disaster with your Strategies and Emergency Supports.
You can view a range of mental health services. In an emergency, call 000.
Neurological diseases: supports and resources
For individuals with neurological health conditions maintaining access to medications, medical supplies and healthcare services, is essential for managing your conditions and preventing complications during and after a disaster.
Make a plan tailored to your needs and abilities for emergencies. Consider special requirements like mobility aids or assistive devices. It is important to plan for communication and sensory issues and include items to support these in an emergency kit.
Stay informed about potential triggers or risks associated with your condition during emergencies. Regularly review and update your emergency plan and supplies.
Symptoms such as heat sensitivity, vision impairment, difficulty with walking or processing information, may also make responding to a crisis more challenging.
MSAustralia has a Crisis toolkit to support preparedness for people living with a disability or chronic health condition such as Multiple Sclerosis.
The Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) tool supports people with disabilities to be prepared for disasters and emergencies. This tool can be used by anyone and has also been co-designed and tested with and for people with disability.
For NDIS Participants and other people with diverse needs there is a range of information and resources. This site is accessible in different languages and has accessibility options such as screen reader.
Carers NSW have information and resources to help carers and people receiving care develop a tailored disaster plan for yourself and your household, including practical templates such as Care Routine Cards.
Heat exposure may worsen some neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury because they can impact the body’s ability to regulate body temperature. Be prepared and understand the heat risk.
Bushfire smoke can also affect your health. Find out how to protect your health in a bushfire.
Older adults, people with dementia and carers: supports and resources
The Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) tool supports people to be prepared for disasters and emergencies. This tool can be used by anyone.
It will help you or someone you care for:
- Identify your strengths and support needs in everyday life.
- Know your level of emergency preparedness and learn about disaster risk.
- Plan for how you will manage your support needs in an emergency.
- Communicate the plan with the people in your support network and address gaps through collaboration.
It will help you think about your social connectedness, transportation, assistive technology, managing your health, personal support, communication, assistance animals and pets and your living situation.
If you, or someone you care for, rely on electricity for life sustaining or assistive technology its important you are ready for a power outage.
With severe and unpredictable weather like heatwaves, storms, bushfires and cyclones on the rise, your power could be out for longer, and more often. Your power company will be working to get the power back on, but it’s important that you know what to do. Everything you need to get started is right here. https://lifesupport.poweroutageplan.com.au/#my-power-outage-plan
For People with Dementia:
The Dementia Carer Ready Guide to be used in conjunction with the Red Cross Ready Plan has tailored information and checklists for carers and people with dementia to work through to help you be well prepared for emergencies or disaster events. You can find it here
2447_DCRC_Prep_natural_disaster_flipbook7press.pdf . It is to be used in conjunction with the Red Cross Rediplan
Its important to consider:
- If the patient does not drive, a plan for aided evacuation from the home and documentation of this on the plan.
- Adding some personal information to the plan such as: likes and dislikes, daily routine, language spoke at home, calming strategies etc.
- Identify a support network to help in disaster situations e.g., neighbours, community groups, and relatives. Include several people from different locations. Give a copy of the disaster plan to these contacts.
- Consider adding comfort items and simple activities to the disaster kit.
Carers NSW have information and resources to help carers and people receiving care develop a tailored disaster plan including practical templates such as Care Routine Cards. You can find them here Preparing yourself and your household | Carers NSW
Extreme heat and heatwaves can particularly affect people over 65. Its important to plan ahead to beat the heat.
Limited finances: supports and resources
Fortunately, making a plan doesn’t cost anything other than your time. Red Cross have a comprehensive set of resources to help you prepare for a range of hazards.
Local organisations that can help you with making a plan at no cost are:
Dealing with extreme heat as our summers become hotter, its important to understand the risk of heat to our and our loved ones health. You can find some great free or low cost hints and tips.
Financial Assistance My Health Connector has a range of local services that can offer support. You also use askizzy.org.au or your local council website.
Pregnant women and children: supports and resources
If you are pregnant you may be more sensitive to the effects of disasters and emergencies including extreme heat and smoke. You can monitor the air quality near you.
Children are also more vulnerable to these events, babies and children particularly are at increased risk of heat-related illness because they are less able to control their own body temperature and make choices to stop them overheating. Beat the Heat has some helpful hints and tips.
Emerging Minds has some great resources for parents and caregivers to minimise your children’s stress and anxiety in a disaster or emergency by coping well yourself.
Prepare for heatwave.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association has some useful emergency planning resources.
Bushfire smoke can also affect your family’s health, find more information and how to protect your health in a bushfire.
Red Cross have a comprehensive set of resources to help you prepare for a range of hazards.
People with disabilities: supports and resources
The Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) tool to support people to be prepared for disasters and emergencies. This tool can be used by anyone and has also been co-designed and tested with and for people with disability.
It will help you or someone you care for:
- Identify your strengths and support needs in everyday life.
- Know your level of emergency preparedness and learn about disaster risk.
- Plan for how you will manage your support needs in an emergency.
- Communicate the plan with the people in your support network and address gaps through collaboration.
It will help you think about your social connectedness, transportation, assistive technology, managing your health, personal support, communication, assistance animals and pets and your living situation.
For NDIS Participants and other people with disabilities there is a range of information and resources. This site is accessible in different languages and has accessibility options such as screen reader.
If you, or someone you care for, rely on electricity for life sustaining or assistive technology its important you are ready for a power outage.
With severe and unpredictable weather like heatwaves, storms, bushfires and cyclones on the rise, your power could be out for longer, and more often. Your power company will be working to get the power back on, but it’s important that you know what to do. Everything you need to get started is available in the Check. Plan. Do. Power Outage Plan
Carers NSW have information and resources to help carers and people receiving care develop a tailored disaster plan including practical templates such as Care Routine Cards.
People who live alone or have limited social connections: supports and resources
Its important to remember, social connection with neighbours, family or friends is a significant protective factor in emergencies and connections will be a vital part of your emergency planning.
Maintaining or making new connections with family, friends and neighbours will help you keep safe in a disaster or emergency events.
Red Cross have a comprehensive set of resources to help you prepare for a range of hazards. Planning templates will help you think about who you have around that can help you prepare for and respond to emergency and disaster events (or who you can help too).
The NSW Government has hints and tips to get to know your neighbours to support you to connect with your neighbours and how you can help each other be prepared for disasters and emergencies.
You can find other ways to increase your connections through our My Health Connector website.
We have a variety of programs to help you or someone you may care for to improve their social connections.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: supports and resources
The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW have some great resources to help Mob prepare for Bushfires.
Heatwave in Australia, heatwaves are our deadliest natural hazard. Climate change is resulting in more frequent and intense heatwaves. Find more information here about how to prepare for extreme heat and look after your health and beat the heat.
Power Outage dont be in the dark, know what to do. When the power goes out, be prepared.
Life Support Power Outage every person using medical equipment at home needs to be ready for a power outage.
Additional Resources and Support in language for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Translation services 24 hrs every day of the year | phone 131 450
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) website for access to translation services.
Resources in Language:
There are certain people that are more at risk from disaster and emergency events.
- Knowing your disaster and health risks.
- Making a plan and discussing it with your doctor.
- Making arrangements to have access to medication and your medical records, and
- Knowing how you stay informed and will access support in an emergency.
Local organisations that can help you with making a plan are:
Remember your local emergency services can help too with services such as free Fire and Safety Home Safety Visits and RFS AIDER programs.
