There are a number of important things caregivers should know about disaster. The best time to become educated about disasters is not immediately before or during the disaster itself, but well before a disaster strikes. Basic disaster preparation includes the assembly of a disaster kit. This kit can be for sheltering in place or sheltering at a congregate facility.

In addition to basic disaster preparation, caregivers have unique needs.

According to specialists at the Mississippi State Emergency Management Agency, there are three things a caregiver must establish:

1. a network team
2. the special needs of the care receiver
3. community resources.

One of the most important things a caregiver can do ahead of time is to establish a support network team. This team should have at least three people and can include neighbors, friends, relatives, volunteers and/or staff from social service agencies. Together, the team should decide how they will communicate during a disaster, and how they will help the caregiver before, during or after a disaster.

The caregiver should develop a list of the care recipient's special needs, including medications, dietary requirements, and special equipment.

Before a disaster, caregivers should determine what kinds of community assistance will be available to help in times of need. Social service agencies may have a registry for those who need special assistance. Some shelters are able to accommodate people with special needs, such as the assistance of service animals, while some shelters are not. It will be important to identify these shelters before a crisis.

For more information about disaster preparedness, please visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency website: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=36515.