Include Medications, Medical Equipment, Medical Supplies and Health Care Provider Information in Your Emergency Planning By Michelle R. Henry Like the rest of the population, persons with ALS (PALS) need to be prepared for disasters.  PALS especially need to give consideration to medications, medical equipment, medical supplies and other health-related planning as part of their emergency preparedness efforts.    ·        Many emergency planners recommend you should have seven days of emergency supplies on hand.  This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications and medical supplies. ·        Make sure to keep a copy of your prescriptions and dosage or treatment information in your emergency preparedness kit.  Talk to your pharmacist and physician to see if they can help you coordinate your prescription orders to have at least a few additional days supply on hand.  ·        Also, talk to your pharmacist and physician to learn about the shelf life of your specific prescriptions, whether over-the-counter or prescription.  ·        Keep a small tool box near your emergency preparedness kit with those basic tools to maintain or repair your wheelchair or scooter.  In a disaster, you may need those tools readily handy.  ·        Keep an emergency supply of medical supplies (e.g., tubing, disposable adult briefs) in a tote box with handles. ·        Consider purchasing a gasoline-powered electrical generator to power medical equipment.  Make sure the generator can generate sufficient power to operate your medical equipment.  Have sufficient gasoline and heavy-duty electrical extension cords too.     ·        Have copies of the following information readily available:  your primary care physician, neurologist, physical therapist, and other health care professional contact information (e.g., clinic address, telephone number and fax number), pharmacy contact information (e.g., address, telephone number and fax number), diagnosis from your physician that you have certain medical conditions (e.g., ALS, diabetes, heart disease), medical insurance card, health insurance plan certificate of coverage, Medicare and Medicaid cards. ·        Consider purchasing a card (the size of a business card) or making a card that you keep in your wallet that says “I have Lou Gehrig’s Disease” with a brief description of Lou Gehrig’s Disease/ALS.  This simple tool may be very handy in a variety of situations. ·        Consider wearing a medical bracelet that says you have Lou Gehrig’s Disease/ALS. ·        If you have a service or companion animal, be sure to include water, pet food, pet collar with name tag, pet medical records and other emergency pet supplies.

We here at the Evergreen Chapter believe with a little preparation, even if disaster strikes, if you have a plan in place, you'll be able to respond calmly and even be able to help others. Additionally, our PALs need to take extra precautions in the event of power outages and other disasters. We have provided links to sites we believe to be useful and easy to navigate.

	Who is NOT familiar with the Red Cross?
	Part of the Dept. of Homeland Security. This site is easy-to-navigate
	A comprehensive site with all sorts of information.

If you know of web resources you feel would be useful for PALs and families, please
contact Dede Steiner 1-866-STOP ALS or dedes@alsa-ec.org