The Emergency Preparedness Checklist is designed to ensure that clients receiving home care and case management services are better able to cover gaps in their own care during emergencies. They are encouraged through this clear, simple planning checklist to take a few key planning steps: have a conversation about emergency preparedness; develop an emergency plan; and gather a three days or more supply of nine essential items in preparation for an emergency event.
This interactive checklist was developed for and tested with case managers and Certified Nursing Assistants in Montgomery County, Maryland. It includes: questions to encourage conversations about preparedness between clients and case managers; space for contact information, pet information, meeting places, and medications; lists of essential items to stockpile; and space to list additional supplies that may be needed depending on the client's situation.
Although the checklist was piloted primarily with older and disabled adults, it can be modified to meet the needs of other vulnerable populations receiving case management and home-care services. Evaluation findings showed significant increases in personal stockpiles among participating clients.
