Medford Leas will host a Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults workshop on Friday, Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Medford Campus Theater. The workshop will cover ways to stay ahead of all types of disasters, from hurricanes to tornadoes to a truck overturning and releasing hazardous material on a major road.
Phyllis Worrell will teach an all-hazard approach that will cover everything, including sheltering-in-place, when residents should stay where they are, and evacuation, when the public is encouraged to stay with relatives or friends out of the area, or go to a shelter.
“Many older adults, while living independently, might not have family in the immediate area, so this workshop is very relevant,” said Worrell, who is involved with emergency management at Virtua and has more than three decades of experience in emergency response as a paramedic, fire fighter, and critical incident stress counselor. “It may not be easy to go stay at a child’s or relative’s home. At the same time, we’re all older, so if we have to evacuate, we have to take medications and other things because they won’t be available elsewhere.”
It’s important for people of all ages to have a plan of action in the face of possible emergencies or disasters, especially older adults, according to Worrell. The program will help attendees identify risks in their area and how to plan for different scenarios. Worrell also will detail the contents of a proper disaster kit, and the different methods of communicating during a disaster, what to expect, and how the public becomes involved prior to, or in the aftermath of, a disaster.
Worrell has national experience in speaking on the topic of emergency response, disaster management, and public health planning.
“Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults” is part of a series of programs being offered by Medford Leas this fall. There is no fee for the program, however participants should register by September 16 to secure their seat. For a full listing of Pathways to Learning at Medford Leas programs, or to register for a program, visit www.medfordleas.org or call 609–654–3588.
