As a community leader in your senior living in Mandeville, LA, you know that emergencies can happen anytime. You also know that it’s important to be prepared for those situations so you can keep residents and other caregivers safe. It’s essential to stock your kit with the right supplies and keep it in a safe place all your employees can access. You’ll want to ensure everything is in good working order, such as expired medications or cleaning supplies. Here are some first aid and emergency kit items you can have in your senior living community. The checklist will vary based on your location, local laws, and zoning codes, but these items are good to have on hand:
Bandages
Bandages are an essential part of first aid kits. They can be used to cover wounds, protect against infection and provide support for sprains and fractures. Bandages come in a variety of sizes and styles depending on the injury being treated. For example, elastic bandages stretch to fit over swollen or bruised areas such as ankles or knees; triangular bandages work well around fingers or toes; butterfly closures are ideal for securing dressings over large cuts; gauze rolls help stop bleeding by applying pressure directly onto wounds while gauze pads absorb blood flow from smaller injuries like abrasions or blisters.
Gauze Pads
Gauze pads are used to stop bleeding and protect wounds. They can also be used to clean and dress a wound or to protect an area that has been burned. Your first aid kit should contain several bandage strips or rolls of gauze so you can make your bandages if necessary.
Scissors
Scissors are essential for cutting bandages and dressings. You should have at least two pairs of scissors in your kit, one for the kitchen and one for the first aid kit.
We recommend purchasing a pair of heavy-duty shears that residents and other members can use. These scissors can cut through thick materials such as carpeting or clothing without getting dull or breaking apart during use.
Antiseptic Wipes Or Spray
Antiseptic wipes or sprays are a must-have for any first aid kit. They help keep wounds clean and prevent infection, which is especially important if you’re caring for an older adult injured.
Antiseptic wipes are great because they’re easy to use, but you can also purchase antiseptic spray in a bottle that you can spritz on wounds instead of wiping them off with a cloth or paper towel (though this might not be ideal if your loved one has sensitive skin).
Tweezers
Tweezers are a must-have for any first aid kit. They can remove splinters and ticks, pull out thorns, or even extract slivers from your skin. If you don’t have tweezers in your emergency kit, buy some now!
Instant Cold Pack
An instant cold pack is a must-have for any senior living community. These small, gel-like packs are easy to use and can provide instant relief from pain or swelling caused by injuries. The best part? They’re reusable! Just place the pack in a freezer for a few hours, then take it out and place it on top of an injury or sore spot. The ice will begin to melt within minutes-you can even reuse them multiple times if needed!
Instant cold packs are especially useful for aging family members who may not be able to get up easily or move around much after an injury or accident occurs. They’re also great if you have multiple residents with similar injuries; one pack can be used by several people at once instead of having multiple packs lying around waiting for someone else’s use (and potentially getting lost).
Thermometer – Forehead, Digital
A thermometer is important for your first aid kit. You can use it to check for fever or other signs of illness in your residents. A forehead thermometer is a quickest and easiest way to measure a person’s temperature without causing discomfort or embarrassment, as they won’t have to undress to take their temperature.
Insulin And Hypodermic Needles (For Those Who Use Insulin)
If you or someone in your community uses insulin, be sure to include this item. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body turn sugar into energy. It’s important for diabetics to have access to it at all times, especially if they are traveling or away from home.
Disposable Gloves
Disposable gloves are a must-have in any first aid kit. Not only do they help protect your skin, but they can also be used to protect yourself from germs and bacteria.
They’re especially important if you have an older adult who has been ill and is still recovering or if the person who needs care has an infectious disease.
Medications
It’s important to ensure that your senior living in Mandeville, LA has a list of medications residents take and their dosages. This will help if someone needs medical attention or in case they are unable to communicate with you.
- Medication labels should be visible on all bottles, so you can quickly identify them. You should also check the expiration dates on each medication bottle before using it.
- If a resident has an emergency where there is no time for any preparation, make sure you know how much of each drug they’ve taken recently (in other words, what their normal dosage is).
Food And Water
The most important thing to remember when preparing for an emergency is to ensure you have enough food and water to last 72 hours. If there’s no power, then you’ll need to be able to get by without refrigeration or running water. So be sure your community has plenty of non-perishable foods like canned vegetables, fruits, and meats; granola bars; peanut butter; crackers (like Goldfish); dried fruit, etc. If possible, store water in plastic bottles rather than glass ones; if they break during an earthquake or other disaster, the shards can cause serious injuries.
Flashlight (Batteries And Light Bulb)
A flashlight is one of the most important items to have in your emergency kit. It can be used in the event of a power outage or if you need to see it in the dark.
Duct Tape
Duct tape is an essential item in any first aid kit. It can secure bandages and dressings, seal wounds and cuts, create splints for broken bones, and even help prevent blisters from forming on your feet. Duct tape is also great for preventing injury if you trip over something in the dark or get caught in a storm without an umbrella!
Conclusion
This checklist is designed to help you create an emergency kit for your senior living community. There are many factors to consider, including local laws and zoning codes, so make sure that you check with your local government before making any purchases.
