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When it comes to health preparedness, you can nott be overly cautious. It seems like no matter where we turn, sickness is lingering. From head colds to the latest pandemic illness, there are things that we can all do to take precautions and stay as healthy as possible during times like this.
Keep in mind while there are certain things that we can do to have our overall health be ready for the illnesses, there are more specific things that we can be doing as well. Gearing up for a sickness that may or may not happen just means that you’re ready to take the precautions to ward off the germs.
What is personal preparedness?
When you’re taking the steps that you need to take to be prepared for yourself, this is being personally prepared. You can easily be prepared for health issues, weather issues, family issues, etc. The list could easily go on and on.
Health Preparedness – Easy Tips To Remember
It’s safe to say that no two sicknesses are the same. But even in knowing that, there are things that you can do to prepare for all of them, just in case illness strikes.
The more that you can take the steps to prepare now, the better off you’re going to be in the near future should you find yourself, or your loved ones, getting ill.
The Basic Health Information to always have readily available
Basic Health Preparedness Information will include things such as:
- Age (date of birth)
- Approximate weight and height
- List of Medications
- Allergies and reactions
- Health History (recent listed at top) such as surgeries
- Any limitations or special needs such as walker, or brace, etc..
- All Doctors Names and Phone #’s
- Health Insurance Information
- Know the location and phone numbers of local pharmacy as welll
Head Cold/Sinus Sickness
If you’re feeling as though your head is getting stuffy, it’s time to take swift action. Make certain that you have the following items on hand so that you can tackle your cold symptoms head-on:
- Kleenex
- Allergy/Cold medication
- Sinus medicine
- Vapor Rub
- Fever Reducer
- Thermometer
- Cough Drops
I like to also keep on hand some broth packets, canned soup and juices.
Those are just a few of the items to keep on hand at all times so that you can start to treat your illness once you notice the first signs.
Remember to note any medical conditons such as allergies, prescription medications, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.. and how these may interact with over the counter cold and allergy medications.
Flu
Getting the flu isn’t fun for anyone. And oftentimes, you’ll find that it just works it’s way through your body. In addition to the items listed above for the cold, you should also have these items in your home as well.
- Over the counter flu medication
- Headache medicine
- Heating pad for aches and pains
Don’t forget to stay hydated – Fluids like juice and water, tea, and broth.
Remember to note any medical conditons such as allergies, prescription medications, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.. and how these may interact with over the counter cold and allergy medications.
Stomach Illnesses
Stomach issues stink. I said it and I’m not taking it back. But to be prepared, you can have these items on hand that can help get over the initial pukey crappy hump.
- Pepto Bismol, Tums, Antacid type
- Immodium (anti diarhea)
- Ginger/Peppermint to soothe your stomach
- Crackers/7UP/ Gingerale/
And as simple as all these items are, they’re key to helping you be healthy and prepared! Just by having an area in your home that you can set these items aside and stock up, you’ll find that if and when sickness strikes, you’ll be as prepared as possible.
Pandemic Preparedness
Since we’re also living in a time of a pandemic, this is something that every household needs to prepare for. You’ll find that the simple steps that you can take now will prepare you should the pandemic come knocking at your door.
Some suggested items to be prepared for health emergencies are:
- Stock up on water bottles
- Make certain to have your prescriptions filled or easy to fill
- Have your insurance cards handy or copies of your insurance cards
- Set up a room in your home that you’re able to quarantine should the need arise
- Buy disinfectant to clean areas of your home
- Face masks
- Hand Sanitizer
- Have extra batteries on hand for needs
- Know where all your electronic chargers are for ease of use
A Word From The Professionals
- A thermometer. If you have children, you might want a child-friendly version that perhaps scans their foreheads.
- Over-the-counter meds such as fever-reducers, cough suppressants and saline nose spray. If you have children, make sure you have appropriate medicine for them, as it may differ from what adults need.
- Healthy, ready-made food. When you get produce, chop up and prepare servings in containers, as you might already do for work and school lunches.
- Have broth, water, warm tea and non-alcoholic beverages available to keep your family member well-hydrated, even when they don’t feel up to eating. Be aware that both sugar and artificial sweeteners can worsen gastrointestinal distress.
- Electrolytes like Pedialyte®, which you can buy at many pharmacies and also in the baby section of your grocery store.
- An emergency contacts list of family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, healthcare providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department and other community resources. Include resources for food and supplies. If you live alone, you might arrange to check in with a friend or relative regularly.
- Write down important passwords that might come in handy.
- Designate in advance dishes, towels, bedding and ideally a separate bedroom and bathroom for anyone who’s ill. Ideally, healthy family members— and pets—should stay outside that space.
- Sufficient soap, hand sanitizer and bleach to keep surfaces clean. Have enough laundry detergent to wash clothes and linens on the “hot” setting daily. Keep disinfecting wipes, paper towels and soap bedside.
- Have single-use latex or nitrile rubber gloves on hand. Change after each interaction with your ill family member. Take care to touch only the inner surface while removing them. Wash your hands beforehand and afterwards.
- First aid essentials. Be prepared to treat minor injuries to avoid trips to the pharmacy with items like bandages, topical anti-itch, and NEOSPORIN®.
- Unless they’re struggling to breathe, have a covering for your ill person’s nose and mouth when they’re around you or others. If the sick person cannot use a mask, wear one while in the same room with them.
- Be sure to have plenty of paper towels, tissues and toilet paper.
- Have a notebook handy to write down the sick person’s temperature and symptoms, updating daily. Here is a downloadable symptom tracker.
For more information on caring for a loved one, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html.
Check COVID-19 information in your area or where you are traveling in the U.S. by entering your zipcode with this helpful tool. Knowlege is Power.
Why is Health Preparedness Important?
Now, more than ever, it’s important to take care of your health. This is because there are millions of people in the world who need medical care or have health issues that medication or help is required.
If you sit back on your heels and wait for something to happen, you’re going to find yourself in a position where it’s hard to function and get the things that you need. This undoubtedly comes at a time when you need help the most.
This is especially true if you live alone or if you have minimal access to things in the area that you live.
The Importance of Planning Ahead
No one has plans on getting sick. It’s just not really anything that anyone wants to think about or deal with. But guess what? More than likely, it’s going to happen.
And the world that we live in nowadays is hyper-aware of all sicknesses and illnesses. If you wait until you’re already sick to start gathering up and preparing, you’re going to find that you have minimal energy to actually be able to do anything.
You know what I mean, right? That stuffy head…the brain fog…the inability to have the energy for anything around the house…take those feelings of sickness and try to pair them up with being motivated to get anything done.
It’s a combination that is destined to fail, right from the start.
This is why have a health preparedness plan and action is key to getting you back to your healthy and normal self as soon as possible.
Communicating your Health Preparedness Plan with Others
When you’re taking the time to prepare for illnesses, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re going to want to include others in this thought process, too.
If you have other people living in your home, they need to be let in on your plan for how sicknesses are going to be handled. Because truth be told, your health plan is going to affect them as well.
And if you happen to live alone, let family and friends know what to expect or how they can help should you get sick. This simple step won’t take hardly any time at all and will be a great way to ensure that you have other people checking in on you, in case your illness or sickness takes a turn for the worse.
Now is the time to plan for your health and safety. Stocking up on medicines and having items that you’re going to need already set in place will help you be able to relax and concentrate on getting better, rather than scrambling and trying to get items you need.
You will want to take some time to check out the incredibly in depth resources available from our Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Alll excellent reliable resources worthy of taking a short amount of your time. The materials they have could save someone’s life.
Before you go, while your recovering and need to break the boredom, check out our free Coloring Pages.
