As wildfires, ice storms, and heat waves increasingly threaten Oregon, emergency preparedness for older adults takes center stage. Today, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) kicks off a free, two-part webinar series designed to bolster disaster readiness among the state's elderly population. The series, according to the OEM's announcement, focuses on addressing the particular needs of older residents who may grapple with fixed incomes, mobility concerns, or social isolation.
The first session, conducted this morning, zeroes in on fostering collaboration between emergency management and aging service providers. Living often on fixed incomes, planning for emergencies like evacuations, and ensuring access to medical equipment can be daunting tasks for older individuals. These topics, including how to sign up for emergency alert systems, are critical to the discussions.
Interested participants, ranging from those who support older adults, such as organizations and faith groups, to emergency management professionals, have been encouraged to attend. The effort to engage a wide audience reflects the overarching goal of widespread community preparedness.
Slated for May 21, the second session promises to tackle equally critical issues. Managing medications during disasters can be a precarious scenario for older adults, who are targeted by scams and misinformation after such events. The webinar aims to provide actionable strategies to support mental health and combat social isolation, which can intensify under the strain of catastrophes.
Accessibility is a key component of the initiative, with the sessions being offered in English and available with interpretation in Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, and American Sign Language (ASL). Recordings will be made available on OEM's YouTube channel, ensuring that those who cannot attend in real-time have the opportunity to benefit from the invaluable information shared.
Registrations for the free webinar series are open to the public. For those seeking to take part, further details and a registration link can be found on the OEM's dedicated event page. The department has also extended an invitation to reach out directly for additional information or accommodation requests via email at [email protected].
