Caregiverlist Basic Training 8-Hours

Emergency Procedures, Including Basic First Aid and Client’s Emergency Preparedness Plan

Recognizing emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures, including basic first aid and implementation of a client’s emergency preparedness plan are presented in this section.

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters do occur and many times with short-notice.

Natural Disasters Are Defined As the Following

  • Hurricanes

  • Tornadoes

  • Earthquakes

  • Flash Floods

  • Wind Storms

  • Rain Storms

  • Forest Fires

Fires in the house are usually preventable and because of this are not considered a natural disaster. Preventing household fires and how to respond safely are also part of emergency planning.

Prepare Ahead of Time for Natural Disasters and Emergencies

Think through what you would do for each of the possible natural disasters and if the home lost electricity or experienced a fire or flood. If you are providing caregiving services at a facility such as a nursing home or assisted living community, learn their disaster and emergency procedures. They will have instructions available and notices on doors and exits for evacuation procedures. Know where the flashlight and matches and candles are at a senior’s home.

Follow these steps when you begin care for a senior in their home:

  1. Home Assessment: Know the layout of the entire home, including the basement and attic to be prepared for an emergency.

  2. Know where smoke and water can go

  3. Power Failure—Have a Plan: Know where to find flashlights, batteries, candles, and matches

  4. Smoke and Fire Alarms: Check batteries monthly

  5. Where Do You Go? If an evacuation were necessary for a fire, hurricane, flood, wind-storm, or tornado, know the evacuation plan

Always call the office of the home care agency first and know the evacuation plan and for immediate emergencies call 911.

Hurricanes: As hurricanes show up on weather radar, you will have prior warning before a hurricane will strike and time to prepare yourself and your client for this disaster. Many times areas are evacuated prior to a hurricane and your company will provide guidance.

Tornadoes: Tornadoes often strike suddenly. A Tornado Watch means a tornado is a possibility due to the weather conditions. A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been spotted and is in your area. You should take cover immediately, going to a basement or tornado shelter if possible. Be sure to know where to take cover if you are located in a tornado alley.

Earthquakes: Earthquakes usually happen without warning. While earthquakes are more common in California, there is also the New Madrid fault line near the Mississippi river, causing earthquakes to even occur in Illinois and Missouri. Know where to go for safety in the home when a sudden earthquake happens and where to go for shelter after the earthquake.

Watch Video on Earthquake Preparedness:

Floods: Floods usually are predicted but be aware that flash-floods occur quickly. Find out if the senior’s home is in a flood zone and know the evacuation procedure if you are in an area which experiences flash floods.

Forest Fires: Usually you will have prior notice to evacuate. Take the warning seriously as fires can advance more quickly than you can imagine. Implement the emergency plan and take necessary items and evacuate.

Fire: As most fires can be prevented it is important to review fire safety tips.

  1. Do not smoke while working.

  2. Do not allow a senior client to smoke in the home, if possible. If they must smoke in the home, make sure they only smoke while using an ashtray.

  3. Do not allow them to smoke in bed or when oxygen is in use.

  4. Check electrical cords to be sure they are not cracked or frayed.

  5. Notice if light bulbs blink or seem to burn-out quickly. This could be a sign of an electrical issue which should be reported.

  6. Turn off and unplug electrical appliances when you are not using them.

  7. Be cautious to turn off ovens and stoves when not in use—always check everything twice.

  8. Keep flammable items away from the stove, radiators, and reading lamps.

  9. Do not use candles.

CANDLE DANGER: If candles must be used for a dinner celebration or birthday, be very aware of the importance to extinguish them when you leave your work assignment as a senior may not remember to do so. Seniors also may have lost their sense of smell, making it even more dangerous to have candles in the home. Candles are one of the leading causes of fires. Be mindful to keep candles away from flammable objects and burn them only for short time periods.

Fire Preparedness

Watch Video on Fire Preparedness:


  1. Know where Fire Extinguishers are Located

  2. Fire Extinguisher Directions: Know How to Use It

  3. Blankets: Know where extra blankets and sheets are kept in the home. A blanket can be thrown over the fire to extinguish it.

Should a Fire Start:

  1. Call 911

  2. Extinguish the fire if possible (such as a small kitchen fire on the stove-top)

  3. Escort the senior out of the home

  4. Confine the fire by closing doors of empty rooms to slow the spread of smoke and flames

Note: Fire Extinguishers should be in the senior’s home if you are doing senior home care. Make sure the location of the fire extinguisher is known to you and make sure it works.

Being PREPARED is Your Best Defense for Natural Disasters and Emergencies

Emergency Preparedness Plan Includes This Information

  • How to Evacuate

  • Where to Evacuate (where to go)

  • How to Help Clients During the Emergency (must-have items to take)

  • Who does What (call family to help or will a back-up caregiver arrive?)

  • How to Know When an Emergency Plan is Being Implemented

Make sure your employer provides you with an Emergency and Disaster Plan when you are hired. Ask them to review it with you. If you work in an area which has had previous disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes and has a high probability of these natural disasters happening again, ask your senior care employer to share experiences and stories on how the previous natural disaster emergencies were handled.

Watch Video on Tips for Making a Home Emergency Kit:

Safety Tips During Natural Disasters and Emergencies

Know the must-have items for the senior in your care:

  • Medications

  • Clothing

  • Medical Equipment (walker/oxygen)

  • Food

  • Water

  • First Aid Kit

Make a list of these items so you will be prepared if an emergency occurs:

  1. Know the “Emergency Plan” for your senior care company and know the steps you are to take when it is implemented.

  2. Review the Emergency Plan for your company each year so you are familiar with the steps.

  3. Exercise safety throughout your work day. If equipment isn’t working properly, notify your manager.

  4. Know your Game Plan for your Must-Have Items (create a natural disaster kit).

  5. Check your weather forecast each day before you go to work.

Basic First Aid

First aid means being the first to treat an emergency injury such as a cut finger or a twisted ankle which just needs some basic “aid.” Thus the name, Basic First Aid.

Cuts: Clean with antiseptic (alcohol or antiseptic wipe) and apply a bandage. Deep cuts should have a butterfly wound closure applied (tape together) to link the torn skin.

Sprains: Apply ice and elevate, then apply elastic brace.

CPR First Aid: CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation which is performed on people in cardiac arrest and involves chest compressions and exhalations into the person’s mouth. Training in CPR should be taken if you are caring for someone with heart disease. Sometimes additional heart defibrillator life vests or machines are maintained in the home of seniors with heart disease. Proper training should be provided for use of these devices.

💡 Tip Sheet

Natural Disasters Include Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Floods, Tornadoes, Emergency Preparedness Plan provides an Action Plan for How to Evacuate, Where to Go, How to Help the Senior, Who to Call and Who Does What, Basic First Aid is Just That