From power outages to pandemic flu…
Free event helps seniors and disabled people prepare for emergencies
With flu season already here, along with fears that the H1N1 virus could lead to a pandemic, Be Prepared Ohio 2.0 is the place to go to learn how to prepare for emergencies of all kinds, including flu.
Planned as part of National Preparedness Month, Be Prepared Ohio 2.0 is designed for everyone, but is especially valuable for emergency responders, health and social service professionals, seniors, disabled persons and their caregivers.
Be Prepared Ohio 2.0 will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sept. 22 at the Sheraton Cincinnati North, 11320 Chester Road, Sharonville.
Admission is free. There is a processing fee for nurses, social workers and nursing home administrators seeking Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Please register by Sept. 17 at 513-345-3367. A conference brochure with registration form is also available online.
Be Prepared Ohio is presented by Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio and the Emergency Preparedness Collaborative. The collaborative includes 60 member organizations which joined forces in 2006 to help people with disabilities and their caregivers prepare for emergencies and manage their care when disasters strike.
Dr. Steven Englender, director of the Center for Public Health Preparedness at the Cincinnati Health Department, is keynote speaker.
Dr. Englender will discuss the importance of individual and family preparedness, pandemic flu, and the importance of community support and mobilization in disasters. He'll also describe how health departments are pulling together to provide relief during emergencies.
Additional speakers from public health departments, emergency management agencies, non-profits, and utility companies will present workshops on topics including:
- sheltering in place
- surviving disasters with your pets
- lessons learned from Ohio's Hurricane (Hurricane Ike, September 2008)
- business continuity planning for agencies that provide support and services for older adults and people with disabilities
- lessons learned from Ohio's deadliest nursing home fire (Golden Age Nursing Home, November 1963)
- important information about power line safety from Duke Energy, including a high voltage demonstration
An exhibit hall will feature over 30 exhibitors with resources and information to help everyone be prepared for the next emergency.
About Council on Aging
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults and their families.
Since 1974, COA has been designated by the state of Ohio as the Area Agency on Aging for Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. COA plans, coordinates, funds and administers programs for an area that is home to more than 252,000 adults age 60 and older.
COA promotes choice, independence, dignity and well-being of older adults through a range of services that help them remain in their homes for as long as possible. One call to COA links people to the wide variety of agencies, information and programs that serve older adults.
For Answers on Aging:
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio
175 Tri County Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45246
513-721-1025 Toll-free 1-800-252-0155
E-mail: info@help4seniors.org
Website: www.help4seniors.org
[back to top] |
