About three weeks ago, we experienced the second biggest snowstorm in all of Philadelphia history.

For many of us, we were lucky that the brunt of the storm hit us on Friday night through Saturday. The 30 hour snowstorm might have put a damper on our holiday shopping schedule, but at least we woke up to 23.2 inches of snow on a Sunday and were able to dig ourselves out (somewhat) before the work week began on Monday.

Even though we might have enjoyed the record breaking snowfall with snow angels, snowmen, and hot chocolate, many of our elderly family members and neighbors are the most vulnerable during a winter storm.

As caregivers or concerned neighbors, we need to ensure that we are extra prepared by staying organized and keeping records of their essential medical information, such as:

· The names and contact information for each of their doctors and service providers, such as their home care agency and adult medical day care provider.
· Schedules of services for their providers, such as hours and days of the week for the home care aide and days of attendance for the adult medical day care program.
· A list of their medications and the contact information for their pharmacy, so we could anticipate the need for any immediate refills.
· A schedule of upcoming medical appointments or procedures.
· Notes of their past appointments with physicians, treatment recommendations, and scheduled follow up appointments, so we could ensure that they have ample supplies of medications or medical supplies, and access to transportation for future appointments.
· An emergency contact list of family or neighbors that could assist with the clearing of their snow-ridden driveway, running to the local grocery store or pharmacy, and transportation to upcoming medical appointments.
· Copies of eyeglass prescriptions, and prescriptions for other assistive devices such as walkers and diabetes monitoring devices.

Knowing that power outages commonly accompany snowstorms and extremely cold weather, think about preparing a home emergency preparedness kit. It should include:

· First aid supplies;
· Instant cold packs;
· Extra blankets;
· Flash lights, including a model that could be used as a lantern;
· Batteries;
· Radio;
· Water and nonperishable food items, and;
· Copies of important documents, such as Medicare card, health insurance cards, and Powers of Attorney, etc.

Power outages can knock out cell-phone service, so a landline phone (with cord) is also advisable.

If it is safer to have your loved one stay with you, remember to take their health information (as discussed at the beginning of this article) along with their medications, dietary supplement shakes, diabetes monitoring devices, insulin injections, eyeglasses, hearing aid batteries, and other assistive devices, such as a walker or shower chair.