Mini-Lesson: Emergency Preparedness
New Beginnings: A Discussion Guide for Living Well With Diabetes
What You Need to Know
Problems and unexpected challenges are a normal part of life. For people with diabetes, minor problems can have a major effect on their health if they are not prepared to deal with them. This module contains a discussion on preparing for emergencies and natural disasters such as hurricanes, snowstorms, and earthquakes.
This lesson has resources and questions to lead a small group discussion with people who have diabetes. It can be used as part of an existing class or as a stand-alone activity. This discussion can be led by a diabetes care and education specialist, health educator, community health worker, peer counselor, or anyone with training and experience leading support groups and group education.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to
- Name at least three actions they can take to prepare for an emergency.
Key Message
It is important for people with diabetes and their families to be prepared for emergencies and natural disasters like hurricanes, snowstorms, and earthquakes.
Going Virtual Tips
- Take a few minutes at the beginning of the session to explain the features of the video teleconferencing platform and the ground rules for virtual sessions. For example:Mute video or phone when not speaking.
- Say your name before speaking (especially on the phone).
- Participants are not required to have or use a video camera.
- They can submit photos of themselves instead. This may make group members more comfortable.
- Use the virtual whiteboard to brainstorm ways to be prepared for emergencies or modify the Think-Pair-Share activity to a “round robin” and go around the virtual room. See the Connecting Thread: Facilitating New Beginnings Online for ideas on how to adapt activities.
Session Outline
Group Leader Instructions
Group Leader Instructions
Talking Points and Discussion Questions
Talking Points and Discussion Questions
Ask:
Ask:
What are some things you think a person with diabetes needs to do to be ready for an emergency?
What do you do in your house to prepare for an emergency?
What are some things you think a person with diabetes needs to do to be ready for an emergency?
What do you do in your house to prepare for an emergency?
Say:
Say:
Make an emergency supply kit with items such as:
- Water: One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food: At least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
See Ready.Gov for more information.
Other important items to remember:
- Always have glucose tablets or juice with sugar in it with you to treat low blood sugar.
- Let people know you have diabetes by wearing an ID bracelet or carrying a card in your wallet.
- Stay as healthy as you can by:
- Taking your medicines and checking your blood sugar regularly.
- Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water.
- Checking your feet every day and getting help for any cuts or sores.
- Keep a list of all of your medical conditions, medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), pharmacies, and doctors in a Ziplock bag or other waterproof, sealed bag. If you have an insulin pump, write down important information such as the name of the manufacturer and the model number, in case you need to get a new one.
- Have extra supplies on hand for testing your blood sugar. If you have an insulin pump, make sure you have extra batteries and a waterproof bag to keep it in.
- Plan for how you will keep in touch with family members. Keep the phone numbers of out-of-town family or friends you can call in case you can’t reach people who live near you.
- Discuss your emergency planning strategies with your family members or friends so they are aware and can better help you in an emergency.
Make an emergency supply kit with items such as:
- Water: One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food: At least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
See Ready.Gov for more information.
Other important items to remember:
- Always have glucose tablets or juice with sugar in it with you to treat low blood sugar.
- Let people know you have diabetes by wearing an ID bracelet or carrying a card in your wallet.
- Stay as healthy as you can by:
- Taking your medicines and checking your blood sugar regularly.
- Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water.
- Checking your feet every day and getting help for any cuts or sores.
- Keep a list of all of your medical conditions, medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), pharmacies, and doctors in a Ziplock bag or other waterproof, sealed bag. If you have an insulin pump, write down important information such as the name of the manufacturer and the model number, in case you need to get a new one.
- Have extra supplies on hand for testing your blood sugar. If you have an insulin pump, make sure you have extra batteries and a waterproof bag to keep it in.
- Plan for how you will keep in touch with family members. Keep the phone numbers of out-of-town family or friends you can call in case you can’t reach people who live near you.
- Discuss your emergency planning strategies with your family members or friends so they are aware and can better help you in an emergency.
Activity:
Activity:
Think-Pair-Share: Emergency Preparedness
The goal of this activity is for participants to identify tasks they need to do to be ready for an emergency.
- Ask participants to work in small groups.
- Ask participants to think about what they have at home for emergencies. Identify items they have and items they do not have.
- Ask participants to identify three things they will do in the next week to get ready for an emergency.
- Ask participants to share their ideas for getting ready for an emergency.
Think-Pair-Share: Emergency Preparedness
The goal of this activity is for participants to identify tasks they need to do to be ready for an emergency.
- Ask participants to work in small groups.
- Ask participants to think about what they have at home for emergencies. Identify items they have and items they do not have.
- Ask participants to identify three things they will do in the next week to get ready for an emergency.
- Ask participants to share their ideas for getting ready for an emergency.
Close the session
- Take final questions.
- Thank the group for their participation.
- Ask participants to visit Ready.Gov to review the resources and suggestions listed there.
- Remind participants about the next session. Ask if they have specific questions or issues they would like addressed.
- Ask participants to do the session evaluation.
- CDC: Diabetes Care During Emergencies
- CDC: Managing Insulin in an Emergency
- Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists: Diabetes Emergency Preparedness
- American Diabetes Association: Tips for Emergency Preparedness
- Ready.Gov