The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative (AGEC) is collaborating with UAMS Health ARConnectNow, the American Red Cross, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, The Alzheimer’s Association, Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS), and Edward Jones to present a community event on “Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults.”
The event will be held from 9:30 a.m.-12 n.n. on May 6 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church’s Wesley Hall, 4823 Woodlawn Drive in Little Rock. Free parking will be available off Lee Avenue.
“Informing older adults about disaster preparedness, and the various resources available, is essential to “aging-in-place” efforts.,” said Laura Spradley, MS, outreach coordinator for AGEC. “Education and events such as this assist older adults who may or may not live alone or have health conditions to be more adequately prepared for any type of disaster.”
Attendees can receive free blood sugar and blood pressure screenings from members of the Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services. Karen Konarski-Hart, DC, EMT, will provide training on utilizing Narcan kits, which can reduce the effects of an opioid overdose, and the Red Cross will offer hands-only CPR training and information about their smoke detector program.
The AGEC, Konarski-Hart, Shaun Greening of Edward Jones and Jill Thompson with the Alzheimer’s Association will assist in teaching participants how to prepare a disaster kit and organize paperwork, as well as how to prepare for a disaster if your loved one has a dementia. ARConnectNow will discuss virtual mental health resources available from UAMS for coping with disasters.
The Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative is funded by a $3.7 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.