As a caregiver, Marc Lawrence is typically well-prepared. He shares four preparation tips for a national crisis – even a zombie apocalypse!
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I know we're tired of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, I chose to frame this article as advice for caregiving during a zombie apocalypse instead.
And I bet it got your attention!
Truth be told, if COVID-19 had been an actual zombie apocalypse, I'd have been better prepared to survive it. Over the years, I have watched many movies and television shows that taught me what I would need to defeat the zombies. I learned:
- What I would need to have on hand to survive the apocalypse
- How to deal with the shock and awe of zombie savagery
- Erm… that’s it
But during COVID-19, there was no walking dead. The virus was an unseen, silent threat that was difficult to detect and even harder to protect ourselves against.
Most people are not prepared for ANY crisis
Being prepared to deal with a disaster is a choice and a skill that varies depending on where you live and how you tolerate risk. So, I have made a few lifestyle changes in case of another pandemic, apocalypse, or other (more realistic) crises.
People who live in Tornado Alley in the United States have a somewhat predictable, regular threat (tornadoes, in case you wondered). Subsequently, they experience a persistent call to be prepared.
People in California live with the constant threat of earthquakes. Unfortunately, they only have limited warnings and periodic reminders to prepare. There can be a long time between earthquakes, so they can take you by surprise!
Regardless of the circumstance, you can either choose to take precautions or ignore them at your own peril. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducts an annual National Household Survey on Individual and Community Preparedness. The summary of the 2018 results shows a general trend towards increased preparedness.
Interestingly, even FEMA was unprepared for a pandemic. If you look, the possibility wasn't included in the survey's scenarios.
Global pandemics are uncommon, but they’re not exactly unheard of. Missing them off the survey showed a low level of preparedness, even from the experts!
I don’t want to find myself unprepared again
As a caregiver, I've grown accustomed to keeping a month's worth of consumables on hand. Stocking up reduces expenses and the need to go to the shops.
A zombie apocalypse (or the first few months, at least) will bring two types of supply problems:
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A shortage of products such as toilet paper, baby wipes, hand sanitiser, and long-lasting foods like pasta
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Massive disruptions in delivery schedules - I imagine most delivery workers will be sensible and hide!
During a recent, more real crisis (i.e., the pandemic), I was lucky enough to have lots of toilet paper. I'd mistakenly bought far too much of it pre-COVID when looking for a new supplier. I also had a decent amount of hand sanitiser since I always use it.
But baby wipes became a hot commodity, and I had to search the internet broadly to find a reliable source. I was also prepared with a supply of disposable gloves since I usually have a box or two on hand. Still, I was blindsided by the need for face masks.
One concern was the availability of prescription medication. I worried that a specific medicine might become unavailable or pharmacy operations would stop. Thankfully, neither concern became a reality.
Having lived in an earthquake-prone area of California for ten years, I know the need to keep flashlights, batteries, food, and water on hand. If there's a service disruption, you may find it difficult to get hold of these items. I'm good about flashlights and batteries, but stocking a month's worth of food and water is a problem.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, I did several deep dives into my pantry. To my not- exactly shock, I found many items that were years past their expiration dates.
No one wants to eat raisins from 2014, except maybe birds.
Now that I have a good sense of all my preparation shortfalls, it's easier to develop a more "leakproof" crisis plan.
The problem is that I know I will only maintain that comprehensive level of preparedness for a short time. Instead, I decided to pick four things I will definitely commit to long-term.
My so-called “zombie apocalypse” plan
There are four changes I plan to make in case of another crisis.
1. Ensure hand sanitiser is always on hand
(Pardon the pun)
Yes, for viral outbreaks, but hand sanitiser is valuable in almost every crisis situation.
I already have dispensers in the master and guest bathrooms. They have proven helpful in dealing with my daily caregiver duties and ensuring visitors can cleanse their hands.
I also plan to add wall-mounted dispensers in the other bathroom, the kitchen, and my wife's room for therapy sessions. I also intend to be stricter about therapists and aides cleaning their hands before they enter the house to work with my wife. The coronavirus is less of a global threat, but it is not eradicated. Plus, hand sanitiser can help prevent colds, flu, and other winter illnesses.
If all else fails, I plan to keep a supply of travel-sized bottles for emergencies and when we’re out and about.
2. Double up on care items (just in case)
As my wife’s condition evolved over the past two years, I was hesitant to order items she needed in huge quantities in case her requirements changed.
Now that her situation has stabilised, I can double up on what I usually order and keep extra on hand. That includes toilet paper, baby wipes, disposable underwear, oral care items, and other consumables. These items have a long shelf life, so this will reduce concerns about supply constraints.
I also plan to stock up on face masks. They're not a "must" anymore, but if they can stop my household from falling ill, they certainly do no harm.
3. Facilitate remote therapy sessions
Some crisis-type situations mean staying indoors. In those scenarios, it's still essential to keep up with therapy sessions (yes, even if there are zombies!)
My wife can have appointments with her psychologist and vision therapist online without issues. But, when it comes to physical therapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT), things get a bit trickier.
I purchased a recumbent bike (a bike that has the rider in a reclining position) similar to the one at physical therapy. From now on, I'm planning on increasing our PT and OT sessions here at home. The in-home facility is good for my wife and allows me to get some exercise too.
4. Have access to medical equipment, where necessary
To increase our self-sufficiency, I will keep more medical-related devices on hand. I already had a blood pressure cuff, but I’ve since ordered a temporal thermometer for quick temperature readings and a pulse oximeter to check oxygen levels in our blood. As soon as I find one, I will buy an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) for home use.
I once lost a long-time friend to a cardiac event when the ambulance was delayed due to demand. Having one is more for my benefit than my wife's, but she won't be able to operate it if the time comes. Thankfully, my daughter has agreed to me training her to use it.
Editor’s note: If you live in the UK, you may see defibrillators in public spaces such as workplaces, shopping centres, and train stations. They are known as Public Access Defibrillators (PADs). You can find more information about how to use them at BHF.org.uk.
5. There’s no such thing as perfect preparation
Having lived in California, I’ve learned that even the best-laid preparation plans can be inadequate. You can try to cover everything, but their success depends on where you are when a problem occurs.
Preparing for earthquakes is tricky since you may not be home when it hits. Pandemics might be easier, but you'll still need to semi-stockpile food and supplies. As for a zombie apocalypse, who knows? I fancy my family's chances, but I hope one doesn't hit if we're not home at the time.
Regardless, it's essential to prepare. Ignoring the possibility of serious threats can endanger your family and anyone who tries to help you.
The secret is finding the right balance between immediately beneficial and long-term preparedness. Good luck!
NPS-IE-NP-00584 November 2022