It’s important that West Australians living with diabetes have a plan for dealing with extreme events such as Cyclone Zelia, writes diabetes educator JESSICA WEISS.
Australia is a country of extremes, with incredible natural beauty combined with weather events and natural disasters. From cyclones and floods, to fires and droughts, even heatwaves and frosts, we have to be organised and prepared for all scenarios.
For people living with diabetes, extreme weather events such as cyclones(which can disrupt supply chains and access to health services), present particular challenges that require special preparation.
These include:
- Medications: Pick up medications ahead of time if possible or get in the habit of collecting medications at least one week before they run out. If you are caught out, contact your local pharmacy for advice.
- Diabetes supplies: Try and keep spare supplies of glucose monitoring equipment (including strips), ketone strips if required, a spare monitor and spare batteries. Consider if there is anything else vital to have a back-up of.
- A plan for emergencies: Consider all the things that could go wrong and what you may be able to do should that happen.
- Lists and contact details: Listing your medications, medical conditions and contact information for your health professionals
- Have a sick day management plan so you are prepared should you feel unwell, especially if help is not on-hand.
Examples of things that might go wrong include:
- Losing power for an extended time. This could affect the fridge you use to store medications or your ability to charge your phone that connects to a pump or CGM. Do you have access to a generator? What about portable charging or refrigeration devices?
- Needing to evacuate. Do you have a bag packed of spare diabetes supplies? Are your medications in one location?
To help with planning, you can prepare an Emergency Diabetes Plan.
If you need assistance with products or advice, you are welcome to reach out to our team at 1300 001 880.
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