If possible, call the power company to report the outage. Of course, power outages are not the only emergencies inherent in severe weather. There are many people with MS who struggle to pay continually rising heating bills, or suffer at the hands of absent landlords who don't provide adequate heating and maintenance. There are a few things that neighbors and care partners can keep in mind to assist those who may need emergency aid this winter. The first step is to gather information.
Community services are available by phone or on the Internet through private and government sources.
Check out information about emergency shelter and help with heating bills. Note all services offered by community programs, the application process, waiting lists, income guidelines and fees that may be involved. If you need to bring in documents to apply for an emergency service, find out ahead of time which ones are acceptable. Medical information, such as medications, names and phone numbers of doctors, should be readily available in case of an emergency. By taking appropriate precautions, planning ahead, and making good use of community services, navigating through winter's weather hazards can be as smooth as a sleigh ride.