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Gustav - Special Needs Shelters in Mississippi
Aug. 29, 2008: Andrew Ketchings Of the Mississippi Governor’s Office has just released evacuation points for Medical Needs.
*Special Medical Needs Shelters*
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
1028 J. C. Reed Dr.
Wesson, MS 39191
Dr. Ronnie Nettles, President
Hudspeth Regional Center
100 Hudspeth Center Dr.
Whitfield, MS 39193
Dr. John Lipscomb, Director
Hinds Community College
501 Main St.
Raymond, MS 39154
Dr. Clyde Muse, President
Thomas Wasson, VP Facilities
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
51 Main St.
Perkinston, MS 39573
Dr. Mary Graham, VP
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
George County Campus
11203 Hwy 63 South
Lucedale, MS 39452
Dr. Dean Belton, Dean
Pearl River Community College
101 Highway 11 North
Poplarville, MS 39470
Dr. William Lewis, President
Dr. Adam Breerwood, Dean of Student Affairs
Pearl River Community College
Forrest County Center – Hattiesburg
5448 US Hwy 49S
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Dr. Cecil Burt, Dean
Southwest MS Community College
1156 College Dr.
Summit, MS 39666
Oliver Young, President
INFORMATION JUST IN:
You do not have to be pre registered to go to the medical needs shelters. The”triage” will be in place on the coast to assess whether individuals should stay on the coast or be bused to the special needs shelters further north. They indicated that as each shelter reaches 80% capacity they will open another shelter.
Information on Special Needs Shelters
■ Special Needs Shelter to Open in Jackson
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) will open the first shelter for Mississippians with Special Medical Needs today at 4 p.m. at Hinds Community College, 501 Main Street in Raymond, MS. (Located west of Jackson on Hwy 18)
Definition of “SPECIAL NEEDS” shelters
Special Medical Needs Shelters are available to citizens who suffer from a health or medical condition that meets the following criteria:
* Individuals who are in need of assistance for routine care such as eating, walking and using the bathroom.
* Individuals who require ambulatory care, with or without the use of assistive devices.
* Individuals in need of assistance for managing health care, including taking medications or using medical equipment.
* Individuals with the following stable or non-complicated medical issues: diabetes, Foley catheter maintenance, medication maintenance, blood pressure monitoring, severe arthritis, naso-gastric or gastrostomy tubes (home maintenance), ostomy, Alzheimer’s Disease, stable stroke, stable cardiac, stable cancer, stable oxygen and nebulizer therapy (e.g. COPD, Asthma), dressings (must have nursing care plan and supplies) and hospice, if there are no complex issues.
* Other individuals with disabilities including those who are blind, hearing impaired, mobility impaired or with any minor medical condition not listed above.
Residents may bring a caregiver with them to the shelter. The caregiver may be a family member or a healthcare provider. Those persons who are bedridden and require total care may be admitted to a Special Medical Needs Shelter if they are accompanied and cared for by a responsible caregiver and do not require a hospital bed. Conditions in the Special Medical Needs Shelters require that individuals be able to safely sleep on a cot or mat.
Individuals with medical conditions that require more complex care than is available at a Special Needs Medical Shelter should make arrangements with their physician for admission to a hospital or nursing facility.
Residents should bring their medication, medical supplies and equipment along with the contact information of their physician, pharmacy and, if applicable, oxygen supplier. At least seven days of prescription and non-prescription medication and oxygen, if used, is needed.
Additionally, residents should bring important papers and telephone numbers, sheets, blankets and pillows, personal hygiene items, non-perishable special dietary items, personal snacks and drinks, and a flashlight and batteries.
Single parents with young children who qualify for a Special Medical Needs Shelter may bring the children with them if no other plans can be made for their care.
Special Medical Needs residents may bring their pets with them, however, only service dogs are allowed inside the residents’ shelter. Another nearby location on the Hinds Community College campus will be made available to house other pets and residents will be able to visit their pets at that location.
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Mississippi State Department of Health
Media Alert
For Immediate Release
Contact: Liz Sharlot, Carol Jarvis Jones, Elizabeth Grey or Matt Staggs - Office of Communications 601-576-7667
Date: August 31, 2008
Time: 12:45 p.m.
Dialysis
Dialysis patients with concerns about maintaining their routine dialysis schedule or the availability of dialysis facilities for evacuees should call the transient treatment travel line toll-free at 1-877-936-9260.
Special Medical Needs Shelters
At this time, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has opened one state special medical needs shelter at Hinds Community College, 501 Main Street in Raymond.
MSDH will advise the media when additional shelters are opened.
Anyone needing transportation to a special medical needs shelter should call their local emergency management agency or Mississippi 2-1-1.
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For more information on hurricane preparedness and safety, or if you would like to volunteer during emergencies, visit the MSDH website at www.HealthyMS.com or call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-866-HLTHY4U (1-866-458-4948).
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