Caregivers make up 16.6% – or almost 40 million people – of the United States, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance. More than a million of those live in Georgia. While those caregivers are constantly thinking about how to keep their loved ones alive or just making the best out of a situation each day, there are things they don’t always think about, like preparing for emergencies, such as natural disasters. 

“It’s not about if a disaster will happen, it’s about when it will happen,” said Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Administrative Officer Moranda Guy. 

On October 15, Guy represented Macon-Bibb’s EMA at the Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregivers Symposium in Detroit, Michigan. She was invited to speak on a panel about emergency preparedness. 

“When people are faced with being caregivers, all they’re thinking about is the daily care; they’re not really thinking about the ‘what if’ and ‘do I have something in place?’,” said Guy. “So, I spoke about the importance of preparedness and trying to identify those caregivers in our community.” 

Guy was chosen because of her efforts in our community to get caregivers the information they need to stay prepared. She has made it a mission to build partnerships within our community to get caregivers and their families the best information possible. Her effort to do so comes from experience being a caregiver for her mother who was diagnosed with dementia, and her daughter who was diagnosed with lupus. 

“I want people to know they are not alone,” said Guy. “It takes a village. For me, it’s not about pushing out information. It’s about having meaningful, one on one conversations, and knowing a person’s story and needs.” 

“The work that Moranda is doing to help the caregiving population prepare for disasters here in Macon-Bibb County and across the country is so commendable,” said EMA Director Spencer Hawkins. “She truly understands the needs of those caring for loved ones and takes that to heart while working on this issue. I am extremely proud that she is part of our team helping our community be more prepared and keep those we love safe.” 

While the panelists provided information about how to best prepare when it comes to natural disasters or emergencies, they also learned a lot from those in the audience who are caregivers. Guy says she wants to keep learning and figure out ways to help. If you have any questions, you can reach out to her at [email protected].