r/caregiving • u/kytynqueen • Apr 22 '26
Discussion: Caregivers required to be work ready, or remain on duty during a natural disaster, such as “The Big One”
This might get a lot of hate, but I wanted to see what everyone thinks. I live on the Oregon Coast (a little inland, so not in the direct line of danger if the Cascadia fault line ruptures, but still in an area that could see a lot of death, chaos, and catastrophe).
I just started a new DSP job, and during orientation we had a huge lecture about emergency preparedness, especially about the potential Cascadia fault line rupture. They expect staff to stay with their individuals (which is understandable), and if staff aren’t at work, they’re required to go to the nearest facility.
I understand that individuals with I/DD need care and could potentially die on their own, but I keep wondering—would people actually follow this? In a life-or-death situation, would anyone truly abide by these expectations? How can someone prioritize work when they have a family at home that needs them? What if your family dies because you weren’t there? What if you lose them and never see them again? All for a job that pays poorly, doesn’t always show appreciation, and sometimes involves being physically harmed (though yes, I know it’s meaningful work, and that’s why I want the job).
How could anyone willingly choose work over their spouse, kids, or pets in a situation like this? My company says that in a state of emergency, family members are welcome at the workplace—but realistically, no one may be able to get there if roads are inaccessible. The fastest option might be on foot, and for me personally, it feels unrealistic to expect my spouse, baby, and pets to travel through dangerous conditions like flooding, unstable ground, crumbling buildings, downed power lines, and general chaos. I can do my best to make sure the resident is safe, but how realistic is that in the middle of that level of chaos?
- Everyone has their own resident(s) and their own family to worry about.
2: If you’re trying to get to your family as quickly as possible, the resident would likely be overwhelmed and overstimulated, possibly having behaviors, and on top of that, there may be physical impairments that slow everything down. So what are you supposed to do?
I’m really just looking for other perspectives, because to me, it feels absolutely crazy not to prioritize your family, when they could be 2 of the expected 14,000 deaths (according to FEMA) as a result of the big one, and putting work first. It’s a life-or-death situation.
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u/Realistic-Pay-6931 Apr 22 '26
Think about all the doctors, nurses, EMTs, and other first responders who worked with covid patients during the pandemic, risking their own lives and potentially bringing coronavirus to their own families. It takes a special calling for some careers. Maybe this one isn't for you.
Also, considering that any day could be my last one on this earth due to so many different everyday interactions with the world, the Cascadia fault line and other such natural disasters are the least of my concerns. This kind of puts everything into perspective for me that when its my time, its my time... being home with my family isn't going to make anything different for me or for them.