5 Ways Families Can Help Seniors Prepare for Emergencies

September is National Preparedness Month, making it a good time for families to review how
prepared the seniors they love are for an emergency. For seniors who live alone, have mobility
limitations, or rely on assistance with daily activities, having an emergency plan can be especially
important.

For seniors, an emergency can be especially challenging. A power outage, extreme heat, wildfire,
earthquake, flood, or other disaster may interrupt daily routines, access to food and medications,
transportation, or the care they normally rely on.

A little planning ahead can make a big difference.

Why Emergency Preparedness Matters for Seniors

Seniors may have mobility limitations, live alone, rely on daily assistance, or need help with
medications, meals, personal care, or transportation. During an emergency, these needs don’t
disappear.

Families should consider more than simply where a senior will go during an emergency. It’s also
important to think about how they will safely get there, what supplies they will need, and who can
provide assistance if their usual caregiver is unable to reach them.

1. Create an Emergency Contact List

Keep important phone numbers in an easy-to-find location. Include family members, caregivers,
doctors, emergency contacts, neighbors, and other trusted people who may be able to help.

For seniors who live alone, make sure someone regularly checks in and knows how to reach them
during an emergency.

2. Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit

Keep essential supplies available for several days. Depending on the senior’s needs, the kit may
include:

• Water and nonperishable food
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First-aid supplies
• Hygiene and personal care items
• Extra mobility or incontinence supplies
• Important medications
• Phone chargers or backup power
• Copies of important documents and emergency information

Keep supplies somewhere that is easy to access.

3. Keep Medications and Important Information Organized

Make sure medications and essential health information are easy to locate. Family members and
caregivers should know where this information is kept and what medications the senior regularly
takes.

Having these details organized in advance can save valuable time during an emergency.

4. Plan for Mobility and Transportation Needs

Think about how the senior would safely leave the home if evacuation became necessary.

Consider:

• Walking or mobility limitations
• Walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility equipment
• Transportation arrangements
• Who can provide physical assistance
• Where the senior would go
• What would happen if their usual caregiver could not get there

A plan is especially important for seniors who cannot safely evacuate on their own.

5. Have a Backup Care Plan

A regular caregiver may not always be able to reach the home during an emergency. Identify family
members, trusted contacts, neighbors, or other care resources who may be able to provide
assistance if normal arrangements are disrupted.

The goal is to make sure a senior is not left without necessary support simply because the usual care
routine has been interrupted.

Don’t Forget Communication

During an emergency, phone or internet service may be limited. Families can establish a designated
contact person and decide how they will communicate if they become separated.

It can also help to:

• Write down emergency instructions
• Keep important contact information somewhere visible
• Make sure family members and caregivers know the plan
• Check that the senior understands what to do and who to contact
• Review the plan regularly and update it when needs change

Preparedness Can Bring Peace of Mind

Emergency preparedness isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about being ready to support the
seniors who depend on us when the unexpected happens.

Taking a little time this September to organize supplies, create an emergency plan, and establish a
backup care plan can help families feel more prepared and confident.

This National Preparedness Month, take a few minutes to ask: If an emergency happened
today, would our family know how to help the senior we love?

A good plan can make a difficult situation safer, more organized, and less overwhelming—for seniors
and the people who care for them.