Emergency Preparedness for an Aging Loved One

When it comes to preparing for an emergency it can be difficult to plan for yourself and your household; however, when you have someone in your life who is elderly, in poor health, or differently-abled, especially if they live alone, it can be even more challenging.

Below are some ideas to get you started. Please remember that this is not an exhaustive list and that you may need to do research and use your best judgement in planning for an emergency for your loved one.

This article will talk about:

1. Assessing Their Risk

2. Assessing Their Needs

3. Making A Plan

4. Engaging A Support Network

1 - ASSESS THE RISK

What are the weather risks in the area in which they live? These may include:

Tornadoes

Wind

Flooding

Ice Storms

Heavy Snowfall

Hurricanes

Extreme heat or cold

Drought

What about their surroundings?

Rural, Suburban, Urban

Above ground power lines

Access to naturally occurring water

Walking distance to supplies and medical care

2 - ASSESS THEIR NEEDS

Getting help to your loved ones if you cannot get there

Medication

Food

Water

Heating and cooling

Gas or electric stove

Evacuation

Other individual factors

3 - MAKE A PLAN

Sign up for emergency alerts & take them seriously

Get a Weather Radio and know how to use it

Post emergency information on your loved one's refrigerator, or in a safe place, & keep a copy with you. This should list:

Medication names and dosages

Allergies

Doctors phone numbers

Pharmacy phone number

Family, neighbors, friends' phone numbers

Make a plan for keeping refrigerated medications cold. Ie. coolers with ice packs, generator

Does your loved one have equipment that relies on electricity?

Oxygen machines

CPAP

Apnea, heart, or other monitors

Hospital or other electric beds and chairs

How will they charge phones and medical devices?

Heating and Cooling

Local warming and cooling stations

Battery operated fans

Propane heaters

Extra blankets

Ask your loved one's doctor & pharmacist about have a supply of extra medications in case of emergency

Other Supplies to Consider

Water - in containers that are easy to find and access, and that are not to heavy

Flashlights, battery powered lights

Batteries

First Aid

Cash

Pet Food & Supplies

FOOD

The average person needs about 2000 calories per day

Remember that without electricity there will be no refrigeration, and no use of the oven or microwave

Remember any dietary restriction and allergies

Easy to open. Consider if your loved one cannot use a manual can opener

Canned fruit, vegetables, soups, ravioli, etc. ONLY if they can use a manual or battery operated

can opener and will eat them without heating them up (unless they have a gas stove)

Peanut butter crackers

Cheese crackers

Shelf-stable fruit and vegetable cups

Fruit pouches

Protein bars

Granola bars

Trail mix

Chicken or tuna pouches

Cereal

Shelf-stable milk

Individual fruit juice

Etc.

ENGAGE YOUR SUPPORT NETWORK

Print out all pertinent information

Be sure they understand your loved one's medications

Show them where all supplies and resources are

Give them a key to the home, or hide one

OTHER HELPFUL HINTS

This has been very basic information.

Try looking at our scenarios and see how it would affect your loved one

You can charge devices in your vehicle, but be sure to open the garage door

You can open your garage door without electricity by pulling the handle in the rope hanging down from the opener

If you have water, but no power, you can still flush toilets

Cast iron cookware can be used on a “campfire”

Check on your neighbors and be part of their Support Network