Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

Emergency plans built for the general public assume you can evacuate quickly, carry your own supplies, and go days without power or medication. For many older adults, none of those hold. This category covers emergency planning services, medical alert systems, home safety assessments, backup power solutions, and disaster preparedness resources.

Medication is the first priority. Keep a current written list of every medication, dose, and prescriber, plus your physicians' contact details, in a grab-and-go folder and a photo on your phone. Ask your pharmacist about an emergency supply. If you rely on refrigerated medication or powered equipment, plan for outages now.

Register with your utility and your county. Many electric utilities maintain a medical priority list for households dependent on powered equipment. Many counties keep a special-needs registry for evacuation assistance. Both require signing up in advance.

A simple plan beats a perfect one. Where would you go, who drives you, who do you call first, and where's the spare key? Write it down and give a copy to someone who doesn't live with you.

Have a plan for the pets, too — shelters vary in what they accept, and people risk their lives rather than leave an animal.