Older Adults
With age comes wisdom - and sometimes a few challenges, like decreased mobility, medical conditions, or a lack of transportation. Planning ahead is the best way to stay safe during emergencies.
Get a Kit
In addition to the basics, your kit needs to have a list of your current medications, along with dosages, times you take each medication, and the name and contact information for the prescribing doctor. You should have a 3 day emergency supply of each medication in your kit - immediately after a disaster, pharmacies may not be open, and your doctor's office likely will not be open to call in a prescription to a different pharmacy, especially if you have to evacuate the area.
Also make sure to keep extra supplies, such as batteries, spare parts and cleaning supplies for any assistive devices you use. Assistive devices should be clearly labeled with your name and cell phone number.
For more information, check out the Red Cross, Ready.gov, or the Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
Make a Plan
Before an emergency, make a plan for sheltering in place and evacuating. Work with people in your support network to either check in with them, or have them check in with you, after a disaster. At least one person should be close enough to physically come over if phones are not working after a disaster. This person should have a key to your home and know how to access your home (disabling alarms, etc), where to find copies of important documents, and be able to find your emergency preparedness kit. If you are able, you should do the same for them.
Be Informed
Check the volume on emergency alert devices, including NOAA weather radios, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure you can hear them if they alert when you are sleeping.