Emergency Preparedness for the Elderly

No matter who you are, it’s important to be prepared for disasters. The likelihood of survival (and being comfortable while surviving) is much higher when you plan and prepare ahead of time. Some individuals, including many elderly, are more vulnerable than others and need to stock up on extra supplies and should take extra time to create an emergency plan with a personal support network. We understand that life gets busy however, and it’s easy to forget to make a plan, so we’ve come up with some essential emergency preparedness tips for seniors to help you get started.

Emergency Planning for the Elderly

Identify Your Greatest Risks – If you live in Kansas, there’s probably not much need to prepare for a hurricane. The key to efficiently preparing for an emergency is identifying the risks that are greatest in your region. The northeast United States is typically the most in danger from severe winter storms. The south and southeast are most susceptible to hurricanes, the West coast is most likely to experience earthquakes, and the Midwest is known as “Tornado Alley” for a good reason. No matter where you live, there is also always the potential for fires and a blackout.
Create a Support Network – While many seniors are in good health, there are others who have limitations. Whether you have hearing or visions problems, use a cane or a wheelchair or you have other disabilities, it’s vital you not be caught unprepared. Emergencies can strike without warning, so it’s important you have a network who can help and check up on you. Meet with friends, family and caregivers to discuss your limitations, exchange house keys and important information and make arrangements for who will check up on you, how and when. Make everyone know your plan and can use any lifesaving equipment or administer any medicine you may need, in case you can’t do it yourself.
It can also be a good idea to choose at least one out-of-town contact, in case everyone in your area is affected or you can’t make local calls.
Prepare an Emergency Kit – An emergency kit for seniors should not only include the basics like food, water and first aid supplies, but it should also be stocked up with any and all prescriptions, over-the-counter medication and equipment you may need. During an emergency, you may not be able to travel to the store or pharmacy, so it’s important you already have enough of everything you could need. You also will likely be unable to reach your doctor, so talk to them ahead of time about any concerns you have and what else you can do to prepare.
Beyond food, water and medical supplies, your emergency kit should also include a flashlight and extra batteries, pet supplies if you have a pet, and a solar or battery powered radio that you can use if the power is out. Familiarize yourself with your emergency kit and supplies before a disaster strikes, so if you need to find and use something quickly you already know how to do so.
Did we miss any essential emergency preparedness tips for seniors? Let us know how you can up with you plan in the comments below!

What to Include in an Emergency Preparedness Kit for College Students

Headed off to college? Tests aren’t the only thing you’ll have to worry about. Whether you’re living in a dorm or an apartment, when you’re at college and off on your own for the first time, it’ s important to be prepared for emergencies like storms and power outages. Creating an emergency kit for school before you leave home is the best and easiest way to stay prepared. When it comes to creating an emergency preparedness kit for college students, there are certain items you should always keep in stock. We’ve compiled a list of essential college student emergency kit supplies, plus some emergency situation tips you can follow to stay safe.

The Essentials:

When you’re stuck and stranded, water is a must have. Try to keep at least a three-day supply of water in your home (one gallon per person per day), as well as an additional supply in your car when you’re traveling during bad weather. You should stock up on food that is high in nutrition, has a long shelf life and can be prepared and consumed without cooking. From emergency food bars to long-term supply kits, today there is a wide variety of both nutritional and tasty survival food available.
A First Aid Kit:
A first aid kit can come in handy during minor and major emergencies alike. Your kit should include basic items like ibuprofen, bandages, antibiotic cream and burn ointment, as well as any extra prescription medications you need. A first aid handbook can come in handy when you don’t have access to the Internet and need to quickly learn how to treat burns, eye injuries, concussions and even more.

Communication Supplies:
If your cell phone dies, will you be able to contact anyone you know? While it may seem pointless during your day-to-day life, it’s important that you keep a written address/phone directory for friends and family at home. During power outages and without cell phone reception, you may also find it impossible to keep up with the latest emergency updates. It’s vital you keep a battery powered radio at home so you can stay informed about your surrounding area. Don’t forget the flashlight and to stock up on extra batteries as well!
To protect your electronics (and school files) from being damaged during a power outage, you can purchase equipment that comes with built-in surge protection, or use a separate electrical surge suppressor. Remember not to turn on all your lights, appliances and electronics while the power is out, or you may overload the circuits when it’s restored.
Familiarizing yourself with your college’s emergency plans ensures that whether you’re at home or on campus, you know what to do during a natural or man-made disaster. Many colleges also allow students to sign up for emergency texts so you can instantly be alerted of danger and given instructions on what to do next.
Comfort Items:
While at home, you may have all the extra clothes, blankets and toiletries you need, remember to store some of these items (as well as a separate first aid kit) in your car so you can always be prepared. It’s also a good idea to keep cash on hand, in case you need to buy more supplies but can’t use debit or credit cards anywhere.
Have your own tips for student safety? Tell us about them in the comments below!