Preparing for an Emergency as a Family Caregiver Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

Caring for Loved Ones in Cases of Emergency

Make a plan now — before disaster strikes

Getty Images No one wants to contemplate the possibility of a natural disaster striking the area where an older loved one lives — but it's wise to consider what to do in such instances before an emergency happens. After all, hurricanes, tornados, fires, floods and other disasters could happen at any time. And given the increasing frequency and severity of intense weather-related events and other so-called natural disasters, it may not be a case of if, but when. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. It's a mistake to assume someone else has established a disaster preparedness plan ahead of time. involving more than 1,300 older adults, researchers from the University of Iowa found that only 34 percent reported participating in an educational program or reading information about disaster preparedness. More recently, found that most age-friendly communities and senior villages in the U.S. do not place a high priority on promoting disaster preparedness. While most public health departments have conducted disaster preparedness programs, these aren't necessarily designed to address the needs and challenges of older adults. And yet, older adults are especially vulnerable during and after disasters, whether because they have chronic health conditions or mobility challenges. That's why it's smart to “take preparatory steps in non-emergent times, so that when an emergency does occur, there's a plan in place for what older adults and family caregivers should do,” says Andrew B. Crocker, a gerontology and health specialist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service in Amarillo. Here are key steps to take, depending on where your loved one lives: Family Caregiving Savings on in-home caregiving services See more Family Caregiving offers > "If all else fails, you can call the nonemergency number for the police department and ask them to do a well-being check. But it's better to have a list of people who could help,” says Ruth Drew, director of information and support services at the Alzheimer's Association. Team help is critical in a local disaster when police may be inundated with calls for assistance. Figure out an evacuation route in case your loved one needs to relocate before, during or after an emergency. Determine how he or she can leave home safely, where he or she should go and what the best route is (including a plan for transportation). This is especially important if a loved one lives in an area that's susceptible to hurricanes and other damaging storms, Drew says. Encourage your loved one to listen to the radio or TV for advice about whether to evacuate or remain in place. Also, figure out the safest way for your loved one to shelter in place during an extreme weather event such as a tornado. Practice the evacuation or shelter-in-place drill with your loved one every six months. Create a portable that your loved one can carry or roll easily. It should include at least a three-day supply of medications, nonperishable foods and water, medical devices (such as hearing aids and batteries, glasses or contacts), a flashlight and batteries, personal hygiene items and chargers for cellphones. Review the contents every three to six months to make sure the supplies are up to date; replace items that have expired and add new ones as needed. Make and place them in a waterproof bag for safekeeping. These should include a copy of your loved one's medical insurance card, a photo ID, power of attorney documents, a list of his or her allergies and health conditions, a list of all medications that your loved one takes (including dosage, time of day and who prescribed them), and contact info for family members, doctors and caregivers. Keep the bag in a memorable place and remind your loved one to grab it before evacuating. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. MORE FROM AARP AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Family Caregiving offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Family Caregiving offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS