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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

Administration on Aging 

National Family Caregiver Support Program 

Just In 

Case 

Emergency Readiness for Older Adults and Caregivers
 

QUICK SUMMARY: 

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita reminded us that personal 

emergency readiness needs to be a priority for everyone, 

including older adults and caregivers. This supplement to 

Aging in Stride – Plan Ahead, Stay Connected, Keep Moving 

recommends a simple, three-step approach: 

Step 1 – Know the basics. Learn about the risks your particular 

community faces; know how to do things like turning off your 

gas and electricity; get to know your neighbors. 

Step 2 – Have your emergency supplies ready. This includes 

items you would need to survive in your home until help 

arrives; it should also include a personal evacuation bag, 

partially packed and ready to go. 

Step 3 – Make a personal plan. Many older persons have 

special needs relating to medications, medical equipment, 

mobility, and support services; making a personal emergency 

readiness plan increases the likelihood that essential needs 

will still be met, even in an emergency situation. 

This Aging in Stride supplement also includes a companion 

form, Emergency Readiness Checklist for Older Adults. 
 

 

 

 

 

Just In Case
 

Emergency Readiness for Older Adults and Caregivers
 

For older adults and caregivers – as for all Americans – Hurricanes 

Katrina and Rita were a stark reminder of how quickly and completely 

a sudden, unexpected emergency can disrupt normal living. We can’t 

prevent emergencies, but there are things we can do to be prepared, just in 

case. 

SOME PERSPECTIVE 

Planning for an emergency that might never happen – and that we certainly 

hope will never happen – may not seem like a priority. But it should be. 

No matter where you live, you and your home are part of a larger 

community. It might be the neighborhood where you’ve lived for decades. 

Or maybe you’ve recently moved to a retirement community. Either way, 

your community is already working on emergency planning – that’s the 

good news. But it’s also counting on individuals like you to take 

responsibility for being prepared at a personal level. 

Chances are your personal emergency planning will never be put to a test 

like Katrina. But keep in mind that emergencies – and the disruptions they 

cause – can come in many levels of intensity. You may never need your 

flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries because of a powerful 

earthquake; but, you’ll be glad you have them the next time a windstorm 

knocks out power to your area. 

GETTING STARTED 

Somewhere in your home you probably already have an emergency 

readiness checklist – one you’ve clipped out of the paper, or a family 

member gave you, or you downloaded off the Internet. A checklist can help 

you get started and know you’ve taken the steps you should be taking. The 

form we include as a supplement to Aging in Stride is attached and is also 

available as a free download at www.AgingInStride.org. 

As our Checklist suggests, emergency preparedness for yourself or your 

loved one doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of it as a simple, threestep process. 

page 2 of 12
 
 

STEP 1: KNOW THE BASICS 

As we’ve all learned from years of experience, the first ingredient in 

preparing for almost anything is a little practical information. 

Start by learning what kinds of risks your community faces. Do you live on 

the Atlantic or Gulf Coast where hurricanes are a concern? Are you in an 

earthquake zone? What about tornadoes? Do you live near a nuclear power 

plant or chemical storage complex? Knowing what risks you face will help 

you prepare. If disasters that strike with little or no warning (such as 

earthquake, tsunami, or tornado) are a risk for your community, you’ll 

want to know exactly what to do as your first response. 

These days, information on emergency planning for your community 

should be easy to find. Search on the Web; stop by the library or city hall; or 

ask at your area’s emergency management agency or fire department. 

Our Checklist suggests you test your readiness by asking – and being able to 

answer – these questions: 

❏	 If there were an evacuation order, what is the recommended route from 

where you live? If you don’t drive, what are your transportation options? 

Where is the nearest emergency shelter? 

❏	 Where are the shut-off valves for your household utilities (gas, 

electricity, water)? Do you know how to use them? If they take a special 

tool, is it kept right there, ready to use? 

❏	 In an emergency, local phone service may be down for an extended 

period. Have you designated someone out-of-area as your emergency 

contact? Do your loved ones know who your emergency contact will be? 

❏	 Neighbors helping neighbors can be critical in an emergency. Do you 

know your neighbors? Do they know you and any special needs you may 

have? 

STEP 2: HAVE YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES READY 

Being ready for an emergency means having the supplies you would need. 

There are two aspects to this: 

First, your “stay at home” supplies. These are the things you would need to 

survive safely in your home until help can arrive. In a major disaster, this 

can mean several days or perhaps even a week or more. For planning 

purposes, you need to assume you would be without power and would not 

be able to go out for food or water. Your household emergency supplies 

should include: 

❏	 enough water to last 3 to 6 days (recommended quantity: one gallon per 

person per day.) 

page 3 of 12
 
 

 

❏	 food – also enough for 3 to 6 days – consisting of high energy items that 

won’t spoil and don’t require cooking 

❏	 flashlight 

❏	 portable radio 

❏	 spare batteries 

❏	 first aid kit 

❏	 hand-operated can opener 

❏	 some light sticks (Along with your flashlight and spare batteries, these 

are a safe, inexpensive alternative to candles. Remember, any open 

flame in a post-disaster situation requires extreme caution, since the 

fire department will have its plate full and may not be able to 

respond quickly, or at all.) 

❏	 waterproof matches 

❏	 a 3 to 6 day supply of your prescription medications, together with an 

up-to-date list of the medications you’re taking 

❏	 cell phone, if you have one 

❏	 some cash or travelers’ checks 

❏	 your emergency contact list, including the names, phone numbers, and 

email addresses you would want to have and be able to give aid workers 

in an emergency. 

Second, your “evacuation bag.” These are the things you would need to 

have for a safe evacuation, if that became necessary. Your evacuation bag 

should be a backpack or travel bag, preferably one that rolls, that has room 

for many of the items listed above and that is pre-packed with the following 

items: 

❏	 basic personal hygiene items, such as toilet paper, alcohol wipes, and 

gel hand sanitizer 

❏	 extra pair of prescription glasses 

❏	 change of clothing 

❏	 compact rain slicker 

❏	 good pair of walking shoes 

❏	 blanket or sleeping bag 

❏	 bottle or two of water, some breakfast bars, and some hard candy 

❏	 some disposable dust masks 

❏	 a copy of both your emergency contacts list and your current 

medications list. 

page 4 of 12
 
 

 

 

 

 

Remember, the goal here is to give yourself a margin of preparedness to 

see you through until help can arrive, or to get you safely through an 

evacuation. So, think about what other items you might need, given your 

situation. 

For example, if you have a car and would expect to use it if you had to 

evacuate, you’ll want to keep the gas tank at least half or even threequarters full. This will be a bit inconvenient, because you’ll need to fill your 

tank twice as often; but that clearly beats worrying about running out of 

fuel in a real emergency! 

And if you own a pet, you’ll want to add an extra supply of pet food to your 

list. Again, this just means getting in the habit of buying it at least a week or 

two before you run out. Keep in mind, by the way, that most emergency 

shelters do not allow pets, unless they are service animals, such as a seeing 

eye dog. 

STEP 3: MAKE A PERSONAL PLAN 

You’ve gathered the information you need. You’ve pulled together the 

emergency supplies you should have on hand. You’re ready, right? 

Not quite. The third step – and for many, the most important – is to make a 

personal emergency response plan. What special needs do you have? And 

how will they be met in an emergency? 

No one knows your situation better than you. So, you are in the best 

position to plan ahead. If you have limited mobility or are disabled, you 

may be able to register with your local fire department or office of 

emergency services for special assistance. If you use an electric wheelchair 

or scooter, consider keeping your old, unpowered model around for 

emergency use. 

If you are receiving health care services at home, ask your home health 

provider about emergency procedures. For example, if you depend on 

electric power for home dialysis or infusion, you’ll want to know your 

options for temporary emergency power or, in the case of home infusion, 

you may want to discuss having a back-up drip system. 

If you live in a retirement community, assisted living facility, or adult 

family home, learn about emergency planning and procedures. How will 

you be kept informed? What will the facility or community expect of you 

and your fellow residents? 

This is personal planning. But that doesn’t mean doing it all on your own. 

If you can, work through the checklist with a family member or friend. 

Chances are they’ll jump at the opportunity; and it will be a good reminder 

for them to be ready, as well. 

page 5 of 12
 
 

 

A WORD ABOUT THE RISK OF PANDEMIC FLU 

Seasonal influenza – or flu – kills about 35,000 Americans each year, with 

older adults being at especially high risk. You’ve probably read about bird 

(or avian) flu. Health officials are watching it closely. They’re worried bird 

flu might trigger a worldwide pandemic, like the deadly Spanish Influenza 

pandemic of 1918. 

Because influenza – whether pandemic or seasonal – poses a serious 

health risk to older people, there are some simple precautions we should 

all be taking: 

First, get your annual flu shot as protection against seasonal flu. And check 

with your doctor about vaccination for bacterial pneumonia. The actual 

cause of death for many who die in a flu outbreak is pneumonia. The CDC 

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends pneumonia 

vaccination for all adults 65 and older. 

Second, keep your body’s natural immunity as strong as possible. Eat right. 

Drink plenty of water. Get your rest. Make physical exercise a regular part 

of your day. 

Third, take the smart, usual precautions against spreading any infection. 

Keep your hands clean by washing them with warm water and soap – 

remember, the recommended time to really get them clean is 10 to 20 

seconds. If washing is inconvenient, use an alcohol hand sanitizer or wipe. 

Cover your coughs and sneezes. And, don’t touch your eyes, mouth, or 

nose, unless you’ve cleaned your hands first. 

WORTH THE EFFORT 

No doubt about it, completing your emergency readiness checklist will take 

some time and attention. But look around you – we’re talking about your 

home, your safety, and your peace of mind in knowing you’re prepared. 

And once you’ve finished your own checklist, you become a valuable 

resource to friends and neighbors, helping them get prepared. 

Invest the time today, and then get on with your life. It’s the smart thing to 

do, just in case. 

page 6 of 12
 
 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION
 

The Red Cross website offers information on disaster 

preparedness, including “Preparing for Disaster for People with 

Disabilities and Other Special Needs.” Go to www.redcross.org for 

news, safety tips and updates. 

The FEMA website includes a 204-page booklet to help you 

prepare for specific emergencies (www.fema.gov/areyouready). 

The site also offers information on assisting people with 

disabilities during a disaster (www.fema.gov/rrr/assistf.shtm). 

More information is available from the Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention’s Emergency Preparedness and Response website, 

www.bt.cdc.gov, and from the U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security’s consumer site, www.ready.gov. The Department of 

Health and Human Services website also features “Disasters and 

Emergencies” (www.hhs.gov/disasters/index.shtml), a 

comprehensive list of resources. 

For more on Pandemic Flu, including a personal planning 

checklist, visit www.pandemicflu.gov, the official U.S. government 

Web site for information on the topic. 

Information about your own community’s preparedness policies 

can be found on city, county and state Office of Emergency 

Management websites. For a directory of state agencies, see 

www.fema.gov/fema/statedr.shtm. 

For additional copies of this Factsheet and the companion 

Checklist, visit www.AgingInStride.org or www.AoA.gov. 

THIS FACTSHEET IS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE BOOK, AGING IN STRIDE – PLAN AHEAD, STAY CONNECTED, KEEP MOVING. 

COPYRIGHT 2006, CHRISTINE HIMES FORDYCE, M.D., DENNIS E. KENNY, J.D., 

ELIZABETH N. OETTINGER, CARESOURCE HEALTHCARE COMMUNICATIONS. 

YOU MAY MAKE COPIES FOR PERSONAL USE WITHOUT CHARGE. 

ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.AOA.GOV OR WWW.AGINGINSTRIDE.ORG. 

page 7of 12
 
 

 

 

EMERGENCY READINESS CHECKLIST
 

FOR OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS
 

Use this four-page form to: (1) organize your emergency preparations, 

(2) list your emergency contacts, and (3) keep a record of your current 

medications. You may want to give a copy to your main contact person or 

caregiver, if you have one. And don’t forget to review and update this 

information often – at least every two or three months. 

STEP 1: KNOW THE BASICS 

____	 The most important disaster issues for the area where I live 

____	 The recommended life-saving responses for disasters that could strike 

with little or no warning. 

____	 If there were an evacuation order, the recommended route from where 

I live? My evacuation transportation options. The location of the 

nearest emergency shelter. 

____	 The location of shut-off valves for my household utilities (gas, 

electricity, water) and how to use them. (If they take a special tool, it 

should be kept right there, ready to use) 

____	 Designate an out-of-area emergency contact, in case local phone 

service is disrupted. Make sure my loved ones know the emergency 

communications plan. 

____	 Make it a point to meet my neighbors, in case we need to help one 

another in an emergency 

STEP 2: HAVE ESSENTIAL EMERGENCY SUPPLIES READY 

“Stay at Home” Emergency Supplies – pull these items together for quick, easy 

access in your home; have quantities to last at least 3 to 6 days; rotate any 

items with expiration or “use by” dates: 

_____ drinking water _____ light sticks 

_____ food (non-perishable; ready to eat) _____ waterproof matches 

_____ flashlight _____ supply of prescription medicines 

_____ portable radio _____ current medications list 

_____ extra batteries _____ cell phone 

_____ first aid kit _____ cash or traveler’s checks 

_____ hand-operated can opener _____ emergency contacts list 

page 8 of 12
 
Evacuation Bag – have a backpack or bag (preferably one on rollers) that has 

room for many of the items listed above and is also ready to go with these 

items: 

_____ personal hygiene items, such as _____ some breakfast bars 

toilet paper, alcohol wipes, and _____ blanket or sleeping bag gel hand sanitizer _____ disposable dust masks _____ change of clothing _____ copy of emergency contacts list _____ compact rain slicker _____ copy of current medications list _____ good pair of walking shoes _____ spare pair of glasses _____ a bottle or two of water 

Additional Precautions: 

____ 

____ 

____ 

TEP 

____ 

_

_

_

S

Gas tank kept at least half full 

Spare hearing aid batteries 

Emergency supply of pet food 

3: MAKE A PERSONAL PLAN 

If I have any special needs, do I have a plan for meeting them in an
 

emergency?
 

____ Mobility issues?
 

____ Reliance on medical equipment that requires electric power?
 

____ Incontinence supplies?
 

____ Other:
 

____	 If I am receiving home health services, have I discussed emergency
 

procedures with my home health provider?
 

If I live in a senior living community, am I familiar with its emergency ____ planning and procedures? 

THIS CHECKLIST IS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE BOOK, AGING IN STRIDE – PLAN AHEAD, STAY CONNECTED, KEEP MOVING. 

COPYRIGHT 2006, CHRISTINE HIMES FORDYCE, M.D., DENNIS E. KENNY, J.D., 

ELIZABETH N. OETTINGER, CARESOURCE HEALTHCARE COMMUNICATIONS. 

YOU MAY MAKE COPIES FOR PERSONAL USE WITHOUT CHARGE. 

ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.AOA.GOV OR WWW.AGINGINSTRIDE.ORG. 

page 9 of 12
 
Name/Relationship 

Primary Emergency Contact:
 

Phone 

Other Emergency Contacts:
 

Healthcare Providers: 

Pharmacy: 

Homeowners insurance: 

Auto insurance: 

page 10 of 12
 

EMERGENCY CONTACTS LIST 

Name: Last Updated: 

Aging in Stride–Plan Ahead, Stay Connected, Keep Moving • www.AgingInStride
Name of Medication Strength and Frequency Taken For Prescribed By 

page 11 of 12
 

CURRENT MEDICATIONS LIST 

Name: Emergency Contact Name/Phone: Date Last Updated: 

Prescription Medications Allergies Pharmacy/Prescription Dru

Aging in Stride

–Plan Ahead, Stay Connected, Keep Moving • www.AgingInStride
page 12 of 12
 

AoA recognizes the importance of making information readily available to consumers, 

professionals, researchers, and students. Our website provides information for and about older

persons, their families, and professionals involved in aging programs and services. For more 

information about AoA, please contact: US Dept of Health and Human Services, 

Administration on Aging, Washington, DC 20201; phone: (202) 401-4541; fax (202) 357-3560; 

Email: aoainfo@aoa.gov; or contact our website at: www.aoa.gov. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION