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Being prepared for an emergency is
important at every age.

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As an older American, you may need to
think about taking some specific steps

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as you get yourself prepared in case of
a disaster.

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As people age, their needs change and
their capabilities change, so in

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preparing for a disaster, it’s important
to think differently than you might

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have at earlier ages. Preparing for an
emergency is very empowering for older

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adults, because it gives them the
opportunity to identify what they need

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and ensure that they’ll have those
needs met when a disaster strikes.

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Take a few minutes to check out the
Ready.gov website which features

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specific tips and tools for older
Americans.

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There are a few basics:

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First, learn about the types of risks
that could affect your area.

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Then, make a plan.

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You can use the “Family Emergency Plan”
available on Ready.gov to organize and

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help you develop a plan that works for
you.

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Create a personal support network if
you need special assistance during an

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emergency.

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A personal support network is very
important for all Americans,

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but especially for older Americans.
It can include your family, friends,

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neighbors, doctors, organizations,
places where you worship, places where

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you do activities, and just making sure
that those people know what your needs

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are in case of a disaster.

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Let the people in your personal support
network know what medicines you rely

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on and if you have any physical
limitations.

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For older Americans who receive
services such as home health care, or

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receive regular medical treatments,
it’s important to reach out to those

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service providers ahead of time, and
communicate to them what your needs

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are and also to understand what their
emergency plans are in case of a

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disaster.

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Identify someone locally and someone
out of state who will be your contact

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person in case of an emergency, and
learn how to send updates via text

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messaging to your friends and family.

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One of the things that we’ve noticed in
the past during major emergencies, both

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the regular phone lines as well as the
cell phone lines were overwhelmed, but

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people were still able to text message
vital pieces of information in terms of

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location, nature of problem or just to
text to say “all is well.”

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Once you have a plan, prepare an
emergency kit.

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A standard emergency kit includes food,
water, and medicine to sustain all

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members of your household for at least
three days.

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Visit Ready.gov for a complete list
of suggested items, along with

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recommendations for how to prepare a
family emergency plan.

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Pay particular attention to certain
things like making sure you have enough

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of any medications you take, an extra
pair of glasses in case one breaks, or

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extra batteries for hearing aids.

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It’s important to remember that certain
things such as medicines can go bad and

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spoil. So just make sure, that what
you’re putting into your kit is not

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expired, and check it on a regular
basis.

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If you are unable to obtain an
emergency supply, be sure to always

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fill your prescriptions on the first
day you become eligible for a refill,

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rather than waiting until the day you
run out.

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Keep copies of important documents like
birth certificates, insurance policies,

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Medicare cards, and financial forms in
your emergency supply kit.

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Also consider placing electronic copies
of this information on a portable flash

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drive. This could be useful for others
even if you don’t personally use a

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computer.

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For those who depend on the mail for
their Social Security benefits,

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switching to electronic payments is one
simple, significant way people can

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protect themselves financially before
disaster strikes.

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Federal benefit recipients can sign up
by calling (800) 333-1795 or

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at www.godirect.org.

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A disaster can occur at any moment.
By making the commitment to prepare

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yourself ahead of time, you’ll have the
peace of mind and confidence needed to

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get through any emergency situation.

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Check out the information for older
Americans on Ready.gov and get started

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preparing today!

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