When I lived in Florida, I had a neighbor named Mrs. Carmen. She was in the late 1970s, bright independent, and only lived with her two dogs and one cat, who were her closest companions.
Every hurricane season would frighten them if I would check her when the wind started to pick up. She once told me: “I’m more afraid of being forgotten than from the storm itself.” Her fear was not just about the weather; The point was to face it alone.
When hurricanes struck, we often measure the damage in downstairs high -voltage lines, flooded roads and houses torn by the wind. But some of the most serious consequences are more difficult to see, especially for older adults who can struggle with Mobility, chronic health problems and cognitive decline.
Emergency parality plans too often overlook the specific needs of the elderly America’s aging populationof whom many live alone. For people like Mrs. Carmen, resilience has to start long before the storm.
The number of older adults in the US and the percentage of the population aged 65 and older has risen. [Image: US Census Bureau]
I Study on disaster preparations and response. To prepare me for the hurricane season and every other disaster, I encourage families to work with their older adults now to make an emergency plan. Preparing can ensure that older adults are safe and be able to contact family members or others for help and the medicines, documents and supplies they need, as well as the peace of mind to know what steps they should take.
Recent hurricanes show the gaps
In 2024, hurricanes Helene and Milton put the risks for older adults in the spotlight.
The storms forced Thousands of people to evacuate” often to hiding places With little more than food supplies and mattresses on the floor and poorly equipped for medical needs.
Floods isolated many rural housesStranding older adults. Power was out For weeks in some areas. Emergency systems were overwhelmed.
A Tornado tore in a senior community In Port St. Lucie, Florida, during Milton, in which six people are killed. Some Long -term care institutions Lost electricity and water During Helene.
At the same time, some are older adults chose to stay in houses in danger from fear that they would be separated from their pets Or that their houses would be destroyed.
These events are not only tragic; They are predictable. Many older adults cannot evacuate without help, and many evacuation centers are not willing to meet their needs.
How to prepare: 5 Key Steps
Older adults help to prepare for emergency situations, so that everyone knows what to expect. The best plans are personal, practical and proactive, but they will contain some common elements.
Here are five important steps:
1. Prepare an emergency folder with important documents.
Disasters can leave older adults Without essential information And supplies they need, such as receptive lists, financial data, medical devices and – actually – transfer information to reach family, friends and neighbors that could help them.
Many older adults rely on pre -programmed telephone numbers. If their phone is lost or the battery is dying, they may not know how to reach friends or loved ones, so it is useful to have a hard copy of phone numbers.
Consider stimulating the use of Medical ID -Braceles Or cards for people with memory loss.
The hurricane season starts on June 1. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
To prepare you ahead, you can develop an evacuation plan, compile a disaster facility kit, make a communication plan and more.
For more tips for hurricane parade, go: visit: https://t.co/GG4OGHLNOG pic.twitter.com/wukb1c1cut
– Polk Emergency MGMT (@polkemergency) May 6, 2025
Critical documents such as wills, house acts, lawyers and insurance records are often kept in physical form and can be forgotten or lost in a sudden evacuation. Usage waterproof storage That is easy to wear and share copies with trusted care providers and family members in case those documents are lost.
2. Keep back -up medicines and equipment.
Consider the aids and health needs of that person. It is important to have extra batteries at hand, just like remembering to bring chargers and personal mobility aids, such as walkers, walking sticks, mobility scooters or wheelchairs. Remember that service animals support mobility, so having supplies of their food will be important during a hurricane or evacuation.
Ask doctors for a Emergency set of medicines In the event that supplies run low in a disaster.
If the person stays at home, Prepare for at least 72 hours of self -supply in case the power goes out. That means enough bottled water, extra pet food and human food that does not require cooling or cooking.
3. Evacuation routes and reception options.
Identify nearby hiding places That will probably be able to support the mobility and cognitive challenges of older adults. If the person has pets, make a plan for them-many areas have at least one pet-friendly hiding place, but not all hiding places take pets.
Find out how the person gets in a hiding place and a backup plan has not an option in case their usual transport is. And decide where they are going and how they will get there if they cannot return home after a storm.
If your loved one lives in a care institution, ask to see the hurricane plan of that facility.
4. Make a MultiperScheck-in system.
Do not rely on only one caregiver or family member to check older adults. Involve neighbors, religious communities or local services, such as meals from home, transport help, support groups and senior citizens. Redundancy is crucial when systems break down.
5. Practice the plan.
Go through evacuation steps in advance, so that everyone knows what to do. Performing the plan should be a second nature, not turned during a disaster or crisis.
Planning with, not just for older adults
Emergency planning is not done for older adults – it is done something to them.
The elderly not only bring vulnerability, but also wisdom. Their preferences and autonomy will have to lead to decisions for the plan to be successful in a crisis.
That means listening to their needs, honoring their independence and ensuring that care providers have realistic plans. It is an important shift from just responding to a storm to preparing goal.
Lee Ann Rawlins Williams is a clinical assistant professor of education, health and behavioral studies on the University of North Dakota.
This article has been re -published from The conversation Under a Creative Commons license. Read the Original article.
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