Senior Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Any Disaster

A power outage, wildfire, hurricane, flood, tornado, winter storm, or other emergency can disrupt daily routines quickly. For an older adult who depends on medications, mobility equipment, oxygen, medical devices, or help from a caregiver, even a short disruption can create additional challenges.

A good emergency plan does not need to be complicated. The goal is to know what you need, where it is, who can help, and how you will receive reliable information.

This senior emergency preparedness checklist can help older adults, families, and caregivers prepare before an emergency happens.

Start With a Personal Emergency Plan

Emergency preparedness is not one-size-fits-all. Older adults should build plans around their health, mobility, communication, transportation, and daily care needs.

The Administration for Community Living emphasizes that older adults and people with disabilities may have unique needs during emergencies, particularly when access to food, water, shelter, medical care, transportation, or support services is disrupted.

Build a Senior Go-Bag

A go-bag is a portable emergency kit that can be grabbed quickly if you need to leave home.

CDC guidance recommends that emergency kits be customized around a person's individual health and functional needs. For people who use medications, medical supplies, communication aids, or mobility equipment, those items should be part of the plan.

Senior Go-Bag Checklist

Consider packing:

• Bottled water
• Nonperishable food that meets dietary needs
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Phone charger
• Portable power bank
• First-aid supplies
• Change of clothing
• Sturdy shoes
• Personal hygiene supplies
• Face masks if needed
• Small amount of cash
• Copies of identification
• Insurance information
• Emergency contact list
• Medical information
• Copies of important documents
• House and vehicle keys

Store important papers in a waterproof container or sealed plastic pouch. The National Institute on Aging also recommends protecting important medical, insurance, and emergency contact information and keeping digital copies when possible.

Make Medications a Priority

Medication planning is especially important for older adults who take several prescriptions.

The CDC recommends considering at least a one-week supply of prescription medication in an emergency kit when possible. People who use refrigerated medicines should also plan for appropriate cooling.

Your medication kit should include:

• Prescription medications
• Updated medication list
• Medication name and dosage
• Prescribing doctor's information
• Pharmacy name and phone number
• Medication allergy information
• Necessary syringes, test strips, inhalers, or other supplies
• Cooler or cold-storage plan for refrigerated medication

Do not change doses or stop medications simply because an emergency occurs. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist ahead of time how to manage essential medications during evacuations, extended power outages, or pharmacy closures.

Plan for Mobility Aids and Medical Equipment

If you use a cane, walker, wheelchair, hearing aids, oxygen equipment, CPAP machine, scooter, or another medical device, include it in your emergency planning.

CDC emergency preparedness guidance specifically recommends considering extra mobility devices when available, batteries or portable chargers for adaptive equipment, communication aids, and necessary medical supplies.

Mobility and Medical Equipment Checklist

• Cane or walker
• Wheelchair or scooter
• Wheelchair or scooter charger
• Hearing aids
• Extra hearing-aid batteries
• Eyeglasses
• Oxygen supplies
• CPAP or other respiratory equipment
• Backup batteries or power source
• Written equipment instructions
• Medical supplier contact information

If a device depends on electricity, talk with the equipment supplier and healthcare team about what to do during an extended power failure.

Register for Local Special Needs Assistance

Some communities operate special needs shelters, medical needs shelters, evacuation assistance programs, or access and functional needs registries.

These programs may help emergency planners identify residents who need medical support, accessible shelter arrangements, transportation, or assistance with electrically powered medical equipment.

Requirements vary widely by state and county.

For example, Florida operates a Special Needs Registry in coordination with local emergency management agencies. Some county programs assist residents who rely on oxygen, electrical medical equipment, mobility assistance, or additional medical support during evacuation. Registration and eligibility rules vary, and registration may not guarantee a shelter placement.

Sign Up for Community Emergency Alerts

You should not depend on only one source for emergency information.

Ready.gov recommends signing up for state and local emergency alerts and notes that Wireless Emergency Alerts can quickly deliver critical public safety information.

Create Several Ways to Receive Warnings

• Register for your city or county's text and email alert system
• Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your mobile phone
• Download the FEMA app
• Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Consider a NOAA Weather Radio
• Follow your local emergency management agency
• Keep important phone numbers written on paper

The FEMA app can provide weather and emergency alerts and information about nearby shelters.

Having more than one alert method matters because internet access, electricity, cellular service, or television service may be interrupted during a disaster.

Create a Personal Support Network

Think about who could realistically help you if transportation, communication, or normal caregiving services were interrupted.

Your support network might include:

• A nearby family member
• Neighbor
• Friend
• Caregiver
• Home care provider
• Senior living staff member
• Faith community member

Choose at least two people when possible.

Give them basic information about:

• Your evacuation plan
• Medications
• Mobility limitations
• Medical equipment
• Emergency contacts
• Pets or service animals
• Where your emergency supplies are located

Do not assume someone will automatically know you need assistance.

Do Not Forget Pets and Service Animals

If you have a pet or service animal, prepare supplies for them as well.

Pack:

• Food and water
• Medications
• Leash or harness
• Carrier when appropriate
• Identification
• Veterinary information
• Sanitation supplies

Shelter policies for pets can vary, so identify your options before an emergency. The National Institute on Aging recommends including pets and service or support animals in disaster planning.

Review Your Plan Twice a Year

Emergency plans can quickly become outdated.

Every six months, check:

• Medication lists
• Emergency contacts
• Food expiration dates
• Batteries
• Medical information
• Insurance documents
• Alert registrations
• Transportation arrangements
• Special needs registry information

Also review your plan whenever your health, medications, mobility, living arrangements, or caregiver situation changes.

Quick Answers About Senior Emergency Preparedness

How much medication should a senior keep for emergencies?

CDC emergency kit guidance recommends considering at least a one-week supply of prescription medications when possible. Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance plan about refill rules and safe storage.

Should seniors register for a special needs shelter?

If you require medical assistance, powered medical equipment, accessible transportation, or additional support during evacuation, contact your local emergency management office to learn whether a registration program exists.

How can seniors receive local emergency alerts?

Sign up with your city or county emergency notification system, keep phone emergency alerts enabled, and consider the FEMA app and a NOAA Weather Radio.

What is the most important part of a senior go-bag?

Prioritize medications, medical information, mobility and communication equipment, emergency contacts, food, water, and any supplies needed to safely manage your health.

Emergency Preparedness Starts Before the Emergency

For older adults and caregivers, preparedness is less about having a perfect emergency kit and more about making sure essential needs are covered.

Build the go-bag. Write down the medication list. Plan transportation. Register for local assistance if eligible. Sign up for emergency alerts. Identify who will check on you.

A few practical steps taken now can make decisions much easier when conditions change quickly.

Seniors Blue Book connects seniors and families with trusted local senior resources and service providers.

If you are a senior care or aging-services provider looking to make your business easier for families to find, ask us about getting listed with Seniors Blue Book.

Contact Seniors Blue Book:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 800-201-9989