Older Adults: Disaster Preparedness

Tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and hurricanes - these natural disasters reinforce the fury for which Mother Nature is capable. And they serve as reminders to how especially dangerous natural disasters can be for older adults. Some older adults may have experience and wisdom when it comes to mother nature. But they are also more vulnerable during a disaster, especially if they have chronic illness, medication or medical equipment needs, mobility issues, functional limitation, or dementia. Some older adults may have social and economic constraints that interfere with their ability to prepare or evacuate. Other older adults feel more vulnerable or more easily overwhelmed. They may even have more trouble hearing, accessing, or understanding information and/or recommendations about safety and evacuation. Still others, do not want to believe anything will happen. So they refuse or feel reluctant to leave their home and their possessions behind. They prefer to wait out the danger in the familiarity and perceived security of their home. Time has proven, however, that the danger in lack of planning and/or ignoring evacuation recommendations is deadly. Numbers are not yet available for 2022’s Hurricane Ian, but the AARP reported that more than 70% of those who died during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 were older adults who refused or were unable to evacuate.

According to the CDC, “If an emergency does occur, being prepared can save valuable time and possibly lives.” Therefore, it is important for family, friends, and community members to develop a plan should a natural disaster occur.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports, “Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters.”

A challenge vulnerable older adults face when staring down a natural disaster is that their needs do not go away in a state of emergency. For those living in long-term care facilities, the hope is that operating generators and professional caregivers will look out for the residents’ best interest. Families should always ask about a facility’s disaster plan. The CDC recommends asking the following questions:

  • “What emergency plans are in place?”
  • “How does the facility define an emergency?”
  • “Are sufficient supplies and generators available?”
  • “When will an evacuation occur?”
  • “How will it be carried out?”
  • “Do you practice your emergency response plan?”
  • “How and by whom will we be notified if our loved one has to be evacuated?” 

Older adults who live at home or rely on informal care may not be able to relocate or move out of danger’s way without help. They may not be able to survive and recover post disaster without help. They may need help with daily care, mobility, transportation, medication, even supervision in cases of dementia. In addition to accessibility, it is important to think about need and access to medication and medical and mobility equipment.  After a disaster, it is important to consider the risk of conditions, such as a lack of safe water, food, extreme temperatures, stress, exposure to infection, lack of shelter, missing medication, mobility and medical equipment, etc.

The CDC encourages older adults living at home to plan for emergencies. They remind older adults that it may take time for responders to organize and reach disaster victims. Therefore, the CDC recommends stocking basic supplies, such as nonperishable food, water, medicine, flashlights, batteries, radio, and a first aid kit. They recommend planning ahead to prepare your house, get gas, etc. The CDC recommends creating an emergency plan. The plan should include a checklist of items to bring with you such as medications, glasses, hearing aids, assistive technology, mobility and medical equipment, and back up batteries. It is important to create a means for transporting items necessary for survival. Make copies of prescriptions, emergency contacts, health-care providers, mobility and medical equipment including style and serial numbers. Keep copies of these lists with you in a waterproof container as well is in another location — such as a family member’s home. Make advanced plans to take a pet with you or make arrangements with a vet or shelter. According to the CDC, many emergency shelters do not allow people to have their pets because of health, safety, and noise concerns. Make arrangements for where you might go if you need to leave your house — a family member, friend, shelter, hotel, etc. Some shelters provide access to medical care. If you have medical needs, do not wait to make arrangements with these shelters in advance of the disaster if possible. 

It is also important to know your risks and how to prepare depending on where you live. If you live in Kentucky for example, the state is susceptible to ice, flash floods, and tornadoes. People in Florida should recognize the dangers of hurricanes. People living in the north should be familiar with blizzards. People out west may experience more earthquakes and wildfires. Media and government agencies do their best to warn residents of certain kinds of disasters and emergencies. The U.S. Administration on Aging (AOA) recognizes that not all natural disasters can be predicted. But they do provide some basic preparations that apply to most types of disaster. Specifically, the AOA recommends:

  • Communicate. Develop an emergency communication plan within your family, friends, and/or neighbors. Choose a key person(s) to whom intended whereabouts and well-being are to be reported during the disaster.
  • Charge cellphones and get backup batteries.
  • Notify your contact if you leave your home.  
  • Stay Educated. Get a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
  • Evacuate early rather than later. It is better to get ahead of rain, flooded roads, debris, etc., than to drive in it.
  • Name a Meeting Place. In some cases, communication will be cut off, therefore it can be helpful to have a familiar and convenient meeting spot. Recognize that circumstances can change this spot.
  • Stock up. “Be ready with a supply of personal, health, and home supplies, including a two-week supply of prescription medications, enough nonperishable food and water to last three days, first-aid supplies (including hand sanitizer, face masks, gloves, soap), candles and matches, flashlights, a waterproof container for essential documents, and items needed by older adults and persons with disabilities.”
  • Prepare a to-go kit ready for a quick departure. “Kits should include a flashlight, extra batteries, a battery-operated radio, a first-aid kit, contact lenses or eyeglasses, medications, copies of prescriptions, photo identification, copies of essential documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, Social Security card, and Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance cards, emergency contact information, name of medical power of attorney), and a small amount of cash (a maximum of $50).”
  • Wear an identification band with your name, list of allergies, and an emergency contact name and number.
  • Get a whistle to signal for help.

After a disaster, older adults and their families can turn to aging services for help. In Kentucky this may include the Department for Aging and Independent Living, Area Agencies on Aging, local senior centers, and the Cooperative Extension Service.

References:

Bensen, W. F. CDC Healthy Aging Program. (nd). CDC’s Disaster Planning Goal: Protect Older Adults. Retrieved https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/disaster_planning_goal.pdf

Bensen, W. F. CDC Healthy Aging Program. (nd). Disaster Planning Tips for Older Adults and their Families. Retrieved https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/disaster_planning_tips.pdf#:~:text=To%20keep%20planning%20from%20seeming%20overwhelming%2C%20experts%20recommend,to%20seal%20out%20toxins%20from%20a%20chemical%20attack.

CDC Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/older-adult-emergency.html. This information has been specifically created to help older adults know what they should disaster strike.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov site offers a specific list of emergency resources, including items that should be in a basic emergency kit. https://www.ready.gov/kit

Source: Amy F. Kostelic, Associate Extension Professor for Adult Development and Aging

Social media post: Older adults will have special needs during a disaster, so make sure you’re prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store. We have suggestions for what you should have on hand to ride out anything.