Senior Emergency Preparedness Checklist: What Older Adults Need

How to Use This Checklist

This checklist is designed specifically for adults 65+ or those with medical complexity, limited mobility, or other factors that make standard emergency preparedness advice insufficient. Work through each section with a family member or trusted friend if possible.

Items are marked by priority. Complete Priority 1 items before moving to Priority 2.

Priority 1: Medical Preparedness (Do This Week)

Medication Management

• Complete medication list written down including:
  • Medication name (generic and brand)
  • Dosage and schedule
  • Prescribing doctor
  • Pharmacy name and phone
  • What happens if a dose is missed
  • Refill date
• Medication list laminated and in wallet
• Copy of medication list in emergency document kit
• 30-day emergency supply of all regular medications
• Cold-storage medications identified: _________
• Plan for maintaining cold chain during power outage (insulated bag + ice packs)
• Discussion with doctor about emergency substitution options completed

Medical Information Summary

• Medical conditions list written down
• Blood type recorded
• Allergy list written (medications and food)
• Primary care physician contact
• Specialist contacts for ongoing conditions
• Health insurance card and policy number accessible
• Medicare/Medicaid information (if applicable) accessible

Medical Equipment

• Backup batteries for hearing aids (2-month supply)
• Backup or extra glasses stored
• Supplies for any medical devices (CPAP, nebulizer, etc.)
• Battery backup or manual alternative for electrically powered medical equipment
• Contact lens supplies or spare glasses if needed

Priority 1: Emergency Contact Network

• Primary emergency contact designated (family member): _________
• This person has your current address and phone number
• This person has access to your emergency information
• This person knows your medical situation
• Secondary contact (neighbor): _________
• Neighbor has your key and basic medical information
• Mutual check-in arrangement with neighbor established
• Tertiary contact (community/organization): _________

Priority 2: Communication Tools (Complete This Month)

• Phone numbers written on paper (not just stored in phone)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio for emergency broadcasts
• Extra batteries for radio
• Large-button phone or landline as backup to smartphone
• Medical alert device battery life known (if applicable)
• Medical alert service notified of emergency contact preferences
• Emergency services number memorized: 112 (EU) / 911 (US) / 999 (UK)

Priority 2: Customized Emergency Supplies

Food (2-week supply)

• Easy-to-prepare foods (no cooking required, or minimal cooking)
• Dietary restrictions accommodated (low-sodium, diabetic-appropriate, etc.)
• Foods you can actually eat (texture, swallowing)
• Manual can opener included
• Smaller, lighter containers used where possible

2-week food checklist tailored for seniors:

• Canned soups (easy to heat or eat cold)
• Crackers and peanut butter
• Canned fruit in juice (no sugar added if diabetic)
• Instant oatmeal or porridge
• Nuts (energy-dense, no cooking)
• Dried fruit (light, calorie-dense)
• Canned or dried beans
• Ready-to-eat individual portions

Water

• 2-week water supply calculated (minimum 2 liters/day for drinking + cooking)
• Containers are a manageable weight individually
• Water purification tablets as backup
• Portable water filter (lighter than carrying large quantities)

Comfort and Thermal Management

• Warm clothing layers accessible (not only in seasonal storage)
• Extra blankets
• Hot water bottle (manual warmth option without electricity)
• Small battery-powered fan for heat emergencies
• Emergency reflective blanket (retains body heat)

Priority 2: Home Safety Preparation

• Headlamp or flashlight accessible from bed without standing
• Plug-in emergency lights installed (charge automatically, turn on when power fails)
• Path from bed to bathroom and exit marked with glow tape or known by memory
• Night light with battery backup in bathroom
• Any tripping hazards in emergency navigation path removed
• Smoke detector and CO detector batteries current (test monthly)

Priority 3: Evacuation Planning

• Honest assessment of evacuation capability completed:
  • Time to evacuate: _________ minutes
  • Physical assistance required: Yes / No
  • Special transport requirements: _________
• Evacuation assistant designated: _________
• Assistant has agreed and has your contact information
• Go-bag weight assessed (realistic for your physical capacity)
• Transportation plan: drive yourself / designated driver / public evacuation
• Medications ready to grab quickly (pre-packed organizer)
• Cold-storage medications: insulated bag in refrigerator, ready to grab
• Two evacuation routes from home practiced

If You Live in an Apartment/Multi-Story Building

• Building manager contact stored
• Elevator alternative if elevator fails during power outage
• Evacuation assistance from building management discussed
• Neighbors on your floor who can assist identified

Priority 3: Community Resources

• Registered with local emergency management as person needing assistance
• Senior services center or community center contact known
• Any transportation assistance programs in your area identified
• Local faith community emergency network (if applicable) known
• Meals on Wheels or similar service contact (if applicable)

Maintenance Schedule

Monthly:

• Check medication supplies (approaching expiration?)
• Test battery-powered devices (radio, emergency lights, hearing aid backup batteries)
• Check in with emergency contacts (confirm contact info still current)

Every 6 months:

• Update medication list (medications change frequently for older adults)
• Rotate food and water supplies
• Review and update emergency contact list
• Update medical information if conditions have changed

Annually:

• Full checklist review with family member or trusted friend
• Medical summary update
• Review community resource contacts
• Practice evacuation procedure

Completing This With Family

This checklist is most valuable when completed alongside a trusted family member or friend. Consider:

• Sharing a copy of your completed checklist with your primary emergency contact
• Ensuring your primary contact knows where your emergency supplies and documents are
• Walking through your home together so they can help you if needed during an emergency

A completed, regularly-reviewed emergency plan provides genuine peace of mind — and genuine safety. The goal isn't to worry more; it's to worry less because you're genuinely prepared.