Caregiver Tips: Help Your Loved One Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit

Whether your loved one lives in your home, independently, or in a senior community, now is thetime to have the conversation about emergency preparedness.

While following the news during the days surrounding snow storms, fires and hurricanes, mostAmericans realize that older adults can be disproportionately affected by disasters. These eventsserve as a stark reminder of how quickly and completely a sudden, unexpected emergency candisrupt normal living.Physical impairments, medical and dietary needs, lack of transportation, and isolation can makeit harder to be safe, and to recover from a hazardous situation. But advanced preparation makes itfar easier to take appropriate action in the event of an emergency.One important step to being prepared is to create an emergency supply kit. Here is a checklist touse as you help your loved one assemble these items.

Prepare Your "Stay at Home" Emergency Supplies

These are the things needed to survive safely in the home until help can arrive. In a major disaster, this can mean several days or perhaps even a week or more. For planning purposes, youneed to assume the person would be without power and would not be able to go out for food or water. Household emergency supplies should include:

•

Enough water to last 3 to 6 days (recommended quantity: one gallon per person per day).

•

Food, enough for 3 to 6 days, consisting of high-energy items that won't spoil and don'trequire cooking.

•

Flashlight

•

Portable radio

•

Spare batteries

•

First aid kit