Senior Preparedness

Make a Plan

Create a support network of family, friends and others who can assist you during an emergency, and share your disaster plans with them.  Practice your plan with them. Make sure they have an extra key to your home, know where you keep your emergency supplies and how to use lifesaving equipment or administer medicine. Have a written plan that you and your support network can keep in an easy- to- access location. 


Include in your plan:

  • List your medications (type/dose)
  • Special medical conditions
  • Blood type
  • Eyeglass prescription 
  • Communication device/equipment 
  • Health insurance
  • Doctors/Specialists' contact information 
  • Pharmacists' contact information
  • ​If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify back-up service providers.
  • If you have a communication-related disability, note the best way to communicate with you.

Emergency Shelter Information

For people who need to evacuate and have no place to stay, county shelters may be set up. Listen to the radio for shelter locations. To find an accessible shelter near you during an emergency, call 3-1-1. Ask someone in your support network to go with you to the shelter. Shelters will generally provide the following:

  • Basic meals and water
  • Cots for sleeping and sitting
  • Running water for personal hygiene 
  • First aid and non-emergency health services
  • In-shelter security 

Shelters do not have special equipment, mobility aids, or batteries. Be prepared to bring your own. 

In some cases you will be need to evacuate during an emergency and public transportation may not be running. Work with your support network to determine transportation options.

Additional Resources