How to Build an Emergency Kit for Aging Loved Ones & Adults with Disabilities
When an emergency strikes, whether it’s a sudden storm, power outage, or heatwave, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your loved one is safe and has what they need to get by. Older adults and individuals with disabilities are often at a higher risk during disasters because of mobility limitations, medical conditions, or simply the need for more specialized care.
Creating a personalized emergency kit is one of the most powerful ways to help them prepare for anything. It means that your loved one’s daily needs are accounted for, even when circumstances are unpredictable. A few simple steps today can give you the peace of mind that you’re ready for whatever tomorrow brings.
Here’s what to include in a disability emergency kit or an older adult safety kit for disaster support. This will help you get started small and then continue to make progress on compiling all the resources your loved one needs.
Why a Standard Emergency Kit Isn’t Enough
Most families know the basics of emergency preparedness: stock up on food, water, flashlights, and extra batteries. But when you’re caregiving in emergencies for an aging parent or a family member with a disability, those basics aren’t always enough.
A senior or adult with disabilities may rely on mobility aids, refrigerated medications, or medical devices that require backup power. They might also have specific sensory needs or challenges with communication that have to be considered. That’s why a personalized emergency kit tailored to their health, comfort, and daily routines is so important.
To help guide your planning, FEMA also offers a disaster preparedness guide that serves as a great starting point for the first couple of steps in an emergency kit for older adults.1
What to Include in a Personalized Emergency Kit
There are a few basics that should be in every emergency kit or disaster supply kit, no matter a person’s age or ability. You may want to pair select items to create a “go bag,” or simpler version of your kit that’s made for fast evacuation rather than sheltering in place.2 Aim to cover these core elements:
Water & Food: You’ll need at least a three-day supply of water, for starters. It’s best to have around one full gallon of water per person, per day for drinking and hygiene upkeep. A three-day supply of non-perishable foods like canned goods, protein bars, dried fruit, and nuts is essential. Don’t forget a can opener!
Lights, Power & First Aid: Be sure to include a flashlight with batteries and a portable power bank that you can plug a smartphone into for recharging. A simple first aid kit with bandages, rubbing alcohol, and hand sanitizer is also a must.
Shelter & Hygiene: Sleeping bags, blankets, and some extra clothing are good to have handy. You may want to include bars of soap or wipes for easy hand washing and quick bathing. Garbage bags are also helpful to keep things clean, whether that’s trash or laundry waiting to be refreshed.
Medication & Medical Supplies: Start by creating a written or printed list of medications, dosages, and allergies. Then do your best to gather a small supply of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications if possible. Gather other relevant supplies, like backup oxygen, extra eyeglasses, hearing aid batteries, insulin storage solutions, and period care or incontinence products.
Contact Information: Create a binder or small notebook to house key phone numbers and addresses: emergency services, shelters, hospitals, primary doctors, close family, and neighbors. A paper map of the local area may be useful too, along with a whistle to signal for help in the event of floods or other dangerous situations.
Cash & Important Documents: You should already have a few things stashed in an easy-to-reach place in an emergency, such as passports, birth certificates, and money in small bills. But you might want to include copies of medical records, insurance cards, wills, and other legal papers.
Special Considerations for Disabilities or Chronic Conditions
Do you need to go beyond the basics in your emergency kit? Certain health conditions, mobility limitations, or sensory sensitivities may require extra preparation to ensure comfort and safety during a crisis. Emergencies can be especially disorienting for those with dementia, autism, or other conditions that heighten stress or confusion.
Mobility & General Comfort: If your loved one needs mobility assistance, have an extra walker or cane stored away for emergency use or a manual wheelchair. It’s also a good idea to stash a few books, puzzles, playing cards, or other forms of entertainment for passing the time and easing stress.
Sensory or Cognitive Needs: Noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, or eye masks can block overwhelming sounds or lights. Even soothing items like stress balls or fidget toys can help reduce anxiety. Sometimes simply having duplicates on hand of favorite clothing or blanket textures will bring a sense of calm.
Detailed Instructions: You may want to pre-print cue cards or visual instructions for individuals who struggle with memory or communication. This might mean pictures of steps for medication or bathroom routines or even pre-recorded audio of a familiar person walking the loved one through certain tasks.
Service or Therapy Animal Supplies: Don’t forget to pack extra food, water, leashes, ID tags, and waste bags for any pets that live with your loved one. Include any medications the animal may need, along with updated vaccination records or medical documentation.
Chronic Health Needs: Consider a battery-powered or portable generator for devices like CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, or nebulizers. Pack extra batteries, extension cords, or power banks for smaller medical devices like hearing aids or glucose monitors. Small coolers are also useful for storing insulin and other meds requiring refrigeration.
Emergency Communication & Planning
Knowing how to use your emergency kit and having a clear plan in place is an important part of keeping your loved one safe.
Begin with a personalized emergency plan that covers evacuation routes, meeting locations, and communication methods. You can go the extra mile to contact local emergency management to learn about senior-specific shelters, disability registries, or other community resources that may be available during disasters and then put those details in your emergency kit.
Make sure you sign up your loved one and any helpers for local emergency alerts like text or weather notifications. If they don’t wear one already, consider giving your loved one a medical alert bracelet or tag so first responders can quickly access vital information.
Then put your kit to full use by building a reliable support network of family members, friends, neighbors, and caregivers. If your loved one already receives professional home care, review important plan details with their caregiver and notify them of where your kit is stored, what medical equipment or medications are essential, and how to help if you can’t be there. You need to get everyone on the same page and ready to rally around your loved one in the event of an emergency.
Small Steps for Big Peace of Mind
Getting your emergency kit situated doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. It may take a little while to collect all the resources you want to include, but try to take things one step at a time. Start with the bare minimum materials and then add in personal touches that help your loved one feel safer, calmer, and better equipped.
Comfort Keepers caregivers can help you during visits with emergency preparedness by conducting routine kit checks, stocking essential items, and making sure your loved one is prepared for the unexpected. If you’d like guidance on building an emergency plan or simply want extra peace of mind, we’re here for you.
Get in touch with our team to learn more about our caregiving and companionship services and our track record of helping families in the Greater Philadelphia area.
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