4 Items Every Senior Needs In A Disaster Kit

By Shanele Healy | September 6, 2022 |

September is National Preparedness Month and it’s a great time for seniors and their families to make sure that their disaster kits are fully stocked and ready to go in case there is a disaster like a fire, flood, or a prolonged power outage. Because seniors who are aging at home are particularly vulnerable in the case of emergencies it’s absolutely essential for seniors to have a disaster plan in place and to have a well-stocked disaster kit. Home care assistance for seniors is also important. If you can’t get to your senior loved one in an emergency home care assistance can make sure that your senior parent is safe at home and make sure they are taken care of. Four of the most important items for seniors to have in their disaster kit are:

Water

Home Care Services Concord, NC: National Preparedness Month

Seniors can quickly get dehydrated, so it’s critically important for seniors to have extra water to drink at all times. In the case of an emergency if the power is out or the city waster isn’t pumping or if the water isn’t safe to drink because of flood water your senior parent must have access to clean drinking water. Make sure that you have stocked your senior parent’s garage, storm closet, or other easily accessible space with extra water. Get small bottles of water, not large jugs, because small bottles are easier for seniors to grip and carry.

Food

Food is just as important as water. Seniors who have conditions like diabetes need to eat regularly in order to help regulate their blood sugar. And seniors in general tend to not eat enough so there should be protein bars and shakes, dried fruit, and other healthy snacks with the water that you are putting in a disaster kit for your loved one.

Medications

If your senior loved one takes medications every day that they can’t go without like insulin, heart medication, or medication for a condition like Alzheimer’s make sure that their disaster kit has enough medication to get them through a couple of weeks if necessary. Seniors may not always have time to grab their medications in the event of an emergency so it’s safer to make sure that there are extra bottles of those medications in the disaster kit. If your senior loved one is diabetic and needs insulin make sure there is dry ice or another method that can be used to keep it cold.

Dry Clothing

If the disaster ends up causing a flood or if there’s an intense storm your senior loved one will probably need dry clothing. A disaster kit should contain several pairs of dry socks, a pair of shoes, a wind proof jacket, a sweater, and a light shirt. There should also be pants and shorts that your senior loved one like wear also. It’s also a good idea to put in a hat or several hats, sunscreen, and a pair of sunglasses in case the weather is going to be sunny after the disaster.

If you or an aging loved one are considering in Home Care Services in Concord, NC, please call the professional staff at Caring at Heart today at (704) 379-7510. Serving Charlotte, Statesville, Ballantyne, Mooresville, Huntersville, Matthews, Concord, Gastonia, Pineville and Indian Trail

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Shanele Healy

Owner at Caring at Heart

Caring for others has always been a passion for the owner. She joined the healthcare field while still in high school believing that every health provider had the same intentions at heart. While working as a nurse assistant,Gloria quickly realized that those whom needed us most were being neglected and not receiving the best quality of care they deserved.
Knowing in her heart that families deserved better, she started Caring At Heart in 2008 with two key goals in mind: To provide clients and their families with an experience that was personable, easy, and reassuring and to create a working environment that employees were excited and proud to be a part of.