If you are a caregiver of an aging loved one, it is important to prepare yourself and your family for unexpected events such as weather emergencies, power outages, water outages, explosions, fires, sheltering-in, and natural disasters. In this blog post, we provide helpful tips and resources for preparing for emergencies. Click the titles below to jump to a specific section.
Questions to Ask Yourself | General Emergency Guidelines | Winter Weather | Fire Safety | Water Outage | Power Outage | Tornadoes
General Emergency Guidelines
- If a crisis occurs, call 911. If your loved one is a Four Seasons patient, call Four Seasons after speaking with emergency services at 866.466.9734.
- Keep emergency phone numbers and phone numbers for power, water, and gas companies in a list by your phone. Your social worker can help you compile this list.
- Locate First Aid kit and place in an easily accessible place.
- Locate flashlight, batteries, candles, and matches/lighters.
- Have at least three days of food or water on hand.
- Place important papers in a safe, protected place.
- Gather glasses, dentures, medicine, other critical medical devices, and clothes.
- Service your vehicle and fill with gas.
- Follow the recommendations of local authorities.
- Be prepared to leave quickly. Develop an evacuation plan for fire that includes how to evacuate those who need help to walk or are confined to bed.
- Plan ahead in case of a situation or disaster that requires the patient to leave the home.
- Develop a plan for where the patient may be moved to and have a backup plan in place in case the primary plan is not an option when a need arises.
- Decide specifically who will do what, and be sure to communicate the plan to everyone involved.
- Encourage your loved one to keep electronics charged at all times during bad weather seasons or when inclement weather is expected.
Winter Weather
- Encourage elderly or those with limited mobility to stay indoors. If they must go out, ensure they have proper clothing to stay warm and safe.
- If snow or ice is possible, salt your loved one’s outdoor walkways and driveway.
- Invest in a generator that has enough wattage to support essential needs, such as medical equipment, space heaters, and the refrigerator.
- In the event of impending weather, be sure to stock up on the power source your generator requires (gas, propane, etc.) and start it to make sure it is running properly. Never run a generator inside a home or garage.
- Confirm that smoke and CO2 detectors are working and have fresh batteries. Some alternate heat sources can produce carbon monoxide and/or be fire hazards.
- Ensure vehicles are fully serviced and filled with gas.
- Encourage your loved one to stay home if possible. Help them reschedule appointments, get groceries, pick up medications, etc., before inclement weather sets in.
- Create an emergency preparedness kit and plan an evacuation route if one is needed.
Fire Safety
- Have a fire extinguisher or multiple in the home and ensure they are up to date.
- There should be at least one functioning smoke detector for each level of your home.
- Make sure all pathways are clear. Never block exits.
- Fireplaces and space heaters should not be left unattended while in use.
- Space heaters should be plugged directly into the wall. Do not plug into extension cords or power strips. Ensure there is at least 3 feet of space on all sides.
Water Outage
- Call the water company.
- Use bottled water for drinking if available. If not, boil water for 1-3 minutes, depending on your location’s altitude.
- Restrict use of available water.
- Check online or call local authorities to find available water resources.
Power Outage
- Contact your power company if you rely on an oxygen concentrator or any other electric medical device at home. The power company can put you on a priority list to restore power.
- For your safety, your oxygen equipment company will give you backup oxygen tanks to use in case the power goes out.
- Put together an emergency supply kit including:
- Flashlights
- Portable radio with batteries
- Plastic bags (with self-locking zippers, such as Ziploc) for medicine and supplies
- Canned food and bottled water
- It is important to have an escape plan and practice it. We can help you develop your plan.
- A sheet can be used as a “sled’ to pull someone across the floor if someone cannot walk or get into a wheelchair.
Tornadoes
- In the event of a tornado, move to the lowest level or basement of the home.
- If there is no basement, move to an interior room or hallway that does not have windows.
- If the patient is unable to leave their room or go to another level of the home, they should be moved towards an inner wall and covered up with blankets.
- Close all blinds and drapes in the room to reduce the amount of debris and broken glass if the window breaks.
Be Prepared: Questions to Ask Yourself
Heat & Warmth (Highest Priority)
Goal: Prevent hypothermia if power or heat is lost.
- Do you have at least one warm room you can stay in if the power goes out?
- What heat source will you use if the furnace stops working?
- Do you have extra blankets, coats, hats, gloves, and warm socks?
- Are your space heaters safe and ready (no extension cords, nothing nearby that could catch fire)?
- If the house gets cold, who can you go stay with?
Power Outage Preparedness
Goal: Maintain light, communication, and medical equipment.
- Do you have flashlights that work? (Not just candles)
- Are there extra batteries?
- Is your cell phone fully charged?
- Do you have a battery pack or car charger for your phone?
- If you use medical equipment (oxygen, CPAP, nebulizer), do you have a backup power plan?
Medications & Medical Needs
Goal: Avoid emergency gaps in care.
- Do you have at least 5–7 days of medications?
- Are your medications easy to reach if it’s dark or cold?
- Do you have a written list of medications and allergies?
- Is any medication temperature-sensitive that needs protection from freezing?
- Do you know who to call if you have a medical issue during the storm?
Food & Water
Goal: Ensure nutrition without electricity.
- Do you have easy-to-eat food that doesn’t need cooking?
- Do you have enough drinking water for several days?
- Do you have a manual can opener?
- Are there foods that are easy on your stomach if you’re not feeling well?
Safety Inside the Home
Goal: Prevent falls and carbon monoxide exposure.
- Are your walkways clear inside the house?
- Do you have night lights or flashlights near your bed and bathroom?
- Are smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors working?
- Are you not using grills, ovens, or propane heaters indoors?
Communication & Check-In Plan
Goal: Prevent isolation during outages.
- Who will check on you, and how often?
- If we can’t reach you by phone, what’s the backup plan?
- Do neighbors know to look out for you?
- Do you know how to call 911 or local emergency services if needed?
Evacuation or Relocation Plan
Goal: Have a clear “Plan B.”
- If the power is out for more than a day, where will you go?
- Who will help you get there?
- Is there a go-bag ready (meds, clothes, charger, ID)?
