Category: Quick Guide / Caregiving

⚡ Preparing for Emergencies as a Caregiver

Emergencies can interrupt medications, medical care, transportation, electricity, food delivery, and other services the person you care for depends on.

Planning ahead can help you respond more quickly during a medical emergency, fire, severe storm, power outage, evacuation, or other unexpected event.

You do not need to prepare for every possible situation at once. Start with the person’s most important health, safety, communication, and daily-care needs.

Start Here

Ask:

What help does the person need every day?
What would happen if the electricity went out?
Can the person leave the home quickly?
Is accessible transportation required?
What medications or medical supplies are essential?
Does any medical equipment require electricity?
Could the person communicate their needs without you?
Who could help if you were unavailable?
Where could the person safely stay?
What would happen to pets or service animals?

Write down any problem that could place the person in danger during an emergency. Address the most serious concerns first.

Call 911 If the Person:

Is having difficulty breathing
Has severe chest pain
Is unconscious or cannot be awakened
Shows signs of a stroke
Is bleeding heavily
Has fallen and may be seriously injured
Is experiencing a severe allergic reaction
Has a seizure that lasts longer than directed in their medical emergency plan
May hurt themselves or someone else
Is trapped or cannot safely leave a dangerous location

Tell the dispatcher about any disability, dementia, communication difficulty, medical equipment, oxygen use, or mobility assistance the person requires.

1. Create an Emergency Support Team

Choose at least two or three people who could help if you were unavailable.

Your support team might include:

Family members
Friends
Neighbors
Backup caregivers
Home-care workers
Building staff
Faith or community members
Healthcare providers
A local transportation service

Tell each person what kind of help may be needed.

For example:

Checking on the person
Bringing medications or supplies
Providing transportation
Helping with an evacuation
Caring for pets
Staying with the person
Communicating with healthcare providers

Do not assume someone will be available. Ask them directly and identify at least one backup.

2. Create an Emergency Contact and Information List

Include:

The person’s full name and date of birth
Home address
Emergency contacts
Healthcare providers
Preferred hospital
Pharmacy
Medical conditions
Allergies
Current medications
Insurance information
Communication needs
Mobility needs
Medical equipment
Legal decision-makers
Important behavioral or sensory information

Keep copies:

In the emergency supply kit
Near the primary exit
With the caregiver
With a backup caregiver
On a secure phone or computer

Write the date of the most recent update on every copy.

Helpful Resources: Browse Emergency Information for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

3. Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit

Include enough supplies to manage the person’s basic needs if normal services are temporarily unavailable.

Possible supplies include:

Water
Nonperishable food
Manual can opener
Flashlights
Extra batteries
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Phone chargers and power banks
First-aid supplies
Hygiene supplies
Disposable gloves
Face masks
Change of clothing
Blankets
Copies of identification and insurance cards
Emergency contact information
Cash in small bills
Extra eyeglasses
Hearing-aid batteries
Incontinence supplies
Mobility or communication supplies
Comfort items

Choose food and supplies that match the person’s dietary, medical, sensory, and physical needs.

Store the kit somewhere that is easy to reach. Check expiration dates and replace old supplies regularly.

Helpful Resources: Browse Emergency Food & Water for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

4. Plan for Medications

Create a current medication list that includes:

Medication name
Dosage
Time taken
Reason it is taken
Prescribing provider
Pharmacy
Special storage instructions

Ask the pharmacist or healthcare provider:

How to maintain an emergency supply
What to do if a dose is missed
What to do if a medication is lost
Whether the medication requires refrigeration
How long refrigerated medication can remain at room temperature
Whether an alternative pharmacy could provide a refill

Do not use expired medication or change dosages without appropriate professional guidance.

Keep medications in their original labeled containers whenever possible.

5. Plan for Medical Equipment

Make a list of all essential equipment, such as:

Oxygen equipment
CPAP or breathing equipment
Feeding equipment
Hospital bed
Lift
Wheelchair or scooter
Communication device
Blood glucose equipment
Refrigerated medication
Suction equipment
Hearing aids

For each device, record:

Manufacturer
Model and serial number
Supplier
Support telephone number
Power requirements
Battery life
Backup-power options
Instructions for safe transportation

Contact the equipment supplier before an emergency to ask what backup options are available.

Extended power outages can be dangerous for people who depend on electrically powered medical devices. The CDC recommends identifying backup power, charging options, emergency lighting, and extra batteries before an outage occurs.

6. Create a Power-Outage Plan

Identify what the person will need if the electricity stops working.

Prepare:

Charged power banks
Flashlights and battery-powered lanterns
Extra batteries
Backup power for medical equipment
A safe source of heat or cooling
A plan for refrigerated medications
A location with electricity where the person can go
A way to open an electric garage door
A battery-powered radio
Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Never operate a generator, grill, or other fuel-burning device inside a home, garage, carport, or near doors, windows, or vents. These devices can produce deadly carbon monoxide.

If someone’s life depends on powered medical equipment, contact the healthcare provider, equipment supplier, utility company, and local emergency-management agency before an outage occurs.

7. Make an Evacuation Plan

Decide:

How the person will leave the home
Who will help them
Which exits can accommodate mobility equipment
Where you will meet
Where you will go
How you will get there
Which shelters or hotels are accessible
What equipment and supplies must come with you
How pets or service animals will be transported

Identify at least two evacuation routes in case one cannot be used.

Keep essential items together so they can be collected quickly.

Do not leave the person alone while you gather nonessential belongings. Follow evacuation instructions from local authorities.

8. Prepare for Sheltering at Home

Some emergencies may require you to remain inside.

Plan for:

Food and water
Medications
Medical supplies
Personal-care supplies
Working communication devices
Safe heating or cooling
Backup electricity
Assistance with bathing and toileting
A calm and familiar space
Activities and comfort items
Pet or service-animal needs

Monitor official alerts and follow instructions from local authorities.

If the home becomes unsafe or the person’s medical needs cannot be met, call for help or move to the planned backup location when it is safe to do so.

9. Plan for Communication Needs

Prepare a short communication card if the person has difficulty speaking, hearing, understanding, remembering, or explaining what they need.

Include statements such as:

I use a hearing aid.
I communicate using a device.
Please ask one question at a time.
I need extra time to respond.
I may become confused in unfamiliar places.
Please explain what is happening before touching me.
I have difficulty describing pain.
My caregiver or emergency contact is:

Include any language, sensory, behavioral, or cognitive needs that first responders should know.

The Administration for Community Living provides emergency-planning resources and medical and communication assistance cards for older adults and people with disabilities.

10. Plan for Pets and Service Animals

Prepare:

Food and water
Medications
Leash, harness, or carrier
Identification tags
Veterinary records
Waste-cleanup supplies
Comfort items
Contact information for the veterinarian
A temporary caregiver

Find out which shelters, hotels, and transportation services accept pets.

Service animals should be included in every evacuation and sheltering plan.

11. Practice the Plan

Review the plan with the person and the emergency support team.

Practice:

Leaving the home
Using a backup exit
Contacting emergency helpers
Reaching the meeting location
Moving medical equipment
Finding the emergency kit
Responding to a power outage

Pay attention to anything that is difficult, unsafe, or takes longer than expected.

Update the plan when the person’s health, mobility, communication, living situation, equipment, or caregivers change.

Quick Checklist

Identify the person’s essential daily needs
Choose at least two backup helpers
Create an emergency contact and information list
Prepare an emergency supply kit
Create a current medication list
Plan for medication refills and refrigeration
Record medical-equipment information
Arrange backup power when necessary
Identify two evacuation routes
Choose an accessible place to go
Prepare a communication assistance card
Include pets and service animals
Share the plan with the emergency support team
Practice and update the plan regularly

Remember

A caregiver emergency plan must work for the specific person you support.

Consider their medications, medical equipment, mobility, communication, supervision, transportation, and comfort needs. Share the plan with other people so the person’s safety does not depend on one caregiver being available.

This guide provides general education and does not replace individualized care from a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.