Disaster Preparedness Planning for Older Adults

Disasters can be particularly disruptive to the daily living of older adults and their caregivers. Chronic conditions that exist prior to an emergency can be exacerbated, equipment damaged or lost, and services or treatments interrupted, causing additional harm or stress. This webpage will introduce and connect you to key resources on disaster preparedness for older adults developed by the Administration for Community Living, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other partners. 

Administration for Communi ty Living – Administration on Aging: Emergency Preparedness and Response

This website is intended to provide planning and response information, checklists, and strategies that can assist individuals, families, caregivers, the Aging Services Network, and other professionals to better prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies and disasters. The Disaster Preparedness Guide for Caregivers (PDF) is a guide from FEMA that provides information on three essential steps that can help caregivers feel more prepared when disaster strikes: assessing needs, engaging a support network, and creating a plan. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Psychosocial Interventions for Older Adults in Disasters

This publication gives mental health professionals, emergency response workers, and caregivers the tools to provide disaster mental health and recovery support to older adults. SAMHSA has also compiled an Older Adults Resource Collection, has a number of products for serving older adults with mental and substance use disorders that can be useful to clinicians, other service providers, older adults, and caregivers.. 

American Red Cross: Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors 

Published in 2009 by a group of older adults who experienced a two-week power outage when a massive ice storm hit the Greater Rochester, New York region, the steps presented in this booklet can help you prepare for emergencies and eliminate hardships you might face. 

Flu.gov: Flu and People 65 Years and Older

This site is a one-stop shop for information about influenza (flu) prevention, vaccination, symptoms, treatment, and preparedness; this page describes why being older than 65 can put you at higher risk of getting the flu.