For years, my blog has been dedicated to helping people of all ages and walks of life prepare for the unexpected. We set our priorities in that regard, but sometimes, we overlook what life is like for others as they age. I’m updating some older posts because the information must be provided often, so people can learn what’s needed to be prepared.
I updated this post again because it’s one of my most popular articles. Here’s the deal: We recently had a death in the family, and it reminded me to encourage my readers to make sure their affairs are in order. That means we need to make sure we have all the estate-related documents available for review, and I have seen expensive boxes with files you can purchase to organize your important documents.
Well, why pay for one when my special document binder is FREE? If you print the documents on cardstock and use the items I recommend with your Emergency Binder, you’ll use the same approach people charge big bucks for. Your elderly friends or family members may hesitate to share their information. Okay, I understand.
They need to understand that we need to know where to find their essential documents if they are gone. They may die or become incapacitated. Keep in mind I am not a lawyer but a will or a trust is critical when family is involved.
Assisted Living or Not
We may eventually be living on our own or at a stage where we need to consider assisted living quarters. As I’ve thought about it this week, I know of at least 15 items older people want for survival.
Please remember your family members or friends living alone, or possibly in a care center, when considering things needed for survival.
I remember getting an email from a reader a few years ago asking me what her mom should have stored in her apartment at her assisted living facility. We may think our mom, dad, aunt, uncle, or dear friend will be okay after a disaster if they live alone or at a care center. But if we seriously consider their circumstances, we know better.
The employees in a long-term care center can only help so many older adults after a disaster. There will probably be some panic; we expect that, especially with older patients. Let’s get started to help those we love to be prepared BEFORE they need to be. I want you to think about this situation if you haven’t already. What we discuss could be your real-life situation sometime in the future.
15 Items Older People Want For Survival
Let’s say we have a minor disaster. Older people sometimes are unsure of what’s going on around them. Seniors may be scared, so let’s hope they can call you if the power is out, the wind is howling, the snow is heavy, or other issues raise concerns. It doesn’t have to be hurricanes or earthquakes for them to get nervous or need emotional and physical support.
Hopefully, they remembered to keep their cell phones charged, if they have one.
If they live alone, I hope they have neighbors they can contact for help. If a caring family lives nearby, that’s awesome, if the roads still work. We never know what kind of disaster or unforeseen emergency may occur.
Be Careful How You Gift Them
Of course, we don’t want to alarm our older family members, but if something serious does happen, we would like them to have a few items in their home or care facility to help get them through.
Remember, it’s all about peace of mind for them. As I look back, I know my mom was prepared with food and water in her home, even close to the time she passed away.
She taught me well from a very young age to be prepared for whatever may happen. I highly recommend making one of these survival bed pouches for all family members. You can sew them by hand or with a sewing machine.
- King Size Pillowcase
2. Fold and Sew
3. Tuck the unsewn section between your mattress and the box spring.
15 Items for Older People
You don’t need to get all the items on the list today. I recommend getting a few things, starting with water and food.
I remember going to visit some older ladies at a care center. The rooms were nice, unlike the olden days when they were not so great and often smelled bad. I would take candy and caramel corn to one particular lady. She loved all things sweet—so do I! I would now take a case of water to her if she were still alive.
These items would make excellent gifts for your family the next time you visit them. First, their budgets are usually limited, and they may be too proud to ask for things like this.
1. Water
As we all know, water is essential for survival and is probably the most critical item. Please make sure any containers of water have lids that can be easily opened by the elderly. Man, some of those bottles are so hard to open.
I get thirsty just thinking about the water getting shut off. Yikes. The BEST place to buy the BLUE CANS I suggest for all of us is on this website: Brownells. UPDATE: They no longer sell them. I bet they are harder to get now, because they are popular.
These cans have the best-tasting water and have been around for 50 years. They come in a boxed case and fit nicely under a bed, in a closet, or on a shelf. Amazon also sells Blue Cans. My daughter saw them at Walmart, so check if they are available. They will be cheaper than on Amazon.
If the water is turned off because of tainted water or a disaster strikes the pumping station or the main water line, we all still need water. For me, the minimum is four gallons per person per day, when you consider drinking for proper hydration, personal hygiene, and limited laundry efforts like underwear.
I get thirsty just thinking about the water getting shut off. Yikes.
Of course, planning water storage is easier when the elderly live at home. You can buy water storage containers of various sizes that may work well. It’s at the care center that the Blue Cans mentioned above would prove to be a Godsend.
2. Food
Food is another of the most critical items, even if they live in a care center, because if the roads are damaged or the grocery stores are empty or closed, those care centers cannot feed the residents after a few days. If you have a loved one living alone, they may not even consider having a few shelf-stable non-perishable items in the pantry.
They may not even have a pantry. If you can take them at least seven days’ worth of food that you know they’ll eat, consider doing it today, not tomorrow. Trust me, you’ll feel so much better knowing they have a few items to eat.
If you can afford 30 days’ worth of food, that’s even better. Prepackaged items are the best approach. Please ensure the food is what they like to eat and can be eaten without cooking. Have things that provide a high-quality nutritional status level so they can stay as healthy as possible.
Grab some snack packages like tuna and crackers, pretzels and cheese, or other products that are easy to open and serve. Walk down the supermarket aisles and grab a few items that are not specially prepared. Throw in a can opener, too. I’m just giving you the heads-up here.
Sufficient food and water help them maintain cognitive function, and you certainly don’t want them to experience mental decline.
3. Flashlights, Solar or Battery
Without proper light, dark surroundings become unsafe for the elderly and possibly scary. Just remember to give them extra batteries to store in a safe place. Place the bed pouch above in their bedroom (between the mattress and box springs) and put the flashlight in it. They will love it; the security of having light at their fingertips is calming and reassuring. OLight Flashlight
You may want to consider some solar flashlights and lanterns. I keep several of these charged by placing them on a windowsill facing the sun during the day. I can rely on those solar units if/when I need light when the power is out. Don’t forget hearing aid batteries.
4. Cash and Coins
There is something about having hard cash and coins in your possession. If the power is out for an extended period, ATMs and bank lobbies may not be available. If the person you care about is in a care center, check to see if they have a safe available for use by their tenants.
5. Sanitation Items
Even though there may be an emergency outside that most people are concerned about, people still need to be concerned about proper sanitation inside the home or care facility. Consider the best items for your loved ones to make them feel clean and safe. I’ve listed a few below:
Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes and individually packaged toilet paper (split a case for several families) to store: Georgia-Pacific Envision. You can pick up hand sanitizer at most stores.
Clean hands will cut down on infections in large groups. If the baby wipes dry out, no worries, add water to them. They make a great mini-bath for our private areas when needed—denture repair kits.
6. Whistle
In times of emergency, we all may need to get the attention of others, and this is particularly true of the elderly. If at home alone, having a whistle to attract those looking for survivors or to let authorities know someone is at home is essential. There may be a time when the neighborhood is being canvassed to alert the public that it’s time to evacuate, and having the whistle certainly gives the elderly another level of comfort
Even in a care center, the tenants may need someone’s attention. This could apply to emergencies outside, such as if they fall in the bathroom or can’t get the strength to get out of bed. It is a pretty cheap safety tool!
7. First aid kit
Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes. Some could be a major disaster with all the activities expected. Others could be a personal emergency where a knife slips and a finger or hand is injured. A simple band-aid is critical if that is all they need. Every home and care center room should have a First Aid Kit. It doesn’t have to be a large, fancy unit. It just needs those most commonly useful products, just in case.
If they take prescription medicine daily, ensure they have sufficient to last a week or two without access to a pharmacy. If they don’t have one already, get one of those handy pill boxes where each day’s medicines can be stored so the proper amount is taken as prescribed.
8. Cell Phone Charger
If they have a cell phone, this is the one I have: Portable Cell Phone Charger Boy. We all tend to rely on our cell phones for communication and to stay informed on many levels. Cell phones would not work if the cell towers had lost power. At least if they are functional, you can keep your cell phone working with the necessary charge.
One thing to consider is that if the person still has a car, they can use their charger in a pinch.
People should consider having other forms of communication, like walkie-talkies. A crank radio is also handy, so you can stay informed about events outside the home or care center and include helpful weather reports.
9. CPAP Charger
This is critical for people who use CPAPs and need oxygen to breathe during the day and/or night. Panic will set in big time if they can’t breathe when the power is shut off for any amount of time. If they have asthma, they need power for a nebulizer. Goal Zero Solar Charger I tested my Goal Zero Solar unit with my son-in-law. It was great to hear in the morning that it had run all night.
10. Extra Pair of Glasses/Prescriptions
They must store an extra pair of prescription glasses if one pair breaks. Make sure they have at least 30 days, if not 90 days, of their necessary prescriptions filled, if possible. Yes, I realize Medicare and Supplemental Insurance only cover so much. You may have to pay cash for one extra month of meds if ordering them is possible on their refill schedule.
11. Make a list of Emergency Contact Information
In an emergency, people sometimes get confused and need a sheet of paper with names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of family, friends, doctors, and insurance companies, to name a few. I like to use card stock with my printable: Food Storage Moms Emergency Contact Info. Ensure they know where it is filed so they can find it quickly. You might even want to post it on their fridge.
12. Make Lists or Copies for Them
Please make a list of their prescriptions, the dose, etc. Make copies of their Medicare cards and insurance cards. Ensure they have copies of their important documents, like birth certificates, etc., in a binder with printables. Here is my FREE Printable: Binder Contents.
I prefer printing it on cardstock, and it’s actually in color if you want to print with a color printer.
In case you missed this post on my FREE Binder content:
- Zippered Binder
- Colored Divider Tabs
- Zippered Binder Pockets
- Horizontal Photo Pages
- Binder Pockets
- Sheet Protectors
13. Buddy System
Adding this “item” to our list may seem strange, but it can make all the difference in an emergency scenario. If they haven’t already established a buddy system, officially starting one is a good idea.
Of course, care centers would check on the residents; I worry about the people living alone. Before my mother died, she and her best friend had set up a calling system every morning to check on each other.
When my mom didn’t answer the phone for several hours one day, her friend contacted our sister Susan, who lived in the same city. Susan immediately went over to check on my mom. I lived 450 miles away, and I called her every Wednesday.
She died on a Thursday, and we wouldn’t have known that she had died without her best friend calling daily. This is why it’s critical that the elderly living alone have a buddy to check in with daily. Please check on at least one older person in your area as part of your everyday activities. Having a Walker or Wheelchair would help the elderly be more mobile.
14. Fire Extinguisher
They need a good fire extinguisher and should be shown how to use it when needed: Kidde Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher 1A10BC, 1 Pack.
Bonus Items: Add incontinence items, pads, disposable undies—sad but most older people must use them—creams to care for rashes, and any other over-the-counter items you’ve found essential to have ready access to.
PORTABLE TOILET: Elderly Toilet. If the water is turned off for any reason, having access to a unit that lets you relieve yourself could be a lifesaver. You may want to get one for you and your family, too.
15. Shower Handle Grab Bars
Safety in the home is critical. We just purchased this one for our shower. Shower Handle Grab Bars. Home safety is often something we all take for granted. The next time you visit an elderly friend or family member, check out their bathroom and ensure it has the safety features you’d want in your home.
Carla mentioned reading glasses, an emergency denture repair kit, a denture reline kit, heavy gloves, and socks.
Beth suggested that people with pulmonary issues may not be able to blow a whistle enough to summon help. An air horn, which can be used with just a press of a button, is usually found in department stores’ sporting goods or boating sections.
Final Word
Give them a bag with wheels (it’s easier for older people) filled with extra clothing and space to fill items they need to grab and go with if required. It’s better to be prepared before they need to be.
I would also discuss the geographical areas and possible situations that could occur where they live. We don’t want to stress them out, but they need to know why we want them to store a few items for an emergency.
If they watch television, they can see what is happening worldwide as long as the power stays on. They will be grateful and sleep better knowing they are prepared for the unexpected. May God bless you for helping a neighbor or loved one gather these 15 items older people want for survival. With these items needed for survival, you and the elderly you help will feel confident that preparations are in place, just in case. May God bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Depositphotos_2300332_m-2015Elderly Couple, Elderly Couple Depositphotos_369918914_S
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