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Emergency preparedness for older people and carers

Age alone does not define vulnerability. Plans should reflect the individual’s health, independence, support network, living situation and preferences while recognising that services and carers may be disrupted.

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From AidWorkers Humanitarian experience applied at homeEvidence base 4 named sourcesReviewed 25 July 2026

Why this matters

Review medicine, mobility, hearing, vision, cognition, nutrition, temperature and social contact. Identify what can safely be done independently, what needs support and who can provide backup if the usual carer is unavailable.

For people living with dementia or confusion, familiar routines and clear identification can reduce distress. Any identification method must respect privacy and follow local safeguarding guidance.

Before disruption

Prepare now

  • Create an up-to-date care summary, medicine list, contacts and preferred communication method.
  • Plan spare consumables, charging, safe transfers and transport with health professionals.
  • Give at least two trusted people the information and access they genuinely need.
  • Arrange regular check-ins during heat, cold, outages and severe weather.
  • Prepare familiar food, hydration support, glasses, hearing supplies, mobility aids and comfort items.

When it is happening

Protect the next decision

  1. Check health, temperature, hydration, medicine, orientation and immediate care needs.
  2. Explain changes slowly and repeat the next step without arguing about confusion.
  3. Keep care records and note any missed treatment, falls, symptoms or behaviour change.
  4. Seek professional advice when care cannot be delivered safely or health deteriorates.

Plan for real people

Access, care and inclusion

  • Support autonomy and consent rather than making decisions solely on the basis of age.
  • Plan for carers’ own health, dependants, travel and need for sleep.
  • Consider people living alone, in residential settings or with distant family.
  • Make shelter and evacuation choices around toilets, quiet, mobility, medicine storage and continuity of care.

Mental readiness

Protect morale and clear thinking

  • Use familiar music, photographs, drinks, meals and daily rituals to support orientation.
  • Maintain meaningful roles rather than treating the person only as a recipient of care.
  • Arrange respite and honest limits for carers before exhaustion becomes unsafe.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

  • Assuming confusion is normal when it may signal dehydration, infection, medicine problems or another emergency.
  • Moving a person without essential medicine, equipment, records or a safe destination.
  • Leaving all knowledge and responsibility with one exhausted carer.

Evidence and review

Sources behind this guide

Prepare Now uses authoritative government, humanitarian and public-health material as a starting point. Source advice can be specific to a country, hazard or date, so check the current version for your location.

Continue preparing

First aid & medicinePrepare skills, supplies, prescriptions, health information and backup plans for interrupted care.Disability & accessBuild around each person’s access, communication, equipment, medication and support preferences.Mental readiness & moraleBuild calm decision habits, realistic routines, comfort rituals and routes to support before crisis.

Editorial status: first staging edition. Safety-critical instructions will receive specialist and jurisdiction review before public launch.