Older people

Everyone has different needs and abilities but there are steps you can take to prepare for all kinds of emergencies. In addition to your personal emergency plan, you should:

• Create a support network of people (more information below)  who will help you prepare for and cope with an emergency.
  
  
• Consider how an emergency might affect your individual needs
  
  
• Create a medical information list with details of your illnesses/conditions, doctors and medications  (more information below).

Support network

If you think that you might need help during an emergency, talk to people you trust, such as family and friends, who can be part of your personal support network. These people should know what your abilities and needs are and be able to help at short notice. It's best to include a minimum of three people, including someone who can check on you immediately if an emergency occurs.

Write down and share each aspect of your personal emergency plan with everyone in your support network.

Medical information list

Your medical information list should include:

• Medical conditions you have
  
  
• Emergency contact details for your doctors and other medical providers
  
  
• The names of medications you take, their dosages and other instructions
  
  
• When you take your medications
  
  
• The name and phone number of the doctor who prescribed them
  
  
• The type of health insurance you have and the provider
  
  
• Any adaptive equipment you use
  
  
• Any allergies you have
  
  
• Your blood type
  
  
• Any physical limitations you have
  
  
• Any communication/cognitive difficulties you have