September is National Preparedness Month, making it a perfect time to plan and prepare for what you and your loved ones will do in an emergency. California faces various risks, including wildfires, floods, extreme heat, earthquakes, and landslides. These risks vary depending on where you live, but every community in California is vulnerable. You can learn more about the risks in your area by visiting MyHazards.caloes.ca.gov, a resource from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. By planning ahead, you empower yourself and your loved ones to navigate these challenges with resilience and preparedness.
Do you and your loved ones have an emergency plan?
California offers a wealth of resources to help older adults prepare for disasters. The California Department of Aging recently released an Emergency Preparedness Guide, available for viewing or download at Aging.ca.gov. This guide helps older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people with access and functional needs prepare for emergencies while considering their unique circumstances. California’s network of 33 Area Agencies on Aging, along with community partners and emergency services managers, is actively developing and revising disaster preparation and response plans to help all Californians be ready in the event of a disaster.
Individuals can take steps to prepare themselves, their families, and their homes. Anchored in the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, ListosCalifornia.org promotes a five-point approach to disaster readiness:
Five Readiness Actions
- Sign up for emergency alerts: Visit CalAlerts.org to register for emergency alerts in your area. You can also sign up for alerts for older loved ones.
- Make a disaster plan: Create a list of important contacts, decide on a meeting place if separated, and practice your plan.
- Pack a go-bag: Include essential items for each family member, such as important documents, keys, wallet, ID, phone, charger, and medication.
- Prepare a stay box: Pack supplies like non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, trash bags, and enough medication for at least three days.
- Help friends and neighbors: Exchange contact information and plan how to assist each other in an emergency.
Building trusted connections with family, friends, caregivers, and healthcare providers is critical to ensuring the needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities are met during emergencies. Important considerations include:
- Identifying at least four support individuals
- Planning for accessible transportation and evacuation routes
- Preparing a go-bag
- Planning for backup power for medical devices
- Creating a plan for your pets (visit Ready.gov/Pets)
- Practicing evacuation plans with reliable support individuals, neighbors, or caregivers
- Securing access to food if you rely on congregate meal sites or meal delivery services
- Discussing continuity of care if you receive in-home care
- Labeling assistive medical devices and securing backups if possible
What Should Older Adults Put in a Go-Bag?
- Water
- Non-perishable food
- Medication (especially prescriptions)
- List of prescriptions
- Eyeglasses
- Copies of important documents
- List of important phone numbers
- Cash
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for sanitation
- Personal hygiene items
- Manual can opener
- Cell phone charger
- Backup battery
Additional items for a go-bag might include hand sanitizer, clothing, a blanket, and pet food. Keep emergency kits in an easily accessible location near your main exit route in case you need to leave quickly.
Listos California also offers a Disaster Recovery Resources Guide in English and Spanish, which includes information on housing assistance, replacing vital documents, help replacing prescriptions, accessing food, and more. A variety of safety and disaster preparedness flyers are available, covering topics such as severe storm safety and a Disaster Ready Card in 14 languages.
Preparing for emergencies is easier than you think. From low- or no-cost preparedness actions to ready-made kits, there are numerous resources available to help you and your loved ones stay safe.
Visit aging.ca.gov for more information.
