Emergencies can strike anytime, and the impact can be particularly challenging as we age, due to unique health and mobility issues. In the United States, 119 natural disasters occurred in 2022, emphasizing the critical need for emergency preparedness. Knowing the risks in your specific area is essential no matter what age you are.
Being prepared isn't just about having supplies, it is about understanding your unique needs and potential challenges, including:
- Transportation: If you rely on others for transportation, access to a vehicle that can take you and any necessary equipment (such as a wheelchair, oxygen machine, or other assistive device) out of harm's way is essential.
- Mobility Issues: Reduced mobility can make evacuating quickly or moving to a safer location difficult.
- Medication Management: If you rely on medications, they may be hard to access during an emergency.
- Cognitive Challenges: Cognitive impairment, like dementia, can affect judgement and decision-making in high-stress situations.
Disasters that can directly affect your daily life include tornadoes, earthquakes, chemical emergencies, drought, fires, floods, heat waves, power outages, thunderstorms, nuclear explosions and winter storms. Emergency preparedness also covers national health emergencies, where people may need to shelter in place or physically distance themselves from others. Thankfully there are things you can do to be prepared, respond safely and help speed your recovery.
