Austin can experience a range of severe weather events, from tornadoes and flash floods to extreme heat, winter storms, and even strong winds from distant hurricanes. For older adults, preparing for these situations is especially important. Seniors may face mobility challenges, medical needs, or limited access to resources, making proactive planning essential. At Assisting Hands West Austin, we’re committed to supporting families and caregivers in developing emergency preparedness plans tailored to the needs of aging adults.

In this guide, we explore the essentials of emergency preparedness for seniors, including what to have in your emergency plan, how to prepare your pets, and important resources. This information can help you stay safe and ready regardless of the emergency.  

Why Emergency Planning Is Crucial for Older Adults

Natural disasters can happen with little warning. Seniors may find evacuation, sheltering in place, or accessing medical care challenging without a solid plan. Having a personalized, well-communicated emergency preparedness plan increases safety and peace of mind.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) encourages all providers and families to regularly review and update emergency plans to ensure continued care and safety.

What To Include in Your Emergency Preparedness Plan

Your emergency preparedness plan should include:

Power Backup Solutions

• Refrigerated medicine or powered medical devices like oxygen machines, CPAPs, or electric wheelchairs, will require battery backups, portable power banks, or access to a generator.
• Keep flashlights and extra batteries on hand for light sources. Avoid candles due to fire risks.

Food and Water Supply

• Store a minimum three-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare foods. Choose items tailored to dietary restrictions (low sodium, diabetic-friendly, etc.).
• Stock at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days.

Medical and Pharmaceutical Supplies

• Keep a seven-day supply of prescription medications and over-the-counter essentials like pain relievers, antacids, and allergy medication. 
• Store copies of prescriptions and insurance cards in a waterproof container.
• Include a basic first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptics, gloves, tweezers, etc.

Communication Plan

• Have a printed list of emergency contacts, including family members, doctors, pharmacies, and your Assisting Hands care team. 
• Discuss and rehearse emergency communication plans with family and caregivers.
• Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio for updates when cell service is down. You can also download the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) app to get weather alerts from the National Weather Service, locate emergency shelters in your area, and more.

Caregiver and Staffing Planning

• If you or your loved one receives in-home care, talk to your provider about contingency plans during disasters. 
• Arrange for backup caregivers and establish how they will reach the senior’s location if roads are closed.

Sheltering in Place vs. Evacuation

• Determine ahead of time whether it’s safer to stay home or evacuate.
• Identify local shelters, especially those that are senior-friendly or pet-friendly.
• Prepare a “go bag” with essentials like clothes, toiletries, copies of medical records, medications, water, snacks, and a flashlight.

How To Register for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)

STEAR is a free, voluntary service that provides local emergency planners and responders with information to better assist people in disasters. Note that registering does not guarantee emergency services, but it ensures your needs are known in advance.

You should register with STEAR before a disaster occurs if you or a loved one:

• Has a disability
• Needs transportation assistance
• Requires medical support or communication assistance

To register with STEAR, call 2-1-1 (Texas Information and Referral Network) and follow the prompts, or head to stear.texas.gov. 

Emergency Preparedness for Seniors With Pets

As part of your family, your fur babies should be included in your emergency plan as well. Here are some things to prepare to ensure your pets are protected:

• Have a pet “go bag” with food, water, bowls, leashes, collars with ID tags, vaccination records, any medications, and comfort items (e.g., a favorite toy or blanket).
• Identify pet-friendly shelters or hotels that accept pets, or make arrangements with friends, family, or pet-friendly boarding facilities.
• Keep a pet carrier ready and practice getting the pet inside so they’re used to it.

For more tips on sheltering or evacuating with pets, check out ready.gov for pets, which provides information on preparing your pets for disasters. Also, the Austin Animal Center provides shelter to animals as well as animal protection and pet resource services.

Important Emergency Preparedness for Seniors Resources

The following resources can help you with your emergency planning:

• 2-1-1 Texas: Help line for disaster info, shelter locations, food, medical resources, and STEAR registration.
• Ready: National preparedness resource with printable checklists. See ready.gov/older-adults for more information on emergency preparedness for seniors and ready.gov/pets for information on emergency planning with pets.
• Texas Ready: State emergency preparedness resource with videos and printable checklists. Head to https://texasready.gov/. 
• American Red Cross: Resource for emergency preparedness for seniors, shelter locator, and safety tips.
• FEMA: Government agency that helps people before, during, and after disasters. Visit fema.gov to learn more.
• Austin Animal Center: City of Austin municipal shelter that provides public services for lost and homeless animals, as well as resources to pet owners. Visit https://www.austintexas.gov/austin-animal-center. 
• National Weather Service: Resource that provides information on weather, forecasts, warnings, and more. Visit weather.gov/safety for specific weather hazard information.  
• Assisting Hands West Austin: Contact us for help reviewing or creating your emergency plan.

How Assisting Hands West Austin Can Help

Contact us today if you or a loved one needs help creating an emergency preparedness plan for seniors. Our trained caregivers can assist with stocking supplies, making checklists, and arranging backup care. Preparing now is the best way to ensure you are ready for any natural disaster. 

Call us at (512) 999-7379 or use the chat box on the right to get started on your personalized emergency plan.