As we enter a season when extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and power outages become more common, it’s essential to ensure our older loved ones are well-prepared. Seniors are particularly vulnerable during natural disasters due to mobility challenges, medical needs, or limited access to resources. At Assisting Hands West Houston, we’re committed to supporting families and caregivers as they develop effective emergency preparedness plans tailored to the needs of aging adults.

In this guide, we’ll walk through key steps to emergency preparedness for seniors, from stocking essential supplies to registering with emergency assistance programs. Whether you are a family caregiver, a home health provider, or a senior preparing independently, this information can help you stay safe and informed.

Why Emergency Planning Is Critical for Seniors

Emergencies can strike without warning. For seniors, the challenges of evacuation, sheltering in place, or accessing medications and medical equipment can become overwhelming if a plan isn’t in place. Having a personalized, well-communicated emergency preparedness plan gives older adults a better chance of staying safe and reduces the anxiety that comes with uncertainty.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) encourages all providers and families to regularly review and update emergency plans. This helps ensure continued care and safety for older adults when disaster strikes.

What To Include in a Senior Emergency Preparedness Plan

A comprehensive emergency plan should address the following:

1. Power Backup Solutions

• If you or your loved one requires refrigerated medicine or uses powered medical devices like oxygen machines, CPAPs, or electric wheelchairs, ensure you have battery backups, portable power banks, or access to a generator.
• For light sources, keep flashlights and extra batteries on hand. Avoid candles due to fire risks.

2. 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.

3. 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, and emergency contact information.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

Registering for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)

For seniors who may need extra help during emergencies or evacuations, it’s essential to register with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) before a disaster occurs.

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.

Who Should Register?

You should register with STEAR if you or a loved one is one of the following: 

• Individuals with disabilities
• Seniors who need transportation assistance
• Those who require medical support or communication assistance

How To Register:

You can register with STEAR in one of the following ways:

• Call 2-1-1 (Texas Information and Referral Network) and follow the prompts to register.
• Register online at stear.texas.gov

Emergency Preparedness for Seniors with Pets

Pets are family, too — and they should be included in all emergency plans. Here’s how to ensure both the senior and their furry companions are protected:

• Pet Go Bag: Include food, water, bowls, leashes, collars with ID tags, vaccination records, any medications, and comfort items like a favorite toy or blanket.
• Shelter Planning: Identify shelters or hotels that accept pets, or make arrangements with friends, family, or pet-friendly boarding facilities.
• Transportation: Have 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 the Houston SPCA — their disaster response team is always ready to respond to animal-related emergencies and natural disasters. Also, ready.gov for pets provides information on preparing your pets for disasters. 

Important Resources for Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

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.
• Houston SPCA: Houston nonprofit that provides information on preparing for disasters with pets. Check out the Houston SPCA disaster response page to learn more.
• 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 Houston: Contact us for help reviewing or creating your emergency plan.

How Assisting Hands West Houston Can Help

If you or a loved one needs help creating an emergency preparedness plan, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our trained caregivers can assist with everything from stocking supplies to creating checklists and coordinating backup care. We are here to ensure our seniors remain safe, comfortable, and supported — no matter the weather.

Preparing now is the best way to protect those we care for and reduce risks during emergencies. Let’s plan ahead together. 

Contact Assisting Hands West Houston today to learn more or get help with your emergency preparedness plan by calling us at (281) 369-5858 or messaging us via the chat box on the right.