Shawn S. is a homeowner from Mobile, Alabama.
In November, he was doing electrical work around his property with his electrician.
His electrician noticed dark smoke pouring from a neighbor’s roof.
Inside that house was a 92-year-old woman who lived alone.
Shawn didn’t wait for firefighters to arrive.
He ran to the burning home and kicked in the front door.
The house was filled with thick smoke and flames, and he found the elderly woman collapsed and unresponsive right behind the door.
Shawn dragged her outside to safety just before firefighters arrived.
The woman was rushed to a local hospital.
Shawn suffered a bad cough from smoke inhalation but recovered quickly.
Now, the elderly woman survived because her neighbor was paying attention and acted immediately.
Sadly, Shawn learned that the woman had no emergency alert system, no neighbors checking on her regularly, and no backup plan if something went wrong.
This highlights why planning for elderly family members matters so much.
Their safety depends on having systems in place before disaster strikes.
So, here’s what you need to know about keeping elderly loved ones safe during emergencies.
Benefits of elderly emergency planning:
Peace of Mind: Knowing your elderly parents or grandparents have emergency systems in place lets you sleep better at night.
Faster Emergency Response: Medical alert systems and local support networks mean help arrives in minutes, not hours.
Drawbacks to elderly emergency planning:
Distance Challenges: Building a support network takes time and effort upfront.
Ongoing Costs: Medical alert systems, home modifications, and caregiver services add up.
These costs continue as long as your loved one lives independently.
Here are your top priorities for protecting elderly loved ones:
Priority 1: Medical Alert System
Get them a wearable alert device they can press to summon help instantly.
Companies like Life Alert, Medical Guardian, and Bay Alarm Medical offer reliable options.
Make sure it works throughout their entire home, including the bathroom where many falls happen.
Priority 2: Local Support Network
Introduce yourself to their neighbors face-to-face.
Exchange phone numbers and ask them to check in during emergencies.
Consider hiring a local caregiver or home health aide for regular visits, even just once or twice a week.
Priority 3: Medication and Medical Info
Work with their doctor to maintain at least a 30-day supply of all prescriptions.
Keep a written list of all medications, dosages, and pharmacy contacts in an easy-to-find spot.
Make sure neighbors or emergency contacts know where this information is located.
Elderly Americans face the biggest challenges during disasters.
During Hurricane Ian in 2022, most fatalities in Florida were people over 60.
Many struggled because they couldn’t evacuate on their own, lost power for medical equipment, or had no one checking on them.
So, make sure your loved ones have protection in place.
