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MEANS BEING PREPARED FOR ANY EVENT
Disaster Resilience
NEW STORY!
1. Sign up for emergency alerts: Visit CalAlerts.org to sign up for alerts in your area. Consider signing up for alerts in an older loved one’s area too.
in California, from the beautiful national parks to a diverse population and cultures, from a wide variety of outdoor activities to economic opportunities, from farm-to-fork culinary innovation to educational options. There are also drawbacks to living in California, including natural disasters.
California is prone to wildfires, floods, extreme heat, extreme cold, earthquakes, landslides, and more. The risks may differ depending on where you live, and you can learn what emergencies your area is prone to by visiting MyHazards, but there are risks in every California community. Older adults may face unique challenges in preparing for weather and climate events. By considering proactive planning, you empower yourself and those you love to navigate these challenges with resilience and preparedness.
2. Make a disaster-ready plan: Create a list of contact information you may need; decide where to meet if you’re separated from loved ones; practice your plan.
3. Pack a go bag: To grab when you need to leave quickly, including important documents and items for each family member, keys, wallet, identification, phone and charger, and medication.
4. Pack a stay box: Include basic supplies for when you can’t leave home, such as food that won’t spoil, water, a flashlight, trash bags, and medication – enough for three days.
5. Help friends and neighbors: Exchange contact information with your neighbors and plan how you might work together in an emergency.
• 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 PERSONAL SANITATION
• PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS
• MANUAL CAN OPENER
• CELL PHONE CHARGER
• BACKUP BATTERY
What should older adults put in a
go bag?
Trusted connections with family, friends, caregivers, and healthcare providers are crucial to ensure older adults’ and adults with disabilities’ needs are met during emergencies. Important considerations include:
There are many benefits of living
5 Readiness Actions
1. Sign up for emergency alerts: Visit CalAlerts.org to sign up for alerts in your area. Consider signing up for alerts in an older loved one’s area too.
2. Make a disaster-ready plan: Create a list of contact information you may need; decide where to meet if you’re separated from loved ones; practice your plan.
3. Pack a go bag: To grab when you need to leave quickly, including important documents and items for each family member, keys, wallet, identification, phone and charger, and medication.
4. Pack a stay box: Include basic supplies for when you can’t leave home, such as food that won’t spoil, water, a flashlight, trash bags, and medication – enough for three days.
5. Help friends and neighbors: Exchange contact information with your neighbors and plan how you might work together in an emergency.
Trusted connections with family, friends, caregivers, and healthcare providers are crucial to ensure older adults’ needs are met during emergencies. Key steps include:
• Emergency Preparedness Guide
• MyHazards
• CalAlerts
• Listos California
• Ready.gov
• Medicare: Care in an Emergency
Quick Links
Have you discussed a disaster plan with your loved ones?
California has a multitude of resources available to older adults. The California Department of Aging has released an Emergency Preparedness Guide to help older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people with access and functional needs prepare for emergencies while considering their individual needs. California’s network of 33 Area Agencies on Aging, along with community partners and emergency services managers, are developing and revising disaster preparation and response plans to help communities prepare to serve all Californians in the event of a disaster.
Individuals can prepare themselves, their families, and their homes to be ready if disaster strikes. Listos California, a program anchored in the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, endorses a five-point approach to readiness and offers resources in multiple languages.
5 Readiness Actions
Identifying at least four support individuals
Creating a go bag
Planning for backup power for medical devices
Planning for accessible transportation and evacuation routes
Planning for your pets
Practicing evacuation plans with reliable allies or caregivers
Securing access to food, if you regularly visit congregate meal sites or have meals delivered
Talking about continuity of care if you receive in-home care
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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 PERSONAL SANITATION
PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS
MANUAL CAN OPENER
CELL PHONE CHARGER
BACKUP BATTERY
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Other items for a go bag might include hand sanitizer, clothing, assistive devices labeled with your name and phone number, pet food, and a blanket. Keep emergency kits in an easily accessible location, close to your main exit route, in case you need to leave quickly.
Listos California also offers a Disaster Recovery Resources Guide in English and Spanish that includes information about housing assistance, replacing vital documents, help replacing prescriptions, accessing food, and more. You can also find a variety of safety and disaster preparedness flyers on topics from safety in severe storms to a Disaster Ready Card in 14 languages.
Preparing for emergencies is easier than you think. From low- and no-cost preparedness actions to ready-made kits, there are options and resources available to help you and your loved ones stay safe.
Quick
Links
Emergency Preparedness Guide
MyHazards
CalAlerts
Listos California
Ready.gov
Medicare: Care in an Emergency
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