Caring for the elderly in an emergency

Prepping for Seniors

------------------------------------------------- Revised 02/01/2021
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Prepping for Seniors
Senior prepper's guide to preparedness

Preparedness is a way of life ~ no matter your age!
Preparedness is even more important as someone ages because
with age health concerns may rise and physical stamina may
decline. If you're reading this article, chances are you fall in one
of two categories of preparedness:

Prepping for yourself as a senior. If you're a senior you are
likely a respected part of your community and can lead
others into prepping, though you will likely have much
resistance as many young people do not understand the
value of prepping. They don't fully understand the ways of
our ancestors. It's best to lead by example. You can help
prepare now, so you are not a burden to your family or
caregivers and you can help educate. Lead with your family
through a quiet example. Talk about the importance of
preparing for a rainy day and share how you did it.

Prepping for a senior you love. Some prepper families may
need to plan care for elderly family members. If you fall into
this category, there's much you can do well in advance of an
emergency to make your favorite senior feel secure. Care of
the elderly in an emergency requires stockpiling special
supplies and equipment, as well as preparing for mobility in
crisis. Through it all a senior asks only for dignity, which you
can also provide.

No matter your age you should prepare for an emergency and here
are some special considerations when preparing for seniors...

Prepping for Seniors
How are you going to care for the seniors you love in an
emergency? How might you care and plan for yourself as you age?

Below is a senior prepper's guide to preparedness that includes a
prepper's emergency checklist for seniors and their caregivers...

#1: Stockpile for various medical conditions.
Not every senior prepper is fragile but as we age there are
medical considerations that can get in the way of prepping, so
you may as well plan for them.

Health is a major issue in prepping for seniors and depending on
individual needs, you'll need to prepare for any of the following:

Arthritis: Arthritis is a common factor in aging. If you plan to
care for the elderly in a long-term emergency, you may like
to stock up on solutions for arthritic pain. Eucalyptus,
wintergreen, and cedarwood oil, for example, can naturally
reduce inflammation and ease arthritis symptoms! Read the
ten natural prepper remedies for arthritis because this is a
basic way a senior can prepare. Pain can impact your ability
to survive. A surprise use of cannabis oil is that it can help
arthritis pain.

Colds and flu. While many seniors want to get a flu shot,
vaccines aren't for everyone. Preppers of all ages should look
to the natural immunity boosters. Take care to stock cold
and flu medicines and have thieves oil handy for hospital
visits to help ward off infections.

Dehydration. Preventing dehydration is a concern for any
prepper, but more so for seniors. Dehydration can cause
mobility issues, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness and
headaches as well as a low blood pressure and rapid heart
rate. To avoid these health issues (or even death),
encourage seniors to drink frequently throughout the day
starting with a small glass of water in the morning. Find a
favorite beverage, such as a healthy herbal tea or fresh
pressed juice.

Diabetes. Many seniors will develop Type II diabetes.
Whether for yourself or other, be sure you are prepared to
handle the special needs of diabetics in an emergency.
Insulin must be refrigerated so you must consider off grid
refrigeration. Solar refrigeration is a must for a diabetic.

Lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading concern in oncology
and aging (40% of all cases are from seniors who are 70
years and older). The American Cancer Society will not tell
you about M ay Chang Oil as a natural cure option because by
law they are only allowed to tell you about chemotherapy,
radiation and surgery. Only 52 percent people diagnosed with
early-stage lung cancer live for five years after diagnosis.
Those are incredibly bad odds, which is why it's important to
look to natural cures for lung cancer, like May Chang Oil. This
is not a snake oil, but an oil that has great hope as
evidenced by abstracts published in the U.S. Library of
Medicine, National Institutes of Health! In the later stages
of lung cancer an oxygen tank may be necessary. An oxygen
tank represents several hazards including mobility and fire
dangers. It's more important than ever to heed warnings and
post signs.

Oral health. A healthy mouth is a harbinger of good health
in the rest of the body! Contrary to what you may think,
fluoride is not good for oral health, in fact fluoride is toxic.
Look for a fluoride-free toothpaste and look to Xylitol gum to
remineralize your teeth. Have a plan for dental pain so that
you're prepared when there is no dentist.

Shingles. Did you know that the shingles vaccine is only 51%
effective? Those are terrible odds! This painful disease will
happen to one of three people who have had Chicken Pox, so
you may as well prepare for natural cures to the Shingles.

Take a deep look at your family history and plan accordingly.
Alzheimer's, heart disease, obesity, osteopororis, and other
medical conditions can slow you down or set you off course, but
by discussing contingencies with family and caregivers you can
rest assured that you or your loved one be well cared for in an
emergency. Remember too, that a senior can be a wealth of
knowledge on medical issues for your family or group. Gather
medical guides and share knowledge if you are a senior prepper.

#2: Mobility.
During a hurricane or other emergency it's important that the
most vulnerable of the population is not forgotten: senior
citizens. This is especially true for preppers who live with
hurricanes as in Florida where one in five residents is a senior
ages 65 or more, according to the U.S. Census bureau. There's
much to think about in caring for seniors in an emergency.

Slips, trips and falls will be a major issue in caring for seniors or
caring for yourself. Slowing down is a natural part of the aging
process and the older you get the less mobile you may become.
Here are some ways you can prepare:

Walk with open arms! Stay active and walk, but play it
safe. Walking is healthy but never put your hands in your
pocket as you walk ~ no matter how cold it is. Your hands
will help brace a fall.

Know the tripping hazards. Did you know that most slips,
trips and falls happen at home? Area rugs, uneven tiles,
slippery bathroom floors, water spilled in the kitchen all
contribute to falls and are tripping hazards to remedy.

Get a walker. Keeping a senior who has mobility issues to
stay active and safe is as easy as getting a well designed
compact walker.

Be ready to flee! Not only should seniors have an
evacuation plan, but they should bring along their
medications and equipment, health insurance cards and
emergency contact numbers. Electric wheelchair or scooters
should have a backup battery charged at all times.

#3: Obesity considerations.
People who live a long life have one thing in common: they are
thin! Obesity is behind the problems of gallstones, hypertension,
heart disease, type II diabetes and even cancer. Seniors can
avoid obesity by:

Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle! Stay active instead of
staying on the sofa. Turn off the television or computer and
do something more active: Cook, garden and do what you
please. Exercise promotes better sleep.

Walking. Taking a walk is probably the best way seniors can
keep from getting obese and stay in shape. It's a low-impact
exercise. Getting a dog is a good way to ensure that you
walk everyday. A dog can also provide companionship,
defense or and medical support. Dogs have been known to
save lives. They are loyal and loving.

Lifting light weights. Another way to stay in shape and keep
obesity from sneaking in is to keep muscles active with light
weights (5-lbs and under).

Watching diet. Learn to burn the stored body fat, but step
up the calcium and antioxidants in the diet. Ensure you get
Vitamins A, C, D, and E. Vitamin A is particularly difficult to
find at the local stores. Right is a Vitamin A concentrate that
comes from carrots!

#4: Senior bugout bag.
Everyone needs a bugout bag, but everyone has different
requirements. Keep the bugout bag light when planning for
seniors, but plan for comfort. The bag could include slippers and
socks or a shawl.

Most importantly, seniors more than most need a bugout bag to
include medical supplies, which may include diabetic supplies,
over the counter arthritic pain medications, prescription medicines
and more.

Things to include in a senior's bugout bag:

Over the counter and natural medicines for arthritic pain.
Extra batteries for hearing aid.
Magnifying glass (or a Fresnel lens) to be able to read.
Ensure plus or other nutrition shakes.
Extra pair of glasses.
Receptacle for dentures and glasses.
Fresh socks and underwear.
Handwarmers and toe warmers.
Skip to #10 emergency checklist and include these items in
the senior's bugout bag.

#5: Have an emergency radio and an evacuation plan.
An emergency radio is important for seniors who live alone so
that they can actively monitor their situation and report back to
loved ones. You may need to help the senior set up NOAA alerts
for the area.

With the radio in hand, and a contact plan in place, the senior
should prearrange a place to go to safety, such as a friend or
family member in another part of the state or somewhere out of
the disaster zone.

Seniors won't fare well in a FEMA shelter as they will have special
needs and could feel confused, neglected and overwhelmed. On
the flip side, typically such shelters are equipped with medical
personnel, and

#6: Have a sanitation plan.
If you are preparing to help a senior who has cancer or other long-
term illness, then you have special needs for sanitation.

Adult diapers and disposal receptacles.
Bed pans and bed pads.
Emesis bags.
Garbage bags for disposal.

#7: Arm yourself if you're a senior.
A senior has every right to the protection afforded by having
firearms, but not every senior will feel comfortable with a firearm.
In such cases, see another kind of protection such having pepper
spray.

Keep your mind sharp and your rights locked and loaded.

#8: Generator and fuel.
Winter is a huge concern for the elderly in terms of keeping warm
too. Seniors will stay warm and cozy in winter with blankets,
handwarmers and toe warmers, but be sure to have a generator
and fuel handy if a caregiver is present to monitor so you're really
equipped for a power outage. Moreover, be sure also to have a
carbon monoxide detector. Seniors who live alone may feel more
safe with a solar heater.

#9: Food storage for seniors.
Nutrition counseling services for seniors are usually available in
communities nationwide, but these counseling services will not
tell you about emergency preparedness. Regarding those needs
and the foods you should store, consider the following:

Can openers. Seniors may have trouble getting a good grip
on canned foods. You'll need an easy to open manual can-
opener, but an alternative option for seniors is a battery
operated can opener. The can opener, right, requires 2 new
AA batteries not included. It's perfect for individuals with
arthritis or hand pain, because requires no manual labor or
strenuous squeezing. Just be sure to have extra batteries on
hand and a manual can opener as a back up.

Nutrition shakes. If you store nutrition shakes and powders
for seniors, be sure to store adequate water to meet the
needs.

Soft foods. One of the most important things to remember
in preparing for seniors is to provide soft foods. Brittle teeth
or lack of teeth are a concern for seniors Skip the granola
bars, hard tack, pilot crackers, beef jerky and other hard
foods in your food storage when prepping for seniors! Ensure
you have plenty of soups and soft foods. Thankfully, much of
the freeze dried and shelf-stable food on the market is soft:

#10: Create an Emergency Checklist
Prepping for the elderly also includes thinking about the
inevitable regarding health and well being. In addition to all the
areas above, you need to create an emergency checklist for
hospitals, hospice and financial details to gain a clear picture of
the senior's wishes and requests.

Your senior care emergency checklist might include:

Durable power of attorney. A durable power of attorney
enables an elderly person to appoint a trusted friend or
relative to handle finances, health and legal responsibilities
should the person not be able to make a decision for him or
herself. Some of this may include:

resuscitation orders (do not resuscitate)
organ donation
Healthcare proxy or other medical decisions.

Last will and testament. Seniors are often reluctant to plan
a will or testament because it is an uncomfortable reminder
that life has a limited lifespan.

List of doctors. A senior may have many different doctors.
Gather a list of them along with their specialities and put
them in the senior's bugout bag.

List of medications. It's important to know the regimen of
medicines. Try to take an interest in the medications so that
you know the supply and needs. Write a plan for caregivers
and include it in the bugout bag.

Financial resources: You may be surprised that a senior you
plan to care for may not be willing to give you his or her
financial information. He or she doesn't want to think of the
unpleasantries of being dependent on you, but it is in his or
her best interest to gather important documents such as:

Insurance
Social Security Numbers
Assets and basic financial records, such as bank account
numbers, financial advisors or representatives.

Photographs. Include laminated pictures of family members
in a senior's bugout bag. Pictures and photographs can help
seniors suffering from aphasia (brain injuries resulting in
aphasia may arise from strokes, head trauma, from brain
tumors, or from infections). It can help seniors communicate
who may not be otherwise able. Help a senior learn sign
language, such as for water (place three fingers like a "W" at
the lips and take a sip from it). To communicate basic needs.

How should a senior citizen prepare? One careful step at a time.
If you are a prepper, wouldn't you rather be one year early than a
day late? This is true especially for seniors.

Happy endings...
Preparedness is a way of life no matter your age! Life is worth
living to the full extent and enjoyment of being happy, healthy
and wise.

More prepping articles..

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or dietary matter, always consult your physician. This information is intended for your general
knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific
medical conditions. Never disregard or delay in seeking medical advice when available. As a
reminder, these statements about extracts have not been evaluated by the United States Food
and Drug Administration.

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