Emergency Planning for Caregivers
When an emergency happens, the person you care for may rely on you even more than usual. A little planning ahead can help you both feel more prepared, reduce stress, and respond with greater confidence if the unexpected happens.
Whether you care for someone every day or support them from a distance, this guide can help you plan for emergencies, support recovery, and stay connected when it matters most.
Build A Plan Together
The best emergency plans are made together. Talk about what your loved one would need if they had to leave home quickly or stay home without power or other services for several days. Start with the basics by reviewing the Emergency Preparedness Guide together, then focus on the steps especially important for caregivers.
Create a communication plan
If you don’t live nearby, communication becomes even more important. Sign up for emergency alerts where your loved one lives so you’ll receive updates if something happens. Make sure you both know:
- How you'll contact each other if phone service is limited
- Where you'll meet if you're separated
- Who else can help if you can't be there
- How family members, friends, and neighbors will stay informed
Create a backup caregiving plan
Emergencies can make it difficult to reach the person you care for. Having backup plans in place can help ensure they continue receiving the care they need if you're delayed or unavailable. Identify:
- At least one person who could step in if you’re unable to provide care
- Trusted neighbors or nearby friends who can check in
- Alternate transportation if evacuation is needed
- Who has access to house keys or entry codes
- How caregiving services, meal delivery, or transportation would continue if they're interrupted
Keep important information together
Create a simple information sheet that can be shared with emergency responders, healthcare providers, or backup caregivers, if needed. Keep a copy for yourself and one with the emergency supplies and make sure backup caregivers know where to find it. Include:
- Emergency contacts
- Medications and allergies
- Medical conditions
- Doctors, pharmacies, and insurance information
- Medical equipment and power needs
- Communication or mobility needs
- Advance health care directive, if available
Help Prepare for Everyday Emergencies
Complete the basic emergency preparedness steps together before an emergency happens. As you make your plan, think about the services your loved one depends on every day, such as medical equipment, refrigerated medications, meal delivery, or in-home care. Talk with providers about their emergency plans and identify backup options ahead of time.
Plan for Local Hazards
Depending on where your loved one lives, you may need to prepare for hazards such as extreme heat, power shut-offs, landslides, or tsunamis. Review the hazard-specific preparedness guidance together, then talk through how these emergencies could affect:
- Medical equipment and electricity
- Transportation and evacuation
- Medications
- Meal delivery or caregiving services
- Communication if phone or internet service is interrupted
Support Recovery
After an emergency, your role will shift from preparing to helping your loved one recover. Focus on immediate needs first, then work through the next steps together. Recovery can take time, so be patient and accept help when it's available. You can help with the first steps of recovery by:
- Making sure they are safe
- Contacting family members and other caregivers
- Helping apply for FEMA disaster assistance, if available
- Replacing medications or medical equipment
- Helping reconnect home care, meal delivery, or transportation services
- Helping replace important documents
- Watching for signs of stress, confusion, or isolation
- Helping protect them from scams
Care for Yourself, Too
Supporting someone during an emergency can be stressful. Taking care of yourself helps you continue caring for the person who depends on you, and you don’t have to manage everything on your own. Try to:
- Take breaks when you can
- Eat, drink water, and get enough rest
- Accept help from family, friends, or neighbors
- Reach out for emotional support if you need it
Helpful Resources
These guides and resources can help you prepare, respond, and recover before, during, and after an emergency.
You can't predict every emergency, but you can prepare for one. Planning together today can help you and the person you care for feel more confident, stay connected, and navigate emergencies with the support you both need.