Emergency Plan for Older Adults in Hurricane Season

In Puerto Rico, hurricane season isn't a remote possibility: it's part of the calendar. And when there's an older adult in the house, preparation can't be left for the day before. A good emergency plan is made calmly, in June—not in a rush under a storm warning.

This guide summarizes the essentials to protect an older adult before, during, and after a weather event.

Before: The Plan Is Written on Paper

Every emergency plan for an older adult should include:

• Medication and condition list: name of each medication, dose, and schedule, plus the name and phone number of their doctor and pharmacy. Keep a paper copy and a digital one.
• Important documents: IDs, health plan cards, emergency contacts, and legal powers of attorney, in a waterproof bag.
• Supplies for at least 7 days: water (one gallon per person per day), foods that don't need refrigeration, batteries, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio.
• Evacuation plan: decide in advance where you'd go if you have to leave: a family member's house, a designated shelter. Note the route and an alternate meeting point.
• Support network: at least two people—beyond the immediate family—who know where the older adult is and how to reach them if communication goes down.

During: Calm, Company, and Communication

During the event, the most important thing is that the older adult isn't alone. Fear and disorientation grow in darkness and noise. If they have a caregiver, coordinate with the agency beforehand who will be present and on which shifts.

Keep medications accessible, ration water from day one, and keep the person from going out to "check damage" while there are winds or flooding. A battery-powered radio beats a dead phone for staying informed.

After: The Emergency Doesn't End When the Wind Stops

The days after are usually the hardest for an older adult: heat without a fan, limited food, broken routines, and anxiety. Check that they take their medications on schedule, hydrate, and eat even if just a little. If they use electrical equipment (nebulizer, electric bed, electric wheelchair), have an alternate plan from before.

And tend to the emotional side: after María, many older adults developed anxiety at every heavy rain. Attentive company on those days is worth as much as water and food.

The Caregiver's Role in the Emergency

A professional non-clinical caregiver can be part of the plan: presence during the event, help with prior preparation, follow-up on routines and medications per the family's list, and constant communication with family members who are away. Coordinate it with your agency before the season starts, not when there's already a warning.