Winter Emergency Kits for Seniors: What You Need to Include

At SureSafe, our mission is all about protecting seniors and keeping them safe. So, it’s no surprise that we often discuss risk and how to reduce it.

That’s especially important in wintertime, when there are many special risks to think about – like the dangers of winter storms, ice, power outages and more. Because of their physical frailty and reduced mobility, seniors are often more severely affected by these problems.

That’s exactly why it’s so important to put together an emergency kit to help keep an older person safer if winter emergencies occur. Of course, there is never a way to eliminate all risks – but every bit of preparedness and prevention matters when emergencies do occur.

What should go into a winter emergency kit for an older person’s home? Read on to learn about the essentials.

1. Health necessities and medical supplies

It’s a fact that many elderly people need medications. Often, older people may also need devices like hearing aids, glasses or other medical devices.

Gathering up medical and health supplies like these should be a top priority in preparing your winter emergency kit. If possible, you’ll want a little extra supply of medication. However, since medicines expire, you’ll need to ensure you switch out and use the medicine in the kit while it’s still within its use-by date.

You might also want spare batteries for hearing aids and spare glasses in case of breakage. If you can stock up on backup supplies for any other health needs, it might be good to do so.

Of course, it goes without saying that a good first aid kit is also essential. Again, check expiration dates and replace any medications or other perishable items when needed.

Lastly, you’ll want items for cleanliness in case your water supply is interrupted – so grab some cleaning wipes and hand sanitiser.

2. Power loss preparations

Losing electricity to the home can be a big problem for anyone, but it’s particularly difficult for seniors.

Firstly, older people see less well in the dark, so a lack of lighting will pose a greater issue. Secondly, elderly people’s bodies often struggle to regulate temperature, so they’re less able to handle and recover from cold environments. At the same time, the cold can be more harmful to seniors, raising blood pressure, thickening blood and increasing the chance of a heart attack, among other problems.

To combat these issues, you’ll want some electric torches with enough batteries to provide light for a day or two. You’ll also want some extra-warm blankets to fight off the cold. You might even want to consider getting a sleeping bag for situations like power outages or a burst pipe that makes a bedroom uninhabitable.

A portable radio and a battery pack for a mobile phone can also be helpful to keep you tuned into updates. Wind-up torches and radios are sometimes recommended for these kinds of kits. However, for some seniors, such as those with arthritis, the action of winding might be painful. You’ll want to consider the physical capabilities of the household to decide which type of device is best.

3. Food and water

It’s typically said that you should have three days’ worth of water and non-perishable food available. In winter, this is important for both power loss and bad weather that prevents you from going to the shops.

You’ll need food that lasts for a long time in the cupboard, can be eaten cold and doesn’t require preparation. Some examples are tinned food that doesn’t need to be heated, granola (or granola bars), crackers and peanut butter. Ensure you have vegetables and fruit among your options. Don’t forget a tin opener, and keep an eye on expiration dates, switching out foods as they grow closer to expiring.

The UK government says that two and a half or three litres of water per person per day is about the minimum needed. More than that is helpful, though.

If you have pets, you’ll need to have a stock of food and water for them, too, as well as any medications they use.

4. Crucial documents and information on paper

Storing information online is so convenient – but it’s also a problem when the power and internet connection go out.

You’ll want to gather together important info in paper format. That means crucial phone numbers for friends, family, utility companies and local services. Keep written instructions for yourself about how to turn off your water, gas or electricity if needed.

You may want to keep any crucial documents such as passports in the same place. That way, if you end up having to leave your home due to a burst pipe, flooding or a dangerous storm, you won’t have to search all over to find the things you can’t leave behind.

Stay connected during winter weather with SureSafe

Studies show that the vast majority of older people would rather keep living independently in their own homes, rather than moving in with family or to a care home.

But when power outages, cold and ice raise the risks for seniors, it’s understandable for family members and the elderly person to feel anxious. An elderly person might wonder how they’ll get help if phone lines are down while the power is out – or what would happen if they slipped on ice when no-one’s nearby to see and provide aid.

That’s where a personal alarm for the elderly comes in. A mobile alarm doesn’t rely on phone lines, and it’s worn on the body, making it available all the time. For an older person who’s fallen in a frosty garden while their phone is inside their home, a personal alarm can mean the difference between getting help fast and lying on the floor for an unknown length of time.

If you’d like to know more about personal alarms, or if you’d like to chat about which alarm could suit your older loved one, give us a call at SureSafe – a leading UK provider of personal alarms. We’re available by phone at 0808 189 1671 or by live chat, or you can simply request a call back.