Make a DIY Ready-to-Go Kit for Disaster Preparedness
When you bring someone home who will need continual care, the last thing you want to think about is what you would do in an emergency. You already have enough on your mind adapting to a new routine. But the truth is, a disaster preparedness Ready-to-Go Kit should be one of the first things you assemble.
A disaster can strike at any time. When you are caring for someone with special needs, what might be a minor disruption for others can quickly become a major crisis. Having a plan and a kit ready means you can focus on providing support instead of scrambling in a panic.
Step 1: Create a Written Emergency Plan
The first thing to do is write your plan down. Do not rely on memory — it is easy to forget critical steps in the middle of an emergency. You may not even be home when something happens, so make sure whoever is with your loved one has a comprehensive written plan to follow. Store your plan and kit in an easily accessible location and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is.
Step 2: Plan for Equipment and Power Needs
Think through your specific situation carefully. Does the person use a wheelchair? Can it be evacuated quickly? Does their bed need to roll out of the home? If any equipment is electric, what is the plan if the power goes out? Make sure backup batteries are charged and ready. Also confirm you have enough medication on hand to last at least 2–3 days — hospitals are often crowded during emergencies, and you do not want to be in a waiting room simply because you did not plan ahead.
| Pro Tip: Register with your local utility company as a household with a medically dependent resident. Many providers offer priority restoration services and advance notice of outages for households that rely on electric medical equipment. Contact your provider to ask about their medical baseline or life support programs. |
Step 3: Assemble Your Ready-to-Go Kit
The National Organization on Disability recommends the following as a minimum for your kit. Pack everything into an easy-to-grab bag or container stored in a consistent, accessible location:
- A three-day supply of food per person
- A three-day supply of water per person
- Medical equipment and assistive devices (glasses, hearing aids, catheters, canes), plus extra batteries and chargers
- Medications and wound care supplies — check periodically to make sure nothing has expired
- Sufficient diapers or incontinence supplies
- A written list of all medications, including prescription names, dosages, frequency, prescribing doctor, pharmacy, and contact phone numbers
- A cooler and ice pack if any medications require refrigeration
- Emergency contact information, including all support network members
- Copies of important documents: birth certificate, passport, licenses, insurance information, and proof of address — stored in a waterproof bag
- Cash, credit cards, checkbook, and ATM card
- Supplies for any animals, including ID tags, proof of vaccinations, and veterinary contact information
- A white distress flag or cloth, and glow sticks
- A first aid kit
- Written identification of medical conditions, or medical ID bracelets
These are the bare minimums. Add whatever else your household needs to be as safe and comfortable as possible. Keep a separate checklist for items that cannot be pre-packed so you do not forget them in the moment.
Don’t Wait Until You Need It
Make disaster preparedness a priority now, before an emergency arises. A little time spent planning today can make an enormous difference when it matters most.
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We’re Here to Help Part of being prepared means having the right adaptive equipment in place before an emergency happens — and knowing it works. If you have questions about portable mobility aids, backup power options for electric beds, or any other equipment that factors into your emergency plan, we can help you think it through. We also carry a wide range of adaptive equipment that travels well, so your loved one has what they need wherever you end up. Call us: 877-808-4540 (Mon–Fri, 9–5 ET) Email us: contactus@adaptivespecialties.com Or contact us online › |
This is the kind of article worth sharing. If you know a caregiver or family member who could benefit from having this checklist, please pass it along — preparedness is a gift.
Information and resources are provided as helpful educational tools and should not be considered as medical advice. Please partner with your health care professional(s) to assist you in selecting the appropriate adaptive products just for YOU.
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