Caregivers Preparedness Checklist

Caregivers

Preparedness Checklist

Although disasters affect everyone, people who care for others have a unique

role to prepare both themselves and the ones they care for. The climate crisis

is causing more frequent and extreme weather events which is why it’s more

important than ever to be prepared. Prepare now to protect yourself and the

people you care for.

Be Red Cross Ready

Build a Team

Identify individuals and organizations

who can support you and the person

you care for.

Disasters are challenging, and you can’t be

expected to do everything on your own. Plan

now by creating a team who can help you in a

disaster. Consider including family members,

neighbors, friends, colleagues, neighborhood

groups, faith-based groups, health care

providers, service providers, and social

service organizations.

Write down your loved ones needs,

routines, and current conditions and

share with team members as appropriate.

This will ensure that the team can help each

other provide the care your loved one needs

when a disaster happens.

Document Your Loved One’s

Everyday Needs

Needs

Routines Conditions Healthcare

• Mobility limitations

• Physical /cognitive

limitations

• Safety concerns

• Transportation needs

• Social interaction,

friendship

considerations

• Make sure pet or

service animal is

up to date on

vaccinations and have

your veterinarian’s

contact information.

• Sleeping schedule

• Wake-up / Bedtime

• Meals and snack routine

• Bathroom routine

• Bathing and Grooming

• Entertainment preferences

(conversation, reading,

music, tv)

• Health conditions

and diseases

• Medications

(self-administer or

need help?)

• Assistive devices

(cane, wheelchair,

hearing aids,

glasses, dentures)

•Identification (date

of birth, Social

Security number and

a current photo)

• Contact info:

doctors, dentists,

therapists, and home

health care providers

• Insurance information

Caregivers Preparedness Checklist

After you have documented your loved

one’s needs, plan how to meet them in

different disaster scenarios as a team.

•Plan how you will communicate with one another

before, during, and after a disaster.

•Involve the people you care for as much as possible.

•Discuss how your loved one’s or your own medical,

physical, and cognitive needs may affect your ability

to respond.

•Encourage everyone to share ways they can help.

Then, assign responsibilities ahead of time for

different disaster situations. Depending on the

disaster, you may need to shelter where you are

or evacuate to stay safe. Make sure to discuss:

▫How will we find out about an emergency?

▫Can we stay safely at home without power?

Will we need electricity to operate medical

equipment, keep medicines cold, or maintain a

safe temperature?

▫If we need to evacuate, where will we go? How

will we get there? Where will we stay? What

will we bring? What help do we need to travel?

▫Will we have proper food and medication?

Can we maintain vital medical care while away?

▫How will we care for pets during an evacuation?

▫Can we move quickly to an outside meeting place

in the event of a home fire? Can we move quickly

to a tornado safety spot (basement or interior

room on the lowest floor)?

Plan to Stay Connected

Some hazards, like tornadoes and flash floods,

require you to act immediately to stay safe. Stay

informed about any changing conditions and be

ready to act fast. Here are some things you can do:

•Sign up for local government emergency alerts.

Local governments issue evacuation notices.

•Your community may maintain a list for people

with access and functional needs. If available,

consider registering.

•Plan to follow weather watches and warnings

issued by the National Weather Service.

•Download the Emergency app onto your phone

by searching “American Red Cross” in your

app store and set up alerts.

•Consider getting an emergency battery-

powered radio, so you can stay informed about

changing weather.

Gather Emergency Supplies

Disasters can lead to power, gas, water,

and communications outages. Roads may

be blocked. Emergency services may be

delayed. Stores and pharmacies may be

closed. Gather supplies such as food, water,

and medicine for your household before an

emergency happens. Organize supplies

into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit.

•Go-Kit: at least three days of essential

supplies if you need to leave immediately.

•Stay-at-Home Kit: at least two weeks

of supplies.

•Talk with your doctors and your loved

one’s doctors about how to ensure

access to at least a one-month supply

of essential medications.

•Make sure to include backup batteries and

chargers for devices (cellphone, CPAP,

wheelchair, etc.)

•Include supplies for pets such as food,

medications, disposal bags, a crate, and

a leash.

•Keep personal, financial, and medical records

safe and easy to access (hard copies or

securely backed up).

Plan to Take Care of Each Other

• Understand the dangers you may face after

a disaster from extended power outages and

during cleanup.

•After a disaster, scammers, identity thieves,

and other criminals may take advantage of

some people. Work with vetted, trusted

sources, and safeguard your personal and

financial information.

•It’s normal to have bad feelings, stress, or anxiety

after a disaster or other emergency. Remember

the team is there to help you. Be sure to check

on each other.

•Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help

you deal with stress.

•Know that you can contact the Disaster Distress

Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone.

Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

For more information, visit redcross.org/prepare Download the Emergency App

Hazard and Protective Actions Icons are used courtesy of FEMA and are available at community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/protective-actions-icons