Older person in the household (from about 70)

Applies when a person aged 70 or over is entered in the supplies calculator — the emergency folder then includes the relevant notes automatically.

Older people are the most at risk in any crisis: heat, cold, dehydration, missing medication and slower evacuation. Planning here means: them first.

Medication & health

• Printed medication plan (name, dose, time, what for) — in the emergency folder
• Supply for 4 weeks, better 8; get repeat prescriptions in good time
• Medicines that need refrigeration: plan for a power cut (guide 10)
• Aids: spare glasses, hearing aids + batteries, walking aid/rollator, incontinence products for 14 days if needed
• Emergency medical card/medication list, advance directive and lasting power of attorney (copies) in the document folder
• Family doctor and care service (if any) on the paper phone list

Drinking, warmth, heat

• The sense of thirst declines with age → fixed drinking amounts (1.5 l/day, keep a glass in sight), more in hot weather
• Cold (winter blackout, heating fails): older people cool down faster → warmest room, hat, several layers, hot-water bottle (heat water on the camping stove)
• Heat: coolest room, darken it during the day, wet cloths, light food
• Warning signs: confusion, dizziness, very little urine → encourage drinking plenty; if things get worse, call 112 (or your country's emergency number, see region box)

The warning must reach them

• Sirens and phone alert tones are often not heard → always tell them in person
• Clear agreement: who fetches the older person during an alert if the others are not at home: ……
• Neighbour as contact person: ……

Evacuation & leaving home

• Older people need more time → set off earlier than everyone else (that is exactly what the early warning is for)
• Their own light backpack (max. 3–4 kg), or someone else carries their luggage
• A fixed seat in the car, medication on the body, not in the boot
• In emergency accommodation: close to the ground floor, toilet nearby
• If they cannot come along: organise help in good time (report to emergency services / civil protection via 112)

State of mind

• Older people have often lived through crises before — make use of their calm and experience
• Keep the same daily structure, give them fixed tasks (e.g. listening to the radio and reporting), don't leave them alone