Many Older Adults Aren't Fully Prepared for Emergency Situations, Poll Finds

A report from the National Poll on Healthy Aging suggests older adults are not ready to handle emergency situations, according to ScienceDaily . Less than half of over 2,200 surveyed adults age 50 to 80 have signed up for emergency warning systems offered by communities, which can provide critical information in times of emergency. Moreover, fewer than 33 percent have organized an emergency kit with essential supplies and medication to get them through an emergency at home or take with them in the event of evacuation. Just 25 percent of respondents who rely on electrical power to run health-related equipment were found to have a backup power supply. "Whether it's as straightforward as a power outage that lasts a day, or as severe as a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake, preparing can make a huge difference," said University of Michigan (U-M) Professor Preeti Malani. "A bit of time spent now can protect your health, and spare you worry and expense, when something like this does happen." U-M's Sue Anne Bell added that the survey's findings can be applied to target efforts to better support seniors for emergency preparation. "By knowing areas where older adults are well prepared, and where they are not, programs can work alongside older adults to become fully prepared and ready," she declared.