Power outages and older parents: devices, heat and cold, checking in and who to call

Start with a conversation, not a shopping list

Ready.gov's older-adult page says: "As an older adult, you may have specific needs after a disaster." It asks older adults to "take simple, low-cost steps that help you get better prepared." Most of those steps are about people and plans, not products.

Ready.gov also says to create a support network of family, friends and others, to make a plan and practice it with them, and to make sure at least one person in the network has an extra key, knows where the emergency supplies are and knows how to use lifesaving equipment or give medicine. If you live far away, that person may be a neighbor, so ask your parent who they would call. Our guide to older adults and emergency preparedness covers the wider plan.

Medical devices and medicines

Ready.gov says a power outage may "prevent use of medical devices," and among its steps are: talk to the medical provider about a plan for electric devices and refrigerated medicines; take an inventory of items that rely on electricity and plan for batteries or a power bank; and find out whether the home phone works in an outage and how long its battery backup lasts.

On medicines, Ready.gov says: "If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug's label says otherwise. Consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately for a new supply." The CDC adds that if a life depends on a refrigerated drug that has been at room temperature, use it only until a new supply is available. That is a decision to make with a pharmacist or doctor in advance, not in the dark. Our guide to medical devices in a power outage has the questions to ask.

The HHS emPOWER Map shows how many Medicare beneficiaries in each state, county and ZIP Code rely on electricity-dependent equipment. It is built for community planning, with de-identified totals. It is not a sign-up list. Separately, HHS keeps a restricted dataset that only public health authorities can request for emergency outreach; you cannot join or check it yourself.

Cold: keeping the house warm enough

NIA says older adults can lose body heat quickly, and changes in the body with age can make it harder to notice a drop in body temperature. It says to set the thermostat to at least 68 to 70°F, and that even mildly cool homes at 60 to 65°F can lead to hypothermia in older adults. In an outage the thermostat will not help, so the plan is layers: NIA suggests long underwear, socks and slippers, a blanket over the legs and shoulders, and a hat indoors.

The CDC says hypothermia is a dangerous condition and that if you notice signs, take the person's temperature, and if it is below 95°F, get medical attention immediately. NIA lists warning signs that include slowed or slurred speech, sleepiness or confusion, and shivering or stiffness, and says to call 9-1-1 right away. If the house is too cold, the CDC says to seek shelter with friends or at a community shelter, and Ready.gov says to check with local officials about warming locations. See staying warm without power.

Heat: when the air conditioner stops

The CDC says people aged 65 or older are more prone to heat-related health problems. They do not adjust as well as younger people to sudden changes in temperature, and they are more likely to take medicines that affect the body's ability to control temperature or sweat. The CDC's advice: stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible, and if the home has none, contact the local health department or find an air-conditioned shelter. A shopping mall or public library works too: the CDC says even a few hours in air conditioning can help.

The CDC also says: "Do not rely on a fan as your main cooling source when it's really hot outside," and to drink more water than usual and not wait until thirsty. If a doctor limits fluids or prescribes water pills, ask how much to drink in hot weather. See extreme heat safety.

Checking in

Ready.gov's planning page for neighborhoods and apartments says to "decide who will check on elderly or disabled neighbors." The CDC says to check on a friend or neighbor and have someone else do the same for you, and, for people in your care, to visit at least twice a day in hot weather.

Our suggestion, if you cannot visit: a phone call at agreed times, a neighbor with a key, and a backup if the phone network is down. Ready.gov says an outage may disrupt communications, and it also asks whether the home phone works without power. Write the agreed times on the fridge. If you believe it is an emergency, call 911.

211 and help with bills

The FCC describes 211 this way: "Call 211 to access community services and resources to help you find essentials, such as food, shelter, clothing, education, transportation, and physical and mental health care services." Our suggestion: put the number in your parent's phone, and try it during a long outage when you need help finding a warming or cooling location.

For energy bills, NIA says that states, territories, tribes and tribal organizations may be able to help eligible households pay for home heating and cooling costs, and to contact the local or state social services agency to apply. We could not verify a federal list of utility medical-needs programs, and Ready.gov mentions none. So the practical step is a phone call: ask your parent's electric company whether it keeps a list for customers who rely on medical equipment, and what that list does and does not promise. Our state pages link to each state's emergency management office, and our power outage by ZIP code page shows what is out now.

Carbon monoxide and safe light

These lines are official wording. CDC: "Never use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent." CDC: "When using a generator, use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector in your home." Ready.gov: "Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home."

The CDC also says to use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns rather than candles to minimize the risk of fire. Check that your parent's CO alarm has battery backup and works; see carbon monoxide poisoning.