In December 2023, I participated in my commencement ceremony at Mississippi State University. I had received a Master’s degree in Environmental Geosciences, and it was one of the proudest moments of my life! My 82 year old father insisted on joining me for the trek from Monroe, LA to Starkville, MS despite his growing mobility challenges.
Having him there meant the world to me. Yet, as we made the trip, I noticed that he looked a bit gaunt, moved slower than usual, and seemed quite a bit more fragile than I had noticed before. I told myself it was just the toll of a long car ride. Even though I could tell something was off, my dad is very stubborn, and even offered to drive part of the way himself, though I quickly shut that idea down!
Fast forward to January 2024: my father suffered a seizure after driving to pick up his sister from dialysis. I rushed from Baton Rouge to Monroe, an over 3 hour drive, and was worried about what condition he would be in when I arrived. At the hospital, doctors told me his blood glucose had gone over 600! It turns out that my dad had been neglecting monitoring his glucose levels and wasn’t taking his medication as prescribed.
That medical crisis changed everything. After a long hospital stay and a new diagnosis of congestive heart failure, my dad was discharged to a nursing rehabilitation facility. Overnight, his life shifted from him living independently, cooking meals, and driving himself around to depending on a Rollator for mobility, taking more than 25 pills a day, and needing assistance with basic care.
As a daughter, the transition was heartbreaking. As an emergency preparedness manager, it was eye-opening. I had spent years promoting preparedness to my work colleagues through emails and to the public by attending outreach fairs to remind families to “make a plan, build a kit, and stay informed.” But now the “what-if” mindset that had always served me professionally became a source of constant worry.
• What if a storm knocks out power and my dad can’t refrigerate his insulin?
• What if he falls in the dark during a blackout?
• What if exposure to heat triggers a diabetic emergency?
Preparedness for older adults and medically vulnerable loved ones requires more than a flashlight and bottled water. It calls for extensive planning for medical continuity and support. A few examples include:
• Redundant power sources for phones, medical devices, and glucose monitors
• Medical alert systems that notify caregivers of falls or power outages
• Pre-packed go-bags with medicines, snacks, and emergency contacts
• Insulin travel cases that keep medicine cool without electricity
• Accessible communication tools for one-touch calling
• Extra batteries for blood pressure cuffs and mobility aids
Watching someone who once cared for everyone else become dependent on others can be jarring. My dad has been doing a bit better lately, but still needs a high level of care. My dad and I both adjusting to the new reality of me serving as a caregiver and him having to depend on me for things he once could easily handle on his own.
With National Preparedness Month coming to a close on September 30th, I acknowledge the caregivers across this country. Caregiver preparedness efforts can be overwhelming and stressful at times, but it is a meaningful way to protect those we love. It means working with healthcare providers, community agencies, and support networks to ensure that our loved ones are safe not just during disasters, but in everyday life.
If you are a caregiver, here are a few resources to guide your planning:
https://www.ready.gov/caregivers
https://www.ready.gov/older-adults
https://www.cdc.gov/disability-emergency-preparedness/people-with-disabilities/index.html
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/older-adults.html?srsltid=AfmBOor0y0ld4XLcDCMk5E7H7HWpgflzwk6r3XgAtetmMGKrfXTK-MNm
https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dpqi/cdpb/Documents/DisasterPrepChronicDisease.pdf
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