Safety & Emergency Planning

What to Pack in a Hurricane Emergency Kit — For Seniors and People With Disabilities

By GSA Home Care, LLC Team  |  5 min read  |  May 2026

Standard emergency kit lists are written for healthy adults who can carry a bag, drive themselves out, and manage a few days of disruption without much difficulty.

Most of those lists are missing something.

For older adults, people with disabilities, and the families and caregivers who support them, emergency preparedness means accounting for things that don't appear on generic checklists: refrigerated medications, power-dependent equipment, cognitive and sensory support needs, and the reality that evacuation takes longer and requires more planning.

This list starts from that reality.

The Universal Foundation

No matter who is preparing, every kit needs:

Water

• 1 gallon per person per day, minimum
• Plan for at least 7 days
• Include extra for medications that must be taken with water, and for a caregiver if they're staying with the client
• Store in sealed, food-grade containers in a cool, dark place

Food

• 7+ day supply, non-perishable
• No-cook options: canned goods, peanut butter, crackers, dried fruit, nuts, protein bars
• Food that requires minimal prep (manual can opener required)
• Easy-to-swallow options if chewing or swallowing is a concern
• Consider dietary restrictions and preferences — stress is not the time to eat foods that cause discomfort

Power and Light

• 2+ flashlights with extra batteries (or hand-crank)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio (NOAA)
• Fully charged backup power bank for phone and other USB devices
• Consider a solar charger if there's a covered outdoor area
• Extra batteries in multiple sizes

First Aid

• Standard first aid kit: bandages, antiseptic, gauze, medical tape, scissors
• Thermometer
• Pain reliever and antacid
• Latex/nitrile gloves

Documents (in a waterproof bag)

• Photo ID
• Medicare/Medicaid card
• Insurance cards and policy numbers
• Social Security card (or copy)
• Medical records summary (conditions, surgeries, allergies)
• List of doctors and emergency contacts
• Living will or healthcare proxy, if applicable
• Copies of prescriptions

Cash

• Small bills — card readers and ATMs may be down for days

Additional Items for Older Adults and People With Disabilities

This section is where preparation gets specific. Review each category for your loved one's situation.

Medications

• 7-day supply of all prescription medications — refill early
• Over-the-counter medications regularly used
• Written list of all medications with dosages, prescribers, and pharmacy contact
• If any medication requires refrigeration: a good quality insulated cooler and ice packs (or a plan for where to go if power is out for more than a few hours — some county special needs shelters can handle this)
• Medical supply items: glucose monitor, lancets, test strips, insulin supplies, catheter supplies, ostomy supplies — pack a full week's supply

Mobility Support

• Extra wheelchair battery (if power wheelchair) or manual backup if available
• Walker or cane stored in go-bag area
• Extra wheelchair cushion if pressure sores are a concern
• Know the weight and dimension of the wheelchair — confirm it fits in the evacuation vehicle

Hearing and Vision

• Spare hearing aid batteries — these are easy to forget and hard to find after a storm
• Backup glasses or written prescription
• Magnifying glass if needed for reading labels

Cognitive Support

• For clients with dementia or memory challenges: written instructions in simple language for what is happening and what to do; a familiar comfort object; a list of family contacts with photos
• Keep routine as intact as possible — familiar items reduce distress
• Important: inform shelter staff or evacuation support of cognitive needs when registering or arriving

Medical Equipment

• For oxygen users: contact your supplier NOW (before storm season) about backup equipment or power options. Florida law requires oxygen suppliers to have an emergency plan. Know yours.
• CPAP/BiPAP users: ask your supplier about a travel battery pack; pack distilled water for the humidifier
• For any power-dependent equipment: contact your power company's medical baseline or life support program — FPL, TECO, and other Florida utilities have programs to prioritize restoration for registered medical customers
• Know the backup plan if power is out for more than 24 hours

Caregiver-Specific Items

• Caregiver's own medications and personal supplies (they can't help if they're unprepared)
• A separate list of the client's needs, preferences, and medical contacts — in case the regular caregiver isn't available and someone else must step in
• Latex gloves, hand sanitizer, extra masks
• A written daily care schedule that another person could follow

Go-Bag vs. At-Home Supply

There's a difference between what you take if you evacuate and what you store at home for sheltering in place.

Go-bag (portable): Documents, 3-day medication supply, phone and chargers, water for 1–2 days, key comfort items, cash. Should be grabbable in under 10 minutes.

At-home supply: Full 7-day water and food supply, remaining medications, equipment, first aid kit. Staged and organized so things are easy to find in the dark.

Don't wait until a hurricane is named to figure out which is which.

Once a Year: Check and Refresh

The best time to check your emergency kit is before hurricane season begins — May at the latest.

• Replace water stored in non-sealed containers
• Check medication expiration dates and refill
• Replace expired batteries
• Update the document packet with any changes to insurance, medications, or contacts
• Confirm equipment backup plans are still current