The steps of preparing for emergencies listed are appropriate and identical for all people.
Nonetheless, sometimes, because of differing needs and sensitivities, special emphasis on some aspects of emergency preparation is necessary.
As we prepare for emergencies, it behooves us to pay particularly extensive attention to the elderly.
The elderly have a great deal of life experience that gives him/her a clear advantage in coping with emergencies. Sometimes, this results in relatively fewer fears or concerns than those experienced by the general public. Generally, the elderly are more available than others to participate in preparations for emergencies, and are also in touch with other elderly whom they can assist. These characteristics turn the elderly into an invaluable resource for the community; they represent a critical component of the strength and readiness of the community as a whole.
At the same time, most elderly have difficulties of one kind or another that require intensified preparation for emergencies: difficulties in reaction time and mobility, visual and hearing impairments, and difficulty adjusting to changing situations – a characteristic of emergencies.
Similarly, the elderly might perceive the threat and danger more intensely than others, and this, in turn, intensifies the pre-existing difficulties, hazards and anxieties. Sometimes, because of feelings of inadequacy, the elderly might not undertake the required steps of preparing for emergencies.
It is important to treat the elderly individually. There are elderly who are independent and quite capable of doing everything necessary in an emergency, while there are other elderly who are limited in their actions and in their understanding of the situation. It is recommended to act according to the following principles while taking in consideration the particular abilities and limitations of the elderly in question, so as to prepare correctly and to implement the steps of preparation appropriately and quickly.
It should be stressed that it is crucially important to maintain contact with the family, for the purpose of support and guidance both during the preparations stage and during the emergencies themselves.