Practical power outage planning for older adults and caregivers: medications, devices, utility priority lists, check-ins, mobility and comfort.
- Ask your pharmacist and doctor about medications and devices before an outage.
- Call your utility about priority or notification programs.
- Arrange daily check-ins with someone nearby.
A power outage can be harder on older adults, especially in extreme cold or heat, or when someone relies on a medical device. A little planning ahead makes a big difference. This guide is general planning information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own needs.
Talk to your pharmacist about medications
Ask your pharmacist how much of each medication you should keep on hand, and whether any need refrigeration. Some, like certain insulins, have specific storage rules, so ask what to do if your fridge loses power. Keep an up to date list of medications, doses and prescribers in your kit, along with your pharmacy's phone number. Use a pill organizer if it helps, and store medications together in one easy-to-find spot.
- Do not change doses or skip medications on your own without professional advice.
- Keep a few days of everything in your grab bag.
- Ask about early refills if a storm is forecast.
Plan for medical devices
If you use oxygen equipment, a CPAP, a powered bed or mobility device, or anything else that needs electricity, make a written plan with your care team. Know the battery runtime of each device and have a backup. Our guide to CPAP and medical devices in a power outage covers backup power basics. Check with the device maker or your supplier about what backup options are safe for your equipment.
Ask your utility about priority registers
Many utilities keep a list of customers who rely on power for medical reasons, or offer special notification. Programs and names differ, and being listed usually does not guarantee that your power will be restored first. It can still mean extra notice or contact. Call your utility or check its website to ask what is available. Our alerts and outage reporting guide helps you find your provider.
Set up check-ins
Agree with a family member, friend or neighbour on how they will check on you during an outage. Decide on a time, such as a call twice a day, and what happens if you do not answer. Give them a key or tell them where to find one, and share your medication list and emergency contacts. If you live alone, a simple daily call can matter a lot. Caregivers who live far away can ask a nearby neighbour to look in.
Think about mobility and safety
- Keep flashlights within reach of your bed and chair, and a headlamp keeps your hands free. See our lighting guide.
- Clear pathways of clutter and cords so you do not trip in the dark.
- If you use stairs, a lift or an elevator, plan how you would get in and out of your home if it stopped working.
- Keep a charged phone, a power bank and a list of emergency numbers beside you.
- Do not use candles near bedding, and never use a grill, stove or generator indoors.
Stay comfortable and safe in cold or heat
Older adults can be more sensitive to temperature extremes. In the cold, dress in layers, wear a hat, and use blankets; see how to stay warm without power. In the heat, stay in the coolest room, drink fluids as your doctor allows, and go to a cooling centre if needed. See our heat wave guide.
Make a simple one page plan
Write down your medications, devices, doctor and pharmacy numbers, utility number, and emergency contacts. Keep copies by the phone and in your kit. Review it each spring and fall. If you are helping a parent, sit down together and walk through it; the plan works best when the person it is for helped write it.
For family and caregivers
If you help an older relative, ask before you assume. Walk through their home together, test their flashlights, and make sure they know how to reach you and the utility. Offer to stock their kit and set a reminder to refresh it. Respect their independence while making sure a backup person knows the plan. Small steps done together are more likely to stick than a big list handed over once.
Quick answers
Does a priority register guarantee faster power restoration?
Not usually. Programs vary by utility, and listing often means better notice or contact rather than guaranteed priority. Ask your utility what it offers.
What should I do if medication needs refrigeration?
Ask your pharmacist now about storage limits and what to do during a power loss. Do not guess; follow their advice for your specific medication.