Ready When It Matters: Emergency Preparedness for Seniors
Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time and older Australians are often among the most affected. At PrepMates, our goal is to make preparedness simple, affordable and accessible for every household.
When disaster strikes, seniors are often the first to lose access to vital supports like transport, carers, medication delivery, and power-dependent health equipment, and the last to have those services restored. Having a clear plan and the right equipment bridges that gap, ensuring safety, comfort and confidence even when systems are down.
- Why tailored emergency preparedness matters for seniors
- The essential steps to getting ready
- Claimable emergency kits and resources
- How our plans align with person-centred preparedness principles (including P-CEP)
- Frequently asked questions
Why Emergency Preparedness Matters for Seniors
Australia’s seasons are becoming unpredictable with hotter summers, stronger storms, more intense bushfires and flash floods. Even in suburban or city areas, risks from power loss, smoke and extreme heat remain significant. Health conditions, mobility limitations, sensory changes or reliance on carers can make responding to sudden emergencies much harder which is why planning ahead and being prepared isn’t optional.. it’s essential!
Steps For Being Ready
1) Understand your risks & make a plan
- Identify the hazards most likely to affect your area such as bushfires, floods, severe storms, or power outages.
- Stay up to date with resources such as alerts from your local council or SES.
- Identify your triggers when would you stay and when would you evacuate?
- Record key contacts, medications, mobility aids and essential health information.
- Share your plan with your support network so others can act quickly if you can’t.
Make it easy: download the PrepMates Seniors Emergency Plan Template. It’s easy to read, captures what matters (contacts, medications, mobility, communication and evacuation details) and aligns with nationally recognised person-centred emergency preparedness frameworks (including P-CEP), so no detail is missed.
2) Build a kit that meets your needs
A generic kit won’t always cover your situation. Seniors benefit from kits that are lightweight, clearly organised and include accessible items and user friendly tools and health and safety items, pill organisers, communication cards, Easy Read instructions and backup power. Every PrepMates seniors kit is built with these realities in mind practical, accessible and designed to be used confidently in any scenario. All seniors kits include our Seniors Emergency Plan.
The PrepMates Range for Seniors & Aged Care
Every PrepMates seniors kit comes with an Emergency Plan included ready to complete, easy to follow, and designed to help coordinate support before, during and after an emergency.
🧰 Seniors & Disability Inclusive Emergency Kits
Essential Care Kit
Designed for one person. Combines core emergency essentials with our planning & communication resources for accessible, real-world readiness.
Planning & Resources
- Seniors & Disability Emergency Plan Template
- Easy Read Communication Cards
- Easy Read Emergency Instruction Cards
Health & Safety
- 29-piece Travel First Aid Kit
- Braille Pill Organiser
- Compact Ear Plugs Set
- 2 × KN95 Face Masks
- Wet Wipes (10 pack)
Light & Power
- Crank & Solar Radio with built-in torch & USB power bank
- 10,000mAh Power Bank (phones or assistive devices)
- 2 × Glow Sticks
Warmth & Safety
- Emergency Thermal Blanket
- Thermal Poncho
- Whistle for signalling
Water Storage
- 10L Collapsible Water Container
🎒 Easy Evac Care Kit
Built for fast evacuation and tailored for seniors or people with disability who may require extra support. Enough single use supplies to cover two adults (perfect for sharing with a spouse or carer, or using across multiple natural disasters) and combines all planning resources with high-capacity gear and protective items.
Planning & Communication
- Disability-specific Emergency Plan Template
- Easy Read Emergency Contacts & Checklist (magnetised)
- Easy Read Emergency Kit Instruction Cards
- Easy Read Communication Cards
Health & Safety
- 110-piece First Aid Kit
- Sensory Regulation Aid Earmuffs
- Braille Pill Organiser
- 4 × KN95 Face Masks
- 2 × Wet Wipes (10 pack)
- Notepad & Pen Set
Light & Power
- Hand Crank & Solar Radio/Torch/USB Power Bank
- 10,000mAh Power Bank
- 4 × Glow Sticks
Warmth & Safety
- 2 × Emergency Thermal Blankets
- 2 × Thermal Ponchos
- Tactical Gloves Set
- Duct Tape Roll
- Whistle
Water & Storage
- 10L Collapsible Water Container)
30L Waterproof Backpack
- Compartmentalised Carry Bags (dedicated Health & Safety and Tools)
📘 Support Resource Pack
For those who mainly need the planning side covered (great for care providers and families). Includes Easy Read communication cards, emergency plan templates and magnetic checklists. This is a great way to start build your own kit.
View the Support Resource Pack
Claimable Under NDIS, HCP & CHSP
- NDIS: Each kit in our inclusive range is claimable under Consumables – Assistive Products for Personal Care & Safety (low-risk, under $1,500, disability-related, value for money).
- Home Care Packages (HCP): Eligible under Goods, Equipment & Assistive Technology (GEAT) where items support independence, health or safety.
- Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP): Recognised under Assistive Equipment or Emergency Preparedness Resources.
Our plans and resources align with a person-centred approach to emergency preparedness (including P-CEP), ensuring communication, mobility, health and assistive needs are built into your plan from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes an emergency kit for seniors?
We do! PrepMates has proudly designed Australia’s first inclusive and accessible Emergency Kits for Seniors built to be practical, easy to use, and ready for real emergencies.
Each kit comes with a Seniors & Disability Emergency Plan to help you stay organised, connected and confident when it matters most.
Why is it important for seniors to have an emergency plan?
During disasters, seniors often lose access to essential services like transport, power, carers or medication delivery earlier than others, and it can take longer for those services to return. A written plan ensures your needs are understood and met, even during disruption.
Are PrepMates kits claimable under care funding?
Yes. Our kits meet funding criteria for NDIS, HCP and CHSP under assistive-technology and consumables categories. Share the product pages with your plan manager or provider for quick approval.
What does person-centred emergency preparedness mean?
It means designing plans and kits around your individual needs mobility, health, communication and daily supports rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Our planning tools align with nationally recognised frameworks, including P-CEP.
Do I need a plan if I have a kit?
Yes. A kit helps you respond; a plan helps you act confidently. Every PrepMates seniors kit includes our easy-to-complete Seniors Emergency Plan to make this simple.
How often should I update my kit and plan?
Review once a year or whenever your health, medication or living situation changes. Replace expired items and update contacts and care details.
What makes a PrepMates kit a thoughtful gift for seniors?
It’s a practical gift that truly shows you care. Whether it’s for a parent, grandparent or loved one living independently, a PrepMates kit offers peace of mind, comfort and protection a simple way to say “I’ve got ya back.”
Final Word
Preparedness isn’t about expecting the worst it’s about protecting what matters most. With a personalised plan, a well-packed kit and a few conversations with the people who support you, you can stay safe and confident through any emergency.
All of our PrepMates seniors kits include our Seniors Emergency Plan, so you’re not just prepared you’re organised, informed and ready to act when it matters most.
🛒 Explore the Seniors & Disability Emergency Preparedness Range
📄 Download the Seniors Emergency Plan