Start with a plan, not a shopping list

Supplies matter, but the first thing to settle is the decision: will your loved one stay or go, and who decides? For seniors, evacuating early — before roads clog and shelters fill — is almost always safer than waiting. Talk through, in advance:

• Under what conditions your parent will evacuate (mandatory orders, loss of power for medical equipment, etc.).
• Where they’ll go — a family member’s home inland, or a shelter.
• Who is responsible for transportation, and a backup if that person can’t get there.
• How you’ll stay in touch if cell networks are strained.

Write it down and make sure every family member has the same plan. In a crisis, ambiguity is dangerous.

Register for help before the season

Sarasota and Manatee counties maintain special needs registries for residents who may require assistance evacuating or a special needs shelter — for example, those who depend on electricity for medical equipment, need oxygen, or can’t evacuate without help. Registering before a storm is on the map means help can find your loved one when it counts. Contact your county emergency management office at the start of hurricane season, not when a storm is 48 hours out.

Build a senior-specific emergency kit

The standard “three days of water and canned food” advice is a starting point, but older adults need more. Aim for seven days of supplies where possible, and pay special attention to:

• Medications — at least a two-week supply, in original labeled containers, plus a written list of every medication, dose, and prescribing doctor. Ask the pharmacy about early refills before a storm.
• Medical equipment and power — backup batteries for hearing aids, chargers for mobility devices, and a plan for oxygen or CPAP if power fails. Know how long equipment runs on backup.
• Water and easy food — enough water, plus foods that need no cooking and suit any dietary restrictions.
• Mobility and comfort — glasses, a spare cane or walker, incontinence supplies, and a few days of familiar comforts.
• A “grab-and-go” document folder (see below).
• Cash — ATMs and card readers fail when power does.

Protect the paperwork

When you’re helping someone evacuate, the last thing you want is to be hunting for documents. Keep copies — paper in a waterproof folder and digital on a phone — of:

• Photo ID, insurance and Medicare cards.
• The full medication and allergy list.
• Doctors’ names and phone numbers.
• Emergency contacts and a copy of any advance directives or power of attorney.
• A recent photo of your loved one (invaluable if you’re ever separated).

If your parent lives in a senior community

One of the underappreciated benefits of assisted living in Florida is that emergency preparedness is built in and regulated. Florida requires licensed assisted living facilities to maintain a comprehensive emergency management plan, and rules adopted after recent storms require facilities to have backup power capable of maintaining safe indoor temperatures for residents during an outage. Still, you should know your community’s specific plan. Ask:

1. Do you shelter in place or evacuate, and how is that decision made?
2. If you evacuate, where do residents go and how are they transported?
3. What backup power do you have, and what does it keep running?
4. How will you communicate with families during and after a storm?
5. How are medications, medical equipment, and dietary needs handled during an event?

A good community will have clear, confident answers — and having them before the season gives everyone peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions

When should an older adult evacuate? Generally, as early as possible — ideally before a mandatory order, while roads are clear and help is available. Seniors who rely on electricity for medical equipment or who can’t move quickly should treat evacuation as the default, not the last resort. Follow local officials’ guidance.

What is a special needs shelter, and how do we qualify? It’s a shelter equipped to support people with certain medical or mobility needs during an emergency. Eligibility and registration are handled by your county emergency management office — sign up at the start of hurricane season, before a storm threatens.

Is my parent safer riding out a storm in assisted living or at our house? It depends on the specific situation, but licensed Florida communities are required to have emergency plans and backup power provisions, which can make them well-prepared. Review both your community’s plan and your own home readiness, and follow local evacuation orders regardless.

Helpful government resources

• Ready.gov — Older Adults — federal guidance on building a plan and kit tailored to seniors.
• Florida Division of Emergency Management — statewide preparedness information, including special needs registry guidance.
• Sarasota County Emergency Management — local plans, shelters, and the special needs registry.
• Florida Agency for Health Care Administration — oversees emergency planning and backup power rules for licensed assisted living facilities.

How Suncoast Senior Living can help

Weathering Florida storms is part of caring for seniors here, and it’s something our three Sarasota communities — Suncoast House, Suncoast East, and Suncoast Club at Prestancia — take seriously all year, not just when a storm appears. From emergency plans to keeping families informed, our goal is that residents stay safe and calm, and that you never wonder whether your loved one is looked after.

If storm season has you thinking about a safer, better-supported setting for a parent, contact us to talk it through or explore our Sarasota communities. Preparedness is one more worry we’re glad to carry with you.

Sources: Ready.gov (ready.gov); Florida Division of Emergency Management (floridadisaster.org); Sarasota County Emergency Management (scgov.net); Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (ahca.myflorida.com). General guidance current as of July 2026 and subject to change.