What Happens When the Power Goes Out and Your Elderly Parent Lives Alone?
An Essential Power Outage Safety Guide for Older Adults and Family Caregivers Imagine it's a cold November evening. Your elderly mother is home alone, watching television, when suddenly the lights go out. The television shuts off. The heat stops running. The house becomes quiet. She reaches for her phone, but the battery is almost dead. Now imagine you're her adult daughter or son, living 45 minutes away—or perhaps in another state. You call to check on her, but she doesn't answer. Would your parent know what to do? And would you know how to help? Power outages can happen at any time of year, but winter storms, high winds, ice, and severe weather can make them especially concerning for older adults who live alone. For some seniors, losing electricity is simply an inconvenience. For others, it can quickly become a serious safety issue. If you are an older adult living independently, or a family caregiver helping an aging parent remain at home, there are important steps you...
