Using Technology During a Disaster
A Guide for Seniors, Caregivers, and Families Supporting Someone with Dementia
Read time: 6 minutes
- Prepare before disaster strikes – pre-program contacts, set up GPS trackers, keep devices charged, and store a one-page medical summary in the kit.
- During a crisis, simplify – text over calls, assign one family communication lead, and use familiar music or video calls to calm someone with dementia.
- After, rebuild routine fast – use telehealth, document cognitive changes, and restore regular schedules with phone reminders.
When an emergency strikes – a power outage, a flood, an extreme heat event – most of us reach for our phones. But for older adults, and especially for those living with dementia, that instinct isn’t always available. Cognitive changes, unfamiliarity with devices, sensory limitations, and the disorientation that emergencies bring can all make technology harder to access exactly when it’s needed most.
This guide walks through how technology can support seniors and their families before, during, and after a disaster – and how to adapt standard preparedness advice for the realities of aging and dementia.
Before the Emergency: Preparation Is the Technology
The most important tech work happens long before anything goes wrong.
For all seniors:
- Program emergency contacts directly into the phone with simple labels: “My Daughter Karen,” “My Doctor,” “My Neighbour.” Avoid relying on memory for numbers.
- Set up a medical alert device if your loved one lives alone. These wearable devices allow a person to call for help with one button – no smartphone required.
- Enable location sharing on a smartphone so a family member can check on a senior’s whereabouts during an evacuation or if they become disoriented.
- Charge devices regularly and keep a portable power bank in the emergency kit.
- The Government of Canada recommends being prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours – that includes keeping devices charged and having backup power ready.
- Download offline maps of your area.
- If cellular networks go down, GPS still works without internet.
Additional steps for dementia caregivers:
- Create a one-page emergency document stored on the phone and printed for the kit. It should include: the person’s name, photo, diagnosis, medications, allergies, the name and number of their primary caregiver, and any behavioural triggers to be aware of. First responders and shelter staff will need this.
- Consider a GPS tracker worn as a watch or clipped to clothing – not dependent on the person knowing how to use it.
- Pre-record a short, calm video message from a familiar family member that can be played on a tablet or phone to help orient and soothe during a disorienting situation.
During the Emergency: Keep It Simple
In a crisis, cognitive load spikes for everyone – and especially for those with dementia. Technology should reduce confusion, not add to it.
- Use text over calls when possible.
- Texts go through on overloaded networks when calls drop, and they can be re-read.
- Have one point of contact in the family who coordinates all communication.
- A group chat with a designated “lead” avoids overwhelming an older adult with multiple simultaneous messages.
- Keep a battery-operated or hand-crank radio in the emergency kit.
- In an emergency, basic services like power, water, and phone service may not work – a radio is the most reliable way to receive official updates when everything else fails. You can build an emergency kit here – canada
- If sheltering in place, set phone alarms for medication times.
- Routines collapse in emergencies; an alarm removes the need to track time mentally.
For those with dementia:
- Familiar sounds and visuals reduce distress.
- A tablet loaded with favourite music, family photos, or a familiar TV show can be a powerful calming tool during displacement or shelter-in-place situations.
- Avoid news broadcasts in shared spaces if your loved one is present.
- Breaking news coverage – loud, alarming, repetitive – can escalate anxiety and confusion significantly.
- Use simple, direct language in any tech-assisted communication.
- Video calls with a familiar face are often more effective than phone calls for someone with dementia, because the visual cue adds grounding.
After the Emergency: Recovery and Re-Orientation
The period after a disaster is often when caregivers are most depleted – and when seniors, particularly those with dementia, are most vulnerable to setbacks.
- Use telehealth appointments to check in with physicians and specialists without requiring travel, especially if roads are disrupted or your loved one is exhausted.
- Document any changes in behaviour or cognition using notes on your phone. Disruptions to routine, sleep, and environment can cause temporary but significant cognitive shifts in people with dementia — having a record helps when speaking to care teams.
- Re-establish routine as quickly as possible and use phone reminders or smart home devices (like a simple voice assistant) to reinforce regular mealtimes and medication schedules.
Building Your Emergency Kit with Seniors in Mind
The Government of Canada’s emergency kit checklist is a solid foundation – but it needs to be customized for older adults. If possible, include enough medication to last a couple of weeks, and consider what specialized equipment may be needed for family or household members with limited mobility or special needs.
For seniors and dementia caregivers, add:
- Printed copies of all key documents (medical history, medication list, emergency contacts, care instructions)
- A charged portable power bank
- A simple corded phone (works when power is out and cellular is down)
- Hearing aid batteries and glasses, clearly labelled and easy to find
- A comfort item for someone with dementia (familiar object, photo book, or stuffed animal — not trivial; deeply practical)
- A written, laminated daily routine card that can be handed to any caregiver or shelter volunteer
Here are some videos that are great for helping you get started:
Emergencies don’t wait until we’re ready. But preparation – including the quiet, unglamorous work of charging devices, printing documents, and talking through plans with your loved one – is what makes the difference between a crisis that is managed and one that isn’t.
For more on supporting seniors through challenging transitions, read our posts on Spring Planning for Seniors and Seniors Helping Seniors: The Neighbour-Led Model That’s Transforming Aging in Place.