Special precautions for typhoon prevention for families with elders: Hidden risks to the elderly caused by power and water outages and emergency preparations for home care

Typhoons are inconvenient for young people, but they may be a crisis for elders

For young people who have good physical strength and can move freely, a typhoon will at best mean a power outage, no air conditioning, and no way to order food delivery. But if you have older relatives in your family, especially those who live alone, are chronically ill, or have mobility issues, the power outages, water outages, and difficulties in going out caused by the typhoon may cause a series of serious health risks.

Taipei and New Taipei are urban areas with a rapidly aging population. There are many old apartments and a low proportion of elevator apartments. The impact of typhoon weather on the living safety of the elderly deserves to be taken seriously by every family.

Five hidden dangers to elders caused by power outages

1. Power outage of life-sustaining equipment: If elders use home oxygen machines, electric sputum suction machines, blood pressure monitoring equipment or electric hospital beds, power outages will directly affect the operation of these life-sustaining equipment. This is not a matter of "inconvenience" but a potentially life-threatening emergency. It is recommended to prepare a UPS uninterruptible power supply system or a large-capacity mobile power supply (at least 500Wh) in advance to ensure that key equipment can survive the power outage.
2. Air conditioning outage and heat stroke: Typhoons usually strike in summer and autumn, which is the hottest period in Taipei. If a power outage shuts down air conditioning, temperatures in enclosed rooms can quickly climb above 35 degrees. The elders' ability to regulate body temperature is worse than that of young people. In addition, many elderly people are reluctant to turn on the air conditioner, making them more likely to suffer dehydration or even heat stroke in high temperature environments.
3. Falls while walking at night: After a power outage, the room is dark. When the elders get up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet, there is no night light, and it is very easy to trip over furniture, thresholds, and debris. Elderly people with osteoporosis may suffer serious injuries such as hip fractures if they fall. It is recommended to place sensor-based LED night lights (battery-operated models) in the hallway and bathroom door in advance, or prepare a flashlight and place it easily at the bedside.
4. Electric wheelchairs or electric scooters cannot be charged: For elders who rely on electric wheelchairs or electric scooters, if the power outage lasts for more than a day, the charging interruption will make it impossible to move, and even going to the toilet will be a problem.
5. The elevator is out of service and unable to get out: It is okay to live in a building with an elevator, but after the typhoon and the power outage, the elevator cannot be used, and the elders living on high floors are trapped at home. If medical treatment or emergency evacuation is required, climbing stairs is a great challenge for elderly people with limited mobility.

Health effects of water outage

Most of the water supply in Taiwanese apartment buildings relies on rooftop water towers. The water in the water towers is pumped up by electric motors from reservoirs in the basement or first floor. Once the power fails and the motor stops, the water in the water tower will be cut off after the water in the water tower is used up.

Elders may therefore face:

• Dehydration caused by insufficient drinking water: Elderly people with chronic diseases need to take medicine regularly, and taking medicine requires water. If the water is cut off and there is no backup drinking water, it may affect the medication and even lead to dehydration.
• The toilet won’t flush: This problem may seem small, but it can be very stressful for seniors with limited mobility. It is recommended to fill a bathtub or a large bucket with water before a typhoon comes, specifically for flushing the toilet.

Typhoon Preparedness Checklist for Elders

Reminder to your children: Make a phone call before the typhoon

If your parents or elders live in an old apartment in Taipei or New Taipei, before a typhoon comes, you don't just send a LINE message saying "be careful". Make a phone call to confirm the following things:

• Is the medicine enough? Is water ready?
• Where to put the flashlight? Is the battery charged?
• Is your phone fully charged? Do you have a power bank handy?
• Have the items on the balcony been collected? Can the windows be closed tightly?
• What should I call if I feel unwell? (119, 1999, or designated family members)

Conclusion: If you think a little more, your elders will take less risks

The core spirit of preparations for typhoon prevention is to "prepare everything that may be needed during abnormal times during normal times." Young people can improvise, but elders often don't have the physical strength and reaction speed. Help them think more carefully and prepare more, and they will have more peace of mind during typhoon days.