Older people and additional needs: a household emergency plan
By UK Be Ready · Last checked 8 November 2026
Independent guide. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the UK Government. Official advice: Be Ready.
First three things to do
- Check the person is safe, comfortable and able to contact someone.
- Follow the agreed care plan for any equipment affected by lost power.
- Contact the nominated family member, carer or neighbour; call 999 for an immediate threat to life.
Before: write one page together
Make the plan with the person, respecting their choices and privacy. Record the contacts they want used, their usual pharmacy and care team, and where important items are kept. Keep a printed copy accessible and agree who may have another copy.
Ask the pharmacist when to request repeat prescriptions, and what to do if refrigerated medicine warms up. Avoid changing doses or discarding essential treatment without advice. Include glasses, hearing-aid batteries, mobility aids and a torch in the plan.
Equipment needs a clinical backup plan
Government power-cut advice says people using mains-powered medical equipment should plan with their care provider, clinical team and equipment supplier. Ask how long any battery actually lasts, who to call and when to move to a place with power. This applies to equipment such as oxygen concentrators and powered care aids; do not rely on a generic household power bank.
Ofgem explains that suppliers and network operators maintain Priority Services Registers. Eligible households can receive extra help and, where possible, advance notice of planned cuts. Register relevant needs with energy and water providers, keep details current and ask what support is available locally.
A corded phone may still need electricity
Ofcom warns that digital landlines need power at home, even when the handset has a cord. Tell your provider if you depend on the landline or have unreliable mobile reception. Ask about a suitable backup for emergency calls, how to test it and its operating time. Telecare alarms also need their compatibility and backup checked with the provider.
Agree a check-in time and a simple fallback: if the phone fails, who will knock at the door, and who should they contact if there is no answer? Keep walking routes clear and a torch within reach of the bed.
During and after
Use layers and blankets, and seek help moving somewhere warm if the home becomes unsafe. Check in at the agreed times. After power returns, follow equipment instructions, check medication-storage concerns with the pharmacist and replace used supplies. Review what was difficult while the experience is fresh.
Your 10-minute job
Agree one check-in contact and write their number beside the phone. Ask the phone provider whether the current handset and service work during a power cut.
Sources and further reading
- Government advice: power cuts and medical equipment
- Ofgem: join your supplier’s Priority Services Register
- Ofcom: your landline is going digital
Sources checked 8 November 2026. This is general household preparation guidance; current incident instructions and individual clinical or veterinary advice take priority.