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In the ongoing effort to support our local, county, and state partners, IEMA will provide information and specifics to coordinate current information:
 

  • Presidential Disaster Declaration for Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago Counties in Illinois for severe weather in July 2024
  • Presidential Disaster Declaration for St. Clair County in Illinois for flooding for 2022
  • Presidential Disaster Declaration for Cook County in Illinois for severe weather in June/July 2023
  • The State of Illinois Disaster Proclamation for the Asylum Seekers in Illinois

Seniors

Seniors may have special needs that must be considered when you create a Household Plan and Emergency Kit.

Mobility

  • If you or a family member has difficulty moving quickly and easily, make sure your neighbors are aware and you have someone who can check in during an emergency.
  • Develop a support network with several people who will follow up with you after an emergency.

Medication and Medical Supplies

  • Keep a separate supply of at least seven days’ worth of any medication or critical medical supplies, such as oxygen. 
    • Talk to your pharmacist and health care insurer to see if your insurance plan offers a more affordable mail-order option. Some insurers are also allowing early refills and extending the term of a prescription from a 30-day supply to a 90-day supply.
    • How Medicare is Responding to COVID-19. 
  • If you rely on others to help fill your weekly medication boxes or remind you to take your medications, consider the Automated Medication Dispenser Program (AMD).  AMD is a service provided under the Illinois Department on Aging's Community Care Program. 
  • If you rely on electric medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, insulin pumps, ventilators, and oxygen compressors, talk to your medical supply company about getting extra batteries or a generator as a back-up power source.

Additions to the Emergency Kit and Go Bag

  • A whistle to signal for help.
  • Necessary medications and supplies.
  • Special sanitary needs.
  • Important medical phone numbers.
  • Food that meets specialized dietary needs.
  • List of medications, medical conditions, insurance information, allergies, and a copy of your insurance cards. Keep one copy with you at all times, and give the other copy to someone else for safekeeping.

Care

  • During an emergency, personal care attendants may not be able to make it to their patients. Make arrangements with caregivers who are familiar with your personal care agency’s emergency policy.
  • Before an emergency or disaster, take a moment to identify the various services available in your area. In addition to the 211 system in many communities, older adults and their caregivers can connect with local support resources through the IDoA Provider Profile search tool, or through a national program, Eldercare. 
  • Illinois has 13 Area Agencies on Aging and 46 Care Coordination Units that work together to ensure that services are never interrupted.  If you are an older family member, friend or neighbor needs assistance, contact the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 (hearing impaired 888-206-1326) or by email at aging.ilsenior@illinois.gov
  • If you have a service animal, make sure it has a registered tag.
Technology

Access and use of technology by older adults is important to building and keeping socially connected. Not only can smartphones and tablets/computers help you connect with family and friends, but these devices can also offer ways to receive emergency alerts and notifications about impending weather or hazards.  

For Additional Information