isasters are difficult for everyone, but they can be particularly hard on older people, especially those who are frail, sick or affected by dementia.
When the state's emergency response plan kicks in, like it did during recent floods and a bird flu drill, elderly and disabled people should receive specialized transportation, shelter and medical assistance if needed. But safety officials say the best - and quickest - help often comes from friends and family.
"If you know something's coming . . . make sure they're aware of what's going on," said Loudon Fire Chief Jeff Burr. "And have a contingency plan."
Roughly 150,000 New Hampshire residents are older than 65, and many have disabilities that would complicate evacuations, prolonged power outages, widespread illness and other catastrophes. Even a smaller crisis, like a snowstorm or a house fire, can quickly become deadly when older victims are involved.
Transportation, especially in rural towns, is often a challenge when roads are snowed in or washed out, and driving becomes even more precarious if an elderly person has trouble seeing after dark. Even simple things, like not knowing where to find one's winter boots, can slow down an evacuation.
"It's not just picking someone up and moving them," Burr said. "The elderly have their meds, that can certainly be a big issue . . . Sometimes the biggest issue for an elderly person is, 'What's going to happen to my cat or my dog?'"
Seniors - or anyone on regular medication - should keep an extra stash of pills on hand in case of an emergency. It's also a good idea to have a list of drugs, their dosages and the prescribing doctors.
Places with high concentrations of elderly people have plans to deal with disasters. For example, nurses at Merrimack County Nursing Home know how to handle radiation sickness, because the Merrimack home would take care of some Seacoast nursing home residents in the event of a leak at the Seabrook nuclear power plant.
The state has a contract with a school bus company to provide transportation and provisions for the sickest evacuees.
"Some of these buses can actually be outfitted with a way to put a cot or a stretcher across the seats," said Jim Van Dongen, public information officer for the Bureau of Emergency Management. "Some people are bedridden, so you can't just say, 'Get on the bus.'"
Although the state is equipped to help in a major disaster, Van Dongen advises families to develop plans of their own and ask their local police departments for disaster advice specific to their hometown.
Communities should also be aware of older people who may not have family nearby.
"You've got to take care of yourself and your family, but what about the neighbor across the street?" he said. "This isn't rocket science, it's common sense."
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