The Legacy Forum #2
Emergency Preparedness
Preparing Today for Peace of Mind Tomorrow
August 19, 2026 • Compassion by Design, Inc.
A Prepared Caregiver Corner™ Special Edition
Legacy Forum #2 focused entirely on helping caregivers, older adults, families, and community members become more informed, prepared, and confident before an emergency occurs. The message throughout the evening was simple: preparedness starts before the emergency.
The Evening at a Glance
Welcome & Opening
Founder & Executive Director of Compassion by Design, opening the special edition and centering the importance of preparedness for caregivers and the people they support.
Prepared Caregiver Corner™
Prepared Caregiver Corner™ founding expert, sharing practical steps caregivers can take to prepare their households, medications, documents, supplies, and caregiving plans for an emergency.
Guided Conversation
Moderating the conversation and helping connect emergency-preparedness guidance with the realities caregivers and families face every day.
What Caregivers Can Do Now
Begin with an emergency preparedness notebook.
Create one central place for your emergency plan. Include sections for alternate caregivers, medications, important documents, pets, emergency contacts, and disaster-specific actions.
Build a grab-and-run kit.
Prepare a tub or backpack with essential medications, waterproof copies of vital documents, flashlights, batteries, a phone charger, water, nonperishable food, blankets, and comfort items.
Identify alternate caregivers.
Designate at least two people who could step in if the primary caregiver is unavailable. Make sure they know how to reach the person receiving care and have the information they would need.
Practice before an emergency happens.
Rehearse evacuation plans, including transfers and mobility assistance for household members who may need additional support.
Review your plan every six months.
Emergency plans should change as medications, caregiving needs, contact information, and seasons change. Schedule time twice each year to refresh supplies and rehearse the plan.
Three Actions You Can Take Today
Emergency preparedness can feel overwhelming. You do not have to complete everything at once. Start with three manageable steps.
Watch Legacy Forum #2
Watch the full Prepared Caregiver Corner™ Special Edition and learn practical steps you can use to strengthen your own emergency preparedness plan. Share the recording with a caregiver, older adult, family member, or friend who may benefit.
Continue Your Preparedness Planning
Emergency preparedness tools and resources from the Forum are available through the Golden Circle of Care Hub. Use them to turn what you learned into a practical plan for yourself and the people you care for.
Prepared Caregiver Corner™ is supported by the 2026 AARP Community Challenge, with gratitude to AARP and AARP Maryland for supporting caregiver education, emergency preparedness, and community resilience.
Preparedness Creates Peace of Mind
Emergencies may be unpredictable, but preparation gives caregivers and families a stronger foundation for responding when something happens. Start small, build your plan over time, practice it, and keep it current.
Designing Care with Heart. Creating Change with Purpose.
