Most emergencies don’t start with sirens; they come quietly.

A light goes out. The floor feels slippery. The phone won’t charge. And suddenly, a small problem turns into a big one.

If you’re thinking what you’d actually do in that moment, we are here to help you.

This blog walks you through the real emergencies Calgary seniors face every day and the simple steps that make all the difference when things don’t go as planned.

It’s the Small Emergencies That Catch Seniors Off Guard

For seniors, even small disruptions can turn into serious emergencies. A short power outage can shut down oxygen machines or stairlifts. A missed dose of medication can trigger a health crisis. A fall at home can leave someone waiting hours for help.

In Calgary, the risks are higher because of our climate and environment: long cold snaps, icy sidewalks, sudden heat waves, hailstorms, and even wildfires. Without a plan, these situations can quickly threaten a senior’s safety and independence.

Emergency preparedness gives seniors the tools and support to face these challenges confidently, instead of being caught off guard.

Top 11 Everyday Emergencies Calgary Seniors Face

Emergencies for seniors don’t always arrive in the form of city-wide disasters. More often, it’s the everyday events like weather extremes, power failures, or even a simple fall that carry the greatest risks. 

For older adults, these situations can increase emergencies quickly, threatening health, safety, and independence. Staying socially connected also plays a big role. Seniors who keep in touch with neighbors, friends, or caregivers can get help faster when something unexpected happens.

1. Wildfire Evacuations and Sudden Displacement

Wildfires in Alberta can spread with little warning, and Calgary has faced smoky skies and nearby evacuations in recent years. For seniors living in houses, apartments, or condos, an emergency alert could mean leaving home within minutes.

The challenge is that older adults often rely on medications, mobility aids, or oxygen machines, things that are not easy to grab in a rush. On top of that, the stress of leaving familiar surroundings can be overwhelming.

What actually works:

  • Prepare your own go-bag: Pack 3 days of medications, a medication list, ID, glasses, hearing aid batteries, chargers, and a copy of emergency contacts. Keep it in an easy-to-grab place near the door.
  • Write down your plan: Tape a copy inside your front door so that family, neighbors, or even emergency crews can see who to call and what you need.
  • Confirm two reliable helpers: Don’t just “ask” someone vaguely. Give at least two trusted people a house key, your plan, and clear permission to pick you up if an evacuation happens.
  • Know official evacuation points: In Calgary, reception centers are set up by the City. If no one can reach you, emergency services can bring you there. You can use this as your backup.
  • Sign up for alerts: Make sure your phone is able to receive Alberta’s Alert Ready notifications and consider a battery-powered radio as a backup.

2. Extreme Cold Snaps and Icy Sidewalks

Calgary winters are no joke. When temperatures drop below –20°C, even a quick step outside can turn risky. Seniors are especially vulnerable; sometimes icy sidewalks can lead to serious falls, while a furnace breakdown during a cold snap can leave a home dangerously cold within hours. Hypothermia sets in fast for older adults, especially if mobility issues limit movement.

What actually works:

  • Arrange snow and ice clearing in advance. Relying on doing it yourself is unsafe; set up help from family, neighbors, or a professional service before winter.
  • Stay inside during extreme cold warnings. If you must go out, wear boots with non-slip soles, use a cane with an ice tip, and carry a charged cell phone.
  • Have a backup heat source. Keep extra blankets, warm clothing layers, and a safe electric heater. Store them in an easy-to-access spot.
  • Keep emergency contacts handy. Save the number of a furnace repair service and a trusted neighbor in both your phone and on paper.

3. Extreme Heat

Heat waves are becoming more common in Calgary summers. For seniors, even short exposure to high temperatures indoors can cause dizziness, dehydration, or heatstroke. Unlike younger people, older adults may not feel thirsty until it’s too late. In extreme cases, heatstroke can be fatal.

What actually works:

  • Hydration first. Sip water throughout the day, don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Keep a filled water bottle nearby at all times.
  • Cool your living space. Use fans, keep curtains closed during the day, and open windows at night if it’s safe to do so.
  • Know where to cool down. Identify the closest cooling center, library, or shopping mall where you can go if your home becomes unsafe.
  • Daily check-ins. Ask family or caregivers to call or visit during heat warnings. If you live alone, this step is non-negotiable.
  • Quick cool-down tricks. Keep a spray bottle with water to mist your face and arms, or place a cool, damp cloth on your neck.

4. Hail Storms

Calgary is known as the hailstorm capital of Canada. A severe storm can smash windows, damage roofs, and destroy vehicles. For seniors, the danger is not only from the hail itself but also from being stranded without safe transportation or with a damaged home.

What actually works:

  • Stay indoors during storm warnings. Don’t try to run errands or go for walks if hail is forecast.
  • Protect mobility aids and vehicles. If you use a scooter or wheelchair stored outdoors, cover it with a waterproof, padded tarp before storms arrive.
  • Keep an emergency repair contact list. Know who to call for urgent home repairs (roof, windows) and vehicle service.
  • Have a backup transport plan. If your car is damaged, make sure you know who to call for a ride: family, neighbor, taxi, or caregiver.

5. Locked In, Locked Out, or Failed Security Systems

It’s more common than people think: seniors get trapped inside their home because a door jams, a garage door opener fails, or a power lock won’t work. On the flip side, being locked out without access to medications or mobility aids inside can also be dangerous. For older adults living alone, this quickly becomes an emergency.

What actually works:

  • Spare keys with trusted people. Give a copy to at least one neighbor and one family member. This is a lifesaver in lockout situations.
  • Install a lockbox. A small coded lockbox outside your home lets caregivers, family, or even emergency responders access a spare key.
  • Know manual overrides. Learn how to manually release electric garage doors or smart locks before a crisis happens.
  • Keep an emergency phone nearby. If trapped inside, a charged cell phone or landline close to where you spend time ensures you can call for help.

6. Power Outages Affecting Vital Devices

Power failures can happen anytime, especially during Calgary’s winter storms or heat waves. For most people, it’s just an inconvenience. But for seniors who rely on oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, stairlifts, or powered wheelchairs, losing power is an immediate threat. Even a few hours without electricity can cut off mobility or medical support.

What actually works:

  • Backup power for essential devices. Ask your healthcare provider or equipment supplier about battery backups or portable power packs for oxygen and mobility devices. Test them monthly.
  • Register as a priority customer. Contact your utility company and let them know you rely on medical equipment; they will flag your address for quicker power restoration.
  • Keep a light and phone handy. Store flashlights and a fully charged power bank where you can reach them easily, not in a drawer across the room.
  • Have a fallback plan. Identify a friend, family member, or care provider who can take you somewhere safe if a long outage hits.

7. Medication or Pharmacy Emergencies

Missing medication for even a day can lead to serious complications, from blood pressure spikes to breathing problems. Seniors often face issues like running out of refills on weekends, pharmacy closures, or delayed deliveries during storms. A small disruption can turn into a full-blown health emergency.

What actually works:

  • Keep a 3–5 day buffer of all critical medications. Refill prescriptions early, not when the last pill is gone.
  • Use auto-refill services. Most Calgary pharmacies can automatically refill and deliver your prescriptions. Set this up once and let it run.
  • Have a written medication list. Include dosages, prescribing doctors, and pharmacy contacts. Keep one in your wallet and another on your fridge.
  • Identify a backup pharmacy. Know where else you can go if your regular one is closed or out of stock.

8. When You Fell and No One’s Around

One of the most common and dangerous emergencies for older adults is a fall. It can happen in seconds, stepping out of the shower, reaching for a cupboard, or tripping on a rug. The real danger isn’t just the injury itself; it’s being unable to get up or reach the phone, sometimes for hours.

What actually works:

  • Install grab bars and non-slip mats. Bathrooms, kitchens, and stairways are priority zones.
  • Keep a phone or wearable alert nearby. Medical alert pendants or smartwatches with fall detection can automatically call for help.
  • Remove trip hazards. Secure loose rugs, clear clutter, and keep walkways well-lit.
  • Set a check-in routine. A daily call from family, neighbor, or caregiver ensures someone notices quickly if you don’t answer.

9. Medical Device or Assistive Equipment Failure

A wheelchair that won’t move, a walker with a broken leg, or a hearing aid that stops working can turn a normal day into a crisis. When equipment fails, seniors may be stranded, unable to communicate, or even miss medical appointments.

What actually works:

  • Inspect equipment weekly. Check tires, brakes, and batteries on wheelchairs or scooters. Replace hearing aid batteries on a schedule, not when they die.
  • Keep small repair tools or kits. Many mobility aids come with simple tools for tightening or quick fixes.
  • Have backup options. Ask your supplier or local health unit about loaner devices you can borrow during repairs.
  • Know your repair contacts. Keep the phone numbers of your equipment provider, a local repair technician, and your caregiver next to your phone.

10. Transportation and Mobility Lift Failures

Missing a bus, getting stuck during a snowstorm, or having your stairlift stop working can leave a senior isolated and anxious. In Calgary’s long winters, this can mean being stranded in freezing conditions or confined to one floor of your home.

What actually works:

  • Always have a plan B for rides. Keep contact numbers for a taxi company, rideshare app, or caregiver who can provide emergency transport.
  • Service your mobility lift regularly. Schedule professional maintenance at least once a year and test safety features monthly.
  • Keep essentials on every floor. If a lift fails, you should still have access to water, medications, and a phone.
  • Carry a small emergency card. Include your address, medical info, and emergency contacts; helpful if stranded away from home.

11. Social and Emotional Emergencies

Not every emergency is physical. Loneliness, anxiety, or caregiver cancellations can leave seniors distressed, especially those living alone. Emotional crises can lead to skipped meals, missed medications, or isolation that worsens health problems.

What actually works:

  • Build a support circle. Stay connected with neighbors, friends, or local senior groups. Even one trusted contact makes a huge difference.
  • Use community resources. In Calgary, call 211 Alberta for community services or the Distress Center (403-266-4357) for emotional support anytime.
  • Maintain routine check-ins. A daily call or text from a loved one isn’t just comforting; it’s a safety measure.
  • Consider professional support. Home-care providers can check in regularly, help with daily tasks, and notice early signs of emotional decline.

Practical Preparedness Tips Every Calgary Senior Should Know

Keep emergency numbers visible:

  1. 911: Emergencies (police, fire, ambulance)
  2. 311: City of Calgary services (non-emergency issues like roads, snow removal, building problems)
  3. 211 Alberta: Community and social supports
  4. Distress Centre Calgary: 403-266-4357 (24/7 emotional support line)
  5. Local pharmacy and family doctor numbers are posted near your main phone

Use helpful apps and tools:

  1. Alertable App: Real-time local emergency alerts in Alberta
  2. Alberta Emergency Alerts: Government notifications for fires, weather, and evacuations
  3. SaigeCare Check-In or similar care apps: Track wellness visits or caregiver check-ins
  4. Find My Phone / Life360: Location sharing for family safety

Create an emergency info sheet:

  1. Name, address, medical conditions, allergies, medications, doctor’s contact, and two emergency contacts
  2. Place a printed copy on your fridge and another in your wallet

Install a key lockbox or share a spare key with someone you trust, for quick help if you can’t reach the door.

Set daily check-ins: one scheduled call or text with a neighbor, friend, or family member.

Label and store important items (such as medications, glasses, hearing aids, and chargers) in one easy-to-access location.

Keep two flashlights and a power bank charged and close to where you sit or sleep.

Save emergency contacts in your phone under “ICE” (In Case of Emergency), responders look for that.

Keep written instructions near critical devices (oxygen, CPAP, stairlift) for quick troubleshooting.

Store 3–5 days of medications and a copy of your prescriptions in a waterproof bag.

Sign up for automated refill or delivery with your pharmacy, no last-minute medication runs.

Have two ways to contact help: phone + radio or phone + neighbor. Never rely on one.

Prepare seasonally:

  1. Winter: safe space heater, non-slip boots, backup blanket
  2. Summer: water bottles, fan, cool cloth
  3. Storms: plastic covers for mobility aids, battery-powered light

Create a simple home safety map: mark exits, flashlights, and equipment locations for you or responders.

Join a local senior network or community group: regular contact reduces risks of unnoticed emergencies.

Stay alert and informed: Follow the City of Calgary Emergency Management page or listen to CBC Radio 99.1 FM during local alerts.

Real Incident: When an Elevator Breakdown Becomes an Emergency

It doesn’t always take a natural disaster to trap someone in danger. In Calgary, several seniors have faced real emergencies simply because their building’s elevator broke down.

One well-known case involved an 82-year-old woman who couldn’t leave her apartment for over three weeks after the only elevator in her building stopped working. She missed medical appointments, couldn’t shop for groceries, and was even unable to visit her husband in hospice before he passed away. 

Another group of seniors in a different Calgary complex spent nearly two weeks confined to their apartments after an elevator outage, unable to manage stairs safely, and some went without fresh food or medication.

For younger people, a broken elevator is an inconvenience. For seniors, it can become isolation, malnutrition, or a health emergency. It’s a serious reminder that preparedness is not only about fires or floods, it’s also about the systems we depend on every day.

If You’re Stuck Inside an Elevator

  • Stay calm.
  • Use the emergency call button. Hold it until you get a response.
  • If you have a phone, call 911 and give your exact location.
  • Don’t try to force the doors or climb out; wait for trained help.
  • If communication fails, knock, call out, or use a whistle to get attention.

If the Elevator in Your Building Stops Working

  • Tell family or neighbors immediately so someone can check in daily.
  • Call 311 to report accessibility or safety concerns.
  • Ask your building manager for written updates on repair timelines.
  • Keep water, food, medication, and a phone charger where you can reach them easily.
  • If you can’t go out, arrange grocery or prescription delivery or call a home-care provider for temporary support.

Key point: A broken elevator can isolate seniors completely. Having people who can check on you and a way to get essentials delivered makes the difference.

Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

Emergencies don’t wait for the perfect moment; they happen during a regular day. Maybe the power goes out, the weather turns bad, or you just can’t reach someone when you need help. These moments can be serious if there’s no plan.

Emergency preparedness for seniors simply means being ready for the small things that can go wrong. Keep your essentials where you can reach them, have a list of who to call, and make sure someone checks in regularly. That’s what really works.

If you live in Calgary and want help putting that plan in place, SaigeCare can support you. Our local RN-managed team helps with wellness checks, medications, and day-to-day care, so you’re never left without help when it matters.

👉 Start your safety plan today

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FAQs About Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults

1. What emergency supplies are necessary for elderly people?

Elderly people should keep essentials like water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, a first-aid kit, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Include medications, hearing aid batteries, glasses, important documents, and any daily medical supplies in an easy-to-reach emergency kit.

2. How can I prepare if I plan to care for my elderly parent at home?

Start by making your home safe, with ramps, grab bars, and accessible bathrooms. Keep medical supplies, medications, and an emergency contact list ready. Arrange part-time or on-call nursing support for backup during power outages or illness.

3. How often should I review my emergency plan?

Check your supplies, medications, and contact list every six months. Update phone numbers and refill your go-bag with current medications or seasonal essentials before winter and summer.

4. How should seniors or people with disabilities prepare differently for emergencies?

Plan around mobility and health needs. Keep medical supplies, spare batteries for devices, and medications in your go-bag. Make sure someone nearby knows how to assist or transport you if needed.

5. Is a crank radio still worth having today?

Yes. During power outages or cell service failures, a hand-crank or battery-powered radio is one of the few reliable ways to get local updates and emergency instructions.

6. When should you evacuate instead of staying home?

If local authorities issue evacuation orders, or if your home loses power, heat, or running water for more than a day, and it’s unsafe to stay, leave early, before roads or elevators become inaccessible.