What senior citizens should do to prepare for SHTF

Our physical bodies and capabilities may decline with age, but that shouldn’t hold you or your loved ones back when SHTF. In a large-scale disaster scenario, everyone will be affected, young and old alike. Here is a quick guide to prepping for the elderly, because old age is not an excuse for lacking any valuable life-saving skills. (h/t to GrayWolfSurvival.com.)

You can never be too old to prep. Prepping is for all ages. You will simply need to adjust your survival techniques and strategies to those that are more suitable for your age range. This guide can also apply to anyone with medical conditions that may hamper their mobility. Anyone can get into prepping. It is only a matter of practice. (Related: More and more everyday people suddenly into ‘prepping’ for disaster.)

Join a group and become a valuable member

The image of the “lone wolf” might sound appealing to some, but realistically, it is more practical to join a group of like-minded individuals. If you are a senior citizen, you can provide wisdom from your own life experiences, while younger members of the team can handle the more physical requirements of survival, such as hunting or foraging.

Make yourself valuable to the group by showing them that you can still be a productive member, despite your limitations. You can take stock of your team’s inventory. If you can find out what food they have in storage or are capable of growing, you can learn how to cook meals using these ingredients.

Use whatever skills you have and be open to learning even more. You can learn how to repair simple objects. Sewing is a basic skill that can come in handy. If there are any small children in the group, you can volunteer to watch over them. You don’t have to wait for an emergency to find your own niche in a group. Even before SHTF, find a group, whether they be friends, family, or kind strangers, and try to help them with the little things.

Try to stay in shape

Senior citizens are often past their physical prime. That doesn’t mean you can’t stay in shape. Regular exercise and a well-balanced diet can keep you healthy, even in your daily life. Tai chi is a good form of exercise for the elderly to improve balance and coordination. If you are fit enough to keep up with your group, you won’t be a liability when SHTF. Having skills in self-defense, first aid, or car repair can make you useful to your group, but it is even better if you are fit enough to demonstrate these skills.

Make sure you get proper nutrition

This applies to everyone in the group, not only for the elderly. Think of food not just as something you need to survive, but also as a form of preventive medicine. Eating the right food can help mitigate any chronic health conditions you might have. Getting proper nutrition is also a great way to maintain a healthy weight. It is important to eat healthy and get an adequate supply of calories daily.

Use natural remedies as alternative medicines

Senior citizens often rely on medications for their health maintenance. However, if SHTF, your access to these medications might suddenly become highly limited. Fortunately, you can use herbal remedies as suitable alternatives for treating your chronic health conditions. Familiarize yourself with natural remedies and herbs that can treat the same problems that your medications do. If it is possible, try to grow these plants at home.  That way, you can have your own supply of herbs in case of emergencies.

If you want to learn more about preparedness techniques for all ages, you can read more articles by going to Preparedness.news.

Sources include:

GrayWolfSurvival.com

ThePrepperJournal.com