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Safe at Home: Preparing Older Adults for Weather Emergencies

Safe at Home is a one-year pilot initiative of Hope for Creation designed to help medically vulnerable and homebound older adults in Kalamazoo County prepare for and safely navigate extreme heat, severe storms, and prolonged power outages.

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Community Need

Climate change is increasing risks from extreme heat, severe storms, and prolonged power outages. Michigan has become warmer and wetter, with average annual temperatures increasing by approximately 2–3°F and average rainfall increasing by about five inches. A 2025 University of Michigan poll found that 67% of Michiganders age 50 and older experienced an extreme weather event in the previous two years, while 24% experienced a prolonged power outage—twice the rate reported by older adults nationally.

Who It Serves

Safe at Home will serve older adults who are medically vulnerable, homebound, living alone, or have limited income or mobility can face greater challenges preparing for and responding to emergencies. These risks can be compounded for renters, people with disabilities, non-English speakers, and others who have historically faced barriers to community resources. Hope for Creation will work through trusted community partners to reach those most likely to experience these barriers, while listening to participants and caregivers to identify needs and adapt the program.

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Project Components

  • Individual emergency preparedness assessments and personalized emergency plans

  • Emergency supplies, including lanterns, fans, batteries, and phone-charging packs

  • A Battery Lending Program with 8–10 portable power stations for essential medical equipment

  • Medication cooling planning, supplies, and education

  • Emergency food and drinking water

  • Volunteer wellness checks and caregiver support during qualifying emergencies

  • Transportation assistance to cooling centers or other safe locations when needed

  • Climate resilience education for participants, caregivers, volunteers, and faith communities

Get Involved

  • Connect us with your faith community

  • Refer an elderly senior who could benefit from the program

  • Volunteer to assist with wellness-check calls during weather emergencies

  • Volunteer to help deliver emergency supplies

  • Volunteer to help transport seniors to cooling centers

  • Donate to support the program

  • Volunteer training provided

  • Bilingual volunteers neededd

Supportive Hands
To learn more, volunteer, or refer an older adult, please fill out the contact form below and someone will reach out to you within a week.  
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