Be ready for emergencies

Here are 10 ways to safeguard your life (and health) when an emergency or disaster strikes.

Natural disasters and other kinds of emergencies can strike anywhere and often with little warning. Yet, new data from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging show that most adults ages 50 to 80 are ill-prepared for severe weather, long-term power outages, or other emergency situations.

"Older adults should take the time to focus on how they will cope and manage with an emergency," says Dr. Howard LeWine, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and editor-in-chief of this newsletter. "A small effort now can protect their health and well-being when an emergency does occur."