Power Outage Plan for Seniors With Medical Equipment (Including PSPS Shutoffs)

If your parent relies on an oxygen concentrator, CPAP, powered wheelchair, hospital bed, or refrigerated medications, a power outage can quickly become dangerous. Prepare by enrolling in your utility’s Medical Baseline program (which can bring advance outage notifications), keeping backup oxygen tanks and batteries, having a portable power source rated for the equipment, knowing where to go if the power stays off, and writing a simple plan with who helps and when. Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during high wildfire risk make this especially important in Southern California.

Southern California utilities may turn off power during high-wind, high-fire-risk conditions to prevent wildfires. These Public Safety Power Shutoffs can last a day or more. Earthquakes, heat waves and storms can also cause outages. For older adults who depend on electricity for their health, planning ahead is essential. A written power outage plan for seniors with medical equipment is essential in Southern California, where PSPS shutoffs and heat waves can cut power without much warning.

This guide explains utility programs, backup power options, and a step-by-step plan.

What equipment is at risk during an outage?

• Oxygen concentrator
  • Risk: Loss of oxygen
  • Backup to consider: Backup oxygen cylinders; portable concentrator with charged batteries
• CPAP or BiPAP
  • Risk: Breathing disruption at night
  • Backup to consider: Battery pack; ask the doctor about alternatives
• Powered wheelchair or scooter
  • Risk: Loss of mobility
  • Backup to consider: Keep charged; manual backup
• Electric hospital bed or lift
  • Risk: Stuck positions
  • Backup to consider: Manual crank or plan for repositioning
• Refrigerated medications (such as insulin)
  • Risk: Spoiled medication
  • Backup to consider: Cooler with ice packs; ask the pharmacist about storage
• Home dialysis, suction, feeding pumps
  • Risk: Medical emergency
  • Backup to consider: Talk with the medical team about a specific plan
• Phone and medical alert systems
  • Risk: Can’t call for help
  • Backup to consider: Charged power banks, a corded landline if available

What is the Medical Baseline program?

California’s major utilities offer Medical Baseline programs for customers who rely on powered medical devices or have certain medical conditions. Benefits can include a lower rate on part of the energy used and, importantly, additional notifications before planned shutoffs. Enrollment requires a form certified by a licensed medical practitioner. Contact your parent’s utility, such as SDG&E, Southern California Edison, or LADWP, to enroll.

Enrollment doesn’t guarantee power will stay on. It helps you get advance notice.

What backup power options are available?

• Portable power stations (battery units) sized for the device’s wattage and the hours needed
• Manufacturer batteries for oxygen concentrators and CPAP machines
• Generators, used outdoors only, far from windows, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
• Car chargers for small devices, if safe
• Programs for people with disabilities: California has programs that may provide backup batteries or support for eligible people with disabilities during shutoffs; ask your local independent living center or utility

Check your equipment’s power needs with the supplier before buying a backup.

Step-by-step power outage plan

1. List all powered equipment and how long your parent can safely go without each.
2. Enroll in Medical Baseline and sign up for utility outage alerts and county emergency alerts.
3. Get backups: oxygen tanks, batteries, a power station, a cooler and ice packs.
4. Charge everything when high winds or PSPS warnings are forecast.
5. Keep a flashlight, battery radio and power bank by the bed.
6. Plan where to go if the outage lasts longer than backups: a family member’s home, a hotel, or a community resource center.
7. Name who checks on your parent and who provides transportation.
8. Tell the oxygen supplier and home care agency about your plan.
9. Know when to call 911: breathing trouble, chest pain, or confusion.

What about heat or cold during outages?

Outages during heat waves are especially dangerous for seniors. Plan a cool place to go.

How can caregivers help during an outage?

Caregivers can help charge devices when warnings are issued, switch to backup oxygen as instructed, keep medications cool, check on your parent’s comfort and safety, and help move them to a safer location if needed. Share your plan with the agency in advance.

How do you make a list of all medical equipment that needs power?

The first step in a power outage plan is knowing exactly what equipment needs electricity and how long it can run without power.

• Walk through the home. List every device, such as oxygen concentrators, CPAP or BiPAP machines, nebulizers, power wheelchairs, hospital beds, lifts, and refrigerated medications.
• Note power needs. Record the wattage or battery life for each device. The manual or supplier can help.
• Identify the most critical devices. Decide which ones must keep running and which can wait.
• Keep supplier contact information. Write down phone numbers for equipment suppliers and doctors.

Share the list with family and caregivers so everyone knows what to prioritize during an outage.

How do you keep refrigerated medications safe during an outage?

Some medications, like insulin and certain injectables, need to stay cool. During an outage, keep the refrigerator closed as much as possible to hold the temperature. Have a cooler and ice packs ready if the outage lasts longer.

Ask the pharmacist how long each medication can safely be kept at room temperature and what to do if it gets too warm. A power outage plan seniors medical equipment should include a plan for medications, not only devices.

How do you check on a parent after an outage?

After power returns, check that all equipment is working properly and batteries are recharging. Replace any supplies used during the outage.

Check in with your parent about how they felt during the outage and whether anything in the plan needs to change. If your parent struggled, consider adding caregiver help during future planned outages or extreme weather.

How do you talk with the utility company about medical needs?

Utilities often have programs and notification lists for customers who rely on medical equipment. Call your parent’s utility to ask about programs that provide advance notice of planned outages, and whether your parent’s home can be flagged for medical needs.

Ask how they notify customers about planned shutoffs, such as public safety power shutoffs during high fire risk, and make sure the contact information on file reaches someone who will act. Being on these lists does not guarantee power will stay on, so a backup power plan is still essential.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Public Safety Power Shutoff? A planned outage utilities use during high wildfire risk to prevent power lines from starting fires.

How do I get notified before a PSPS if my parent uses oxygen? Enroll in the utility’s Medical Baseline program and sign up for outage alerts for your parent’s address.

How long will an oxygen concentrator run on battery? It depends on the model and settings. Check with the supplier and keep backup cylinders.

Is it safe to use a generator for medical equipment? Only outdoors, away from windows and doors, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

What should I do with insulin during a power outage? Keep it cool in a cooler with ice packs, and ask the pharmacist about safe storage.

Power outage plan for seniors with medical equipment: summary

A power outage plan for seniors with medical equipment protects parents who rely on oxygen, CPAP, powered beds, or refrigerated medications. Enroll in the Medical Baseline Program, keep backup oxygen tanks and batteries, and choose backup power for medical devices that matches the equipment’s wattage.

PSPS planning for seniors should include a written plan for a public safety power shutoff affecting elderly family members: who checks in, where your parent goes if power stays off, and how an oxygen concentrator power outage will be handled. Share the plan with caregivers and review it before fire season. See our 24-hour home care services and guide to in-home care after a hospital discharge.