Plan continuity for mobility and medical equipment

Plan around the person, not an equipment category

Make one continuity plan with the person who uses the equipment and anyone they authorize to assist. Include powered and nonpowered equipment, supplies, communication methods, and daily assistance.

The person should describe what help is useful, how it should be provided, and which tasks require a trained caregiver or clinician. Do not infer those instructions from a diagnosis or device name.

Inventory equipment and supplies

For each item, record:

• plain-language name and purpose;
• manufacturer, model, and serial number when applicable;
• provider, home-care agency, supplier, repair service, and manufacturer contacts;
• instructions and what alarms or warnings mean;
• normal power source, charging time, and approved backup sources;
• batteries, cables, adapters, consumables, oxygen, sterile supplies, safe water, refrigeration, connectivity, or climate control it requires;
• how it must be carried, secured, kept dry, or protected from heat and cold;
• whether another person can operate or move it, and what instruction they need;
• any approved manual or nonpowered alternative; and
• the condition or time at which the person's clinical plan requires help, relocation, or emergency care.

Keep current instructions with the equipment. Put identification on portable equipment without displaying private medical details.

Identify every dependency

An item may keep working while one of its supporting systems fails. Check separately for:

• utility power and battery charging;
• fuel or a generator that is approved for the equipment;
• oxygen or another delivered supply;
• clean water or drainage;
• refrigeration or a controlled room temperature;
• cellular, internet, or telephone service;
• replacement parts and consumables;
• a caregiver, interpreter, or transfer assistant;
• an accessible route, elevator, ramp, or vehicle; and
• a destination able to support the equipment and person.

For powered medical equipment, ask the provider or manufacturer to confirm compatible backup power and the device-specific outage procedure. Record those instructions alongside the wider plan for supplies, assistance, and transport.

Build a support network

Ask specific people whether they agree to perform specific tasks. Record a primary and backup person where possible for:

• checking in;
• entering the home;
• transferring or assisting the person as they direct;
• gathering equipment and supplies;
• operating only the equipment they are trained and authorized to use;
• driving or arranging accessible transportation;
• communicating with providers or responders; and
• caring for a service animal or pet as planned.

Share only the information each person needs. Give support people the person's preferred communication method and exact instructions for assistance. A name in a contact list is not a confirmed commitment.

Practice the plan with the people who have agreed to help. Confirm that keys, building access, equipment instructions, and contact methods work.

Confirm transport and destinations

Determine whether the planned vehicle can carry the person, equipment, mobility aid, service animal, supplies, and another helper when needed. Check entrances, lifts, ramps, securement, boarding time, and the route from the home to the vehicle.

Contact the destination and confirm the capabilities that matter, such as:

• an accessible entrance, sleeping area, toilet, bathing area, and emergency exit;
• charging and approved power;
• refrigeration or safe water;
• oxygen, treatment, or medical support;
• a suitable bed, cot, or transfer arrangement;
• effective communication; and
• admission with the person's service animal.

Most people with disabilities do not require a medical shelter. The appropriate destination depends on the person's own care needs and the services available. A provider, emergency manager, or shelter operator can help determine whether a general shelter, medical shelter, care facility, or another destination fits the plan.

When disruption is expected

1. Contact the person and the support network in the agreed format.
2. Charge approved batteries and check required supplies.
3. Confirm that the destination and transportation are still operating.
4. Put equipment instructions, care information, medication information, supplies, and communication tools with the person.
5. Begin the backup or relocation plan at the trigger recorded by the person's provider or care plan.
6. Leave before power, supplies, transport availability, or caregiver coverage reaches the plan's minimum safe margin.

If officials order an evacuation, follow the order. A personal trigger may require leaving earlier; it must never be used to delay an official instruction.

When the plan is failing

Contact the relevant provider, supplier, utility, transport service, emergency manager, or shelter as soon as a dependency becomes uncertain.

Call emergency services when life-sustaining equipment fails, the person's clinical escalation condition is reached, safe assistance is unavailable in an immediate danger, or the person cannot reach the planned level of care.

Do not

• Do not assume that backup power alone resolves supplies, water, temperature, connectivity, assistance, or transport.
• Do not connect powered equipment to an unapproved battery, vehicle, adapter, power station, or generator.
• Do not move, lift, transfer, or operate equipment for someone without the person's instructions and any required training.
• Do not assume a helper, vehicle, utility program, shelter, or destination is available without confirmation.
• Do not separate a person from a mobility aid, communication device, service animal, or necessary equipment as an ordinary convenience.
• Do not store the only copy of the plan behind a network connection or account lock.

Next action

Choose one person and list the equipment, supplies, assistance, transport, and destination they require. Confirm one primary helper and one backup where possible, then practice the plan.