Practical Prepping Podcast: Prepping for the Inevitable; How to Prepare as We Get Older

Hosts: Mark & Krista Lawley
Date: December 29, 2025
Episode: 537

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on practical prepping for seniors—how preparedness strategies must adapt as we age. Mark and Krista discuss the unique challenges older adults face, from reduced strength and mobility to managing medications and increasing the need for support networks. Practical, realistic solutions are emphasized, focusing on adapting plans, gear, and attitudes to fit the “life you’re actually living.” The hosts aim to demystify prepping for older listeners and their families, highlighting adjustments anyone can make to improve resilience at any stage in life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rethinking Preparedness as We Age

• Aging changes our abilities: Physical strength, mobility, stamina, and sometimes cognitive function may decline. Plans should reflect your capabilities on a “worst day,” not just your best.
  • Krista (00:41): “The question isn’t can I still do it? The question is, can I do this on my worst day—injured, tired, or stressed?”
• Mindset shift: Don’t aim for heroics—risk tolerance should decrease with age, and planning for help is part of preparedness.
  • Krista (02:57): “As your independence shifts, people become the prep. Planning for help is part of preparedness.”

2. Modifying Gear & Home for Accessibility

• Make everything lighter and easier:
  • Downsize water containers (1–2.5 gallons instead of 5–7) for manageable loads (Mark & Krista, 03:20–03:48).
  • Opt for wheeled carts/totes over duffel bags for emergency supplies (Krista, 03:53; Mark, 03:59).
  • Keep go-bags lightweight and focused; prioritize “carryable” over “fully stocked.”
• Home arrangement matters:
  • Keep essentials on the main level (water, meds, foods, documents, etc.).
  • Store heavier items at waist height.
  • Practice “bedside readiness”—shoes and a headlamp by the bed for nighttime emergencies (Mark, 04:07–04:52).
• Choose arthritis- and low-grip–friendly tools:
  • Use large switches, easy-to-grip handles, and jar openers. Practice using devices with realistic limitations.
    • Krista (05:26): “Have a jar opener... it’s good to have one of those and practice with your real limitations.”

3. Medical & Health Preparedness

• Medication planning:

  • Maintain a current list of all meds and dosages (prescription, OTC, supplements).
  • Build a backup supply by refilling meds early (about a week to 10 days ahead of schedule, then repeat).
    • Mark (07:01): “Simply by refilling a week to 10 days ahead... I’ve built up a stock.”
  • Plan for refrigerated meds—have a cooler, thermometer, and power backup for outages.
  • Back up power for critical medical equipment (e.g., CPAP); prioritize what gets power in an emergency (Mark, 07:39–08:18).

• Medical supplies:

  • Stock extra glasses, contact lenses, batteries, denture supplies, etc.
  • Prepare a “medical grab pouch” with meds, a list of conditions/allergies, and key documents.

• Mobility supports:

  • Keep walkers/canes accessible and have extras if needed.
  • Build plans around real mobility pace and higher needs for rest (Krista & Mark, 10:08–10:30).

• Injury prevention and first aid:

  • Upgraded first-aid kits for falls, burns, cuts, and infection.
  • Home safety: grab bars, non-slip mats, secure rugs, clear pathways, and adequate lighting (including night lights that operate during power outages and motion-activated night lights, 11:55–12:26).

4. Environmental and Weather Considerations

• Older adults are vulnerable to temperature extremes:
  • Heat plan: Adjust outdoor times, use shade, cooling towels/hats, battery fans, hydrate, and include electrolyte packets (Mark, 12:27–13:31).
  • Cold plan: Dress in layers, use warm bedding, stay indoors during extremes, factor in medication side effects that may increase temperature sensitivity.

5. Evacuation, Support Networks, and Transportation

• Evacuation realities:
  • Driving may not be safe or possible—prearrange rides, know when to leave early (Krista, 14:56–15:20).
  • Plan who can help with heavy tasks—have a call list of helpers and trusted contractors.
    • Mark (15:20): “The day will come when that will get passed down to grandsons. Keep a call list of those helpers.”

6. Food, Diet, and Nutrition

• Tailor food storage to special dietary needs:
  • Consider diabetes, low sodium, gluten-free, or renal diets.
  • Choose foods that are easy to open, prepare, chew, and fit medical guidelines (Krista & Mark, 16:06–16:49).
  • Caution with MREs—they tend to be high in sodium/calories.

7. Cognitive and Mental Health

• Decision fatigue & cognition:

  • High-stress situations cause mental overload; simplify decision-making.
  • Label bins, create one-page checklists, and minimize choices (Mark & Krista, 16:50–17:35).
    • Krista (17:24): “Checklists keep you from having to make decisions.”

• Social isolation:

  • Support networks can become thin; establish formal check-in systems (e.g., neighbors verifying activity through visual cues like a raised window blind, 17:59–18:46).

• Caregiving:

  • Plans must include both the caregiver and care recipient for meds, mobility, and evacuation timing (Mark, 18:50–19:18).

8. Legal & Documentation

• Important paperwork:
  • Keep wills, advanced medical directives, DNR orders, power of attorney, and emergency contacts accessible (in paper and digital form).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The question isn’t can I still do it? The question is, can I do this on my worst day—injured, tired, or stressed?”
  – Krista (00:41)
• “As your independence shifts, people become the prep. Planning for help is part of preparedness.”
  – Krista (02:57)
• “Maybe we go to a two and a half gallon container that we can actually lift as we get older.”
  – Mark (03:20)
• “You want to keep your essentials on the main living level...store heavier items at more of a waist high type of height.”
  – Mark (04:07)
• “Practice with your real limitations. Set up your stove, your generator and your battery... How much harder will this be for me five or ten years from now?”
  – Krista (05:30)
• “I put [refill] on my calendar...Simply by doing that I’ve built up a stock.”
  – Mark (07:01)
• “Her highest priority is my CPAP. She would give up the freezer over the CPAP because insurance would replace the things in the freezer.”
  – Mark (07:45)
• “The older you get, the slower the pace and the more the need for rest.”
  – Mark (10:26)
• “Night lights...come on when the power goes off. So you can see when you’re walking.”
  – Krista (11:58)
• “If you don’t see my blind raised for by 8 o’clock, call somebody.”
  – Mark (17:59)
• “Your plan has to cover two people. It has to cover you and that person.”
  – Mark (19:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Aging and Prepping Needs (00:01–01:03)
• Modifying Gear & Home: Water, Bags, Tools (03:09–05:26)
• Medical Preparedness: Meds, Equipment, Mobility (06:12–10:08)
• Injury, Safety, & Environmental Concerns (10:35–13:31)
• Evacuation & Support Networks (14:56–15:20)
• Dietary Considerations (16:06–16:49)
• Cognitive Stress & Social Isolation (16:49–18:49)
• Caregiving & Legal Documents (18:50–20:13)

Final Thoughts

Mark and Krista wrap up by reaffirming the importance of prepping for the life you have now, not the one you had 20 years ago, stressing practical steps, communication, and proactive planning for health, safety, and community support. The episode is compassionate, straightforward, and thoroughly focused on actionable advice for seniors and those who care for them.

“Stuff happens. Stay prepared.”
– Krista (20:21)