Here are two approaches in other states to disaster preparedness for kūpuna, one by a government association and the other by a nonprofit that works with county emergency authorities. Of note: Both use a list of elderly residents as well as follow-up contacts after a disaster.

The Rogue Valley Council of Governments in southwest Oregon partnered with its senior and disability services department to create a registry of residents who might need help in a disaster. 

• The registry, which includes residents of state-licensed facilities for the elderly as well as those who live independently, contains information such as whether people use medical devices or are disabled in some manner. 
• The data is geocoded and shared with emergency service agencies and 911. 
• In disasters, government staff and volunteers contact people in the registry to check on them and make sure they are OK.

The nonprofit Senior Friendship Centers in southwest Florida uses an approach it terms BEST, meaning Before the storm, Emergency checks, Supplies, and Tailoring services to seniors.

• Before storms, the nonprofit provides shelf-stable meals, batteries and flashlights, and safety kits to all of its 12,000 members.
• It offers disaster preparedness workshops, delivering the materials to homebound seniors who can’t attend. 
• It works with county emergency agencies to make sure they know about residents with special needs, such as those who have Alzheimer’s, need oxygen or are on dialysis. 
• During and after storms, Senior Friendship Centers staff call their members to make sure they’re OK and have what they need, whether it’s food, tarpaulins or cleaning supplies.