Tip: Helping seniors breeze through a hurricane

It's the last week of summer, but don't think you no longer have to worry about hurricanes. The National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season won't end until Nov. 30.

While everyone should be prepared with the usual supplies - flashlights, bottled water, canned food - seniors should take extra steps. The American Red Cross advises putting together an emergency medical kit in a watertight bag that can be accessed if the lights go out or easily toted if you need to evacuate. Among the items you should have in the kit:

Prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs such as pain relievers and allergy medications

Extra sets of eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries

Medical insurance and Medicare cards

Medical equipment such as glucose monitors, and a list of devices such as pacemakers, including style and serial numbers

A list of chronic health problems

Contact information of doctors, relatives and friends