Someone needs to start this new discussion thread, and so here goes. I'm a 68 year old who lives on an 87 acre working farm (though we call it a ranch) in Central Texas. From a preparedness standpoint, we're better off than most because we began preparing five years ago and have accomplished a lot. But there is still much to do and it may be that we will never get everything done. We are nearing self-sufficiency in food production (we have about eight dozen chickens and a small cow-calf operation plus extensive vegetable gardens). That's simply not practical for most readers, though there is much that can be done.

Seniors can indeed become pretty well prepared. A good starting point is a candid assessment of personal circumstances. For example, do you live in an owned home or a rented place? How much space do you have in which to grow food? Do local ordinances permit you to raise chickens? What about self-defense? in your jurisdiction are you allowed to defend yourself against intruders? These issues might become significant.

As a Texas Master Gardener, my passion is teaching people how to grow food in tiny spaces. Even if you have only a tiny back yard, you can still grow food using biointensive gardening techniques, containers and either square foot gardening or a keyhole garden or two. These take up little space. Many cities allow backyard chickens (though quite a number of them prohibit roosters). You don't need roosters to get eggs.

I highly recommend looking into keyhole gardens. They are very efficient and once constructed, do not require much bending over to tend. Alternatively, even a small back yard will accommodate one or more square foot garden frames. There is no point in repeating what has already been said on other discussion threads here — just review them for sound advice about setting up your own gardens.

Other good points that have already been raised on this site include keeping your car gas tank topped off, having a supply of necessities on hand and keeping your pantry stocked with food. Everyone should keep in mind that America's grocery supply system depends on 18 wheeler trucks and our grocery stores generally stock about three day's supply of food. It does not take much imagination to visualize a scenerio in which a fuel supply interruption stops the trucks from rolling for a time. People will begin to panic within a few days and civil unrest will follow. If you prepare, you'll have some options.

Even if you live in a small rented apartment you can grow food in containers on your patio or porch. Vegetables can be grown in tiny spaces. So don't be discouraged and give up even if you only have access to a small area in which to grow food. It can be done. Strive to become resourceful, learn all you can and learn from your mistakes.

One of the early purchases should be a standby water purification system, and a very good one is the Big Berkey. If municipal water supplies should become unsafe, you can filter your water and you will not become sick. I believe most people should have one of these on a shelf somewhere, ready to be pressed into service.

Advancing age does not mean loss of preparedness. At our age we generally have more time to think about these things and take sensible steps to prepare. So that's a start on this thread and I hope others will add to it for us seniors.