Creating a Real Backup Plan with My Parents

Last year, I moved back to my hometown so I could be closer to my parents. As I've gotten older, I've taken on more of a caregiving role in our family. I manage appointments, drive them to the doctor, sort out insurance, and make sure they get their daily walks in. I'm also the one they call whenever they need help. It actually reminds me of when I was a kid and would fill out school forms on my own, then just tell my parents where to sign when I was done.

As the oldest daughter in an immigrant family, I joke that I handle most of the responsibilities for my parents, not just the medical ones. I plan their trips, bring groceries, and remind them to eat healthy. I translate, look up information so they understand their choices, and help them make decisions. Sometimes I complain about being the oldest and having so much to do, but I'm glad I can help. My parents worked hard to give me a good life, and now I want to do the same for them. Still, I know I can't do everything. I need to find a balance between helping my parents and giving them the right tools to take care of themselves, especially in the case of an emergency.

It's no secret that California's wildfires pose risks, which is why Public Safety Power Shutoffs may be used during high fire-risk weather to help keep communities safe. But what many people don't consider are the extra hurdles that older adults and people who don't speak English as their first language face when preparing for wild res and shutoffs. I've thought a lot about my parents' emergency plan. Some might call me an overthinker, which I am, but I just like to be ready. If you asked my parents about their plan, they'd probably say, "Call Christy." But what if I'm not available?

My parents immigrated to the United States more than 30 years ago, and even though they speak English, they're still more comfortable using their native language, especially when things get complicated. So, any emergency plan we make needs to t how they actually respond in a crisis.

I recently started looking into what help is out there for families like mine and found more than I expected, especially through PG&E's website. One of the easiest is 211, a free phone line you can call anytime to get connected with local help, available in many languages, including Mandarin. For my parents, that's what matters most: a real person they can reach in the language they're most comfortable in, even if I can't answer the phone.

I also found out that PG&E has Self-Identified Vulnerable Program, which you can sign up for yourself if your health or safety might be at risk during a power outage. There's no income requirement, and you don't have to t into a specific group. It's comforting to know my loved ones have options, even if I'm not the one setting everything up.

Learning about these resources also made me consider what it means to be "prepared." I usually think about preparedness in terms of tangible things, whether that's flashlights, an emergency bag for an earthquake, or spare medications on hand. But for our case, there's more to it than that; I want to know that the people I love have someone to call, especially when I'm not around to help translate or break down information for them.

My parents, like many immigrants in our community, value being independent. They've built their lives through hard work and courage. Still, I think it's important for us to ask for help and learn about the resources we have. My parents' emergency plan can't just be to call me. They can call me first, but they also need a backup plan. I feel better knowing there's extra support and that my parents have a way to get help when they need it. If you're in a similar situation, you don't have to wait for an emergency. 

About the author

Christy Wang is a first-generation Chinese American based in the Bay Area who shares stories about cooking, travel, family and culture, often drawing on her close relationship with her parents and her role in helping them live their best and safest lives.