Both of my sons-in-law say that if there is a disaster they will go stay with my 90-year old mother. She WILL survive! There are skills and attitudes that the old folks have that we younger ones do not possess.
During the ice storm of 2009 when all were without power for seven to twenty days I learned a lot. First if the outage/disaster/revolution happens in cold weather the best thing you can have to keep the youngsters alive and warm is a bunch of quilts. Blankets are fine but nothing beats a quilt. House can be dark with no generator running and the people inside will be warm in their beds. Second, we keep several cases of bottled water stored in the garage. Third, gasoline and kerosene are precious. Keep your cans full. Fourth, keep your pantry stocked with canned goods and staples.
You will survive.
We went through the same ice storm, and I can honestly say that experiencing a "disaster" in a rural area vs. a city/suburban area would be vastly different.
In the ice storm event, travel was difficult/impossible via vehicle, unless you were carrying a chainsaw and a lot for fuel for the first few days. Of course, the weather improved after just a few days, but still...
I can't improve on what has been offered in terms of advice on prepping, other than offer my own comments. I found one of the biggest issues to be boredom. In the case where weather is unsuitable to be outside, there is a great need for some form of entertainment among the occupants of a dwelling. I think someone has already mentioned books and board games, and I would second that notion.
One other thing I would mention, that I feel goes along with this thread, and I haven't seen yet (I apologize if I have overlooked it) - personal health/physical fitness. Having food and tools is essential, but in a true disaster, the physical toll on your body will likely be greater than normal. Now I'm not saying everyone should try to be a lean, mean, survival machine - after all, a little extra body fat might come in handy! But in general, engaging in routine cardio, aerobics, weight training, etc. and trying to shed the extra pounds will not only make you feel better in day-to-day life, but be handy in difficult times. (I say all of the preceding as a former fat-boy that couldn't run across the living room without taking a break on the ottoman). I am by no means an outstanding physical specimen now, but am much better than I used to be.
Similarly, in this day and age, many disasters (hurricanes, snow storms, etc.) are not surprises, while others (earthquakes, tornadoes) can come from nowhere. It can't hurt to pay attention to the 7-10 day forecast and as forewarned as possible for changes in the weather, so one can make some last-minute preparations for particular disasters.
Good luck and take care.
Why do all alien abductions involve probing rather than dissection? Maybe the galaxy police have rules for catch and release? 
