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AARP Offers Tips to Help Older Americans Prepare for Emergencies
AARP participates in National Preparedness Month / News Release
September 6, 2006
It is not hard to recall the searing images of older Americans and those with disabilities during Hurricane Katrina last summer. AARP today takes part in National Preparedness Month by arming older adults with tips and resources that will help them prepare for future disaster scenarios.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates more than 84 million Americans are over age 50 and more than 54 million Americans have disabilities. According to a survey conducted for AARP by Harris Interactive, roughly 13 million people age 50 and older say they will need help to evacuate in a natural disaster—and about half of these individuals will require help from someone outside of their household. Further, the report found that older adults face challenges that are different from the rest of the adult population, such as needing assistance with activities of daily living, continuous health support, life support, significant nursing care, custodial care or post-operative skilled care.
AARP has joined forces with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the American Red Cross (ARC), the National Organization on Disability (NOD) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to encourage older Americans and individuals with disabilities to prepare for emergencies. As part of DHS’s Ready Campaign, these organizations have created two brochures that offer older adults and disabled Americans simple preparedness steps they can adopt before emergencies occur. In addition, the NFPA today released its new Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities.
“In Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina, roughly 71 percent of the victims were older than 60 and 47 percent were over the age of 75. There is truly a need to plan and accommodate all Americans during emergencies, particularly older Americans,” said AARP’s Group Executive Officer, Christopher Hansen.
These new tools were announced by Homeland’s Security’s Under Secretary for Preparedness George Foresman at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC. The announcement included remarks by senior officials of AARP, ARC, NOD and NFPA, as well as an interactive presentation for older and disabled Washingtonians by local first responders.
The Ready brochures encourage all Americans to prepare an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan and be informed about the types of emergencies that can occur and the appropriate responses.
The new materials, written specifically for older adults and those with special needs, recommend adding medicines, medical records, glasses, hearing aids and other special medical equipment, to their basic emergency supply kits. Further, it is important that individuals develop an emergency plan tailored to their unique needs and a personal support network, which they can call upon in the event of an emergency. In addition, the pieces urge people to be aware of the types of emergencies that can happen where they live and the local plans in place in their communities.
AARP has made significant efforts to address the needs of older adults in preparing for and recovering from disasters since the massive damage caused by last year’s hurricanes. In addition to the co-branded Ready brochures announced today, AARP’s Foundation has taken important steps to address preparedness and response, including the following:
- Established the AARP Foundation Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. To date, the fund has sent more than 1.7 million dollars to organizations providing direct recovery assistance to older hurricane survivors.
- Supported a newly developed and published report by Baylor College of Medicine entitled, “Recommendations for Best Practices in the Management of Elderly Disaster Victims,” focusing on best practices in helping older Americans in disasters.
- Coordinating volunteers through the “Partners for Independence” initiative with Rebuilding Together and Faith in Action supported by a grant from the Corporation for National Service. AARP Foundation is working with these charitable organizations to recruit and place boomer-aged volunteers in roles supporting the needs of those older Americans impacted by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
“AARP is providing resources to make older Americans feel more confident in preparing for a wide range of emergencies that may occur,” said AARP Foundation’s Executive Director, Robin Talbert. “Policymakers can also benefit from these tools, as they look to better protect all Americans from future emergencies.”
AARP has also published several other free preparedness guides. A complete list of AARP Preparedness Resources, including where consumers and policymakers can access these materials is below.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
AARP Preparedness Resources
AARP Preparedness Spokespersons:
- AARP’s Group Executive Officer, Christopher Hansen
- AARP’s Chief Operating Officer, Thomas Nelson
Reporters can contact Amanda Sobanet at 202-434-2597, or via email at asobanet@aarp.org should you wish to interview Mr. Hansen or Mr. Nelson.
AARP and Related Preparedness Materials
Publication:
We Can Do Better, Lessons Learned for Protecting Older Persons in Disasters—This is a guide for policymakers and leaders who wish to better understand and implement principles of preparedness.
Visit: http://www.aarp.org/katrina/
Publication:
Dealing with Disasters—A consumer guide to help older adults prepare for disasters before they occur.
Visit: http://www.aarp.org/katrina/
Publication:
Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Special Needs. Get Ready Now. Materials that outline three simple steps older Americans and those with special needs can take to prepare.
Visit: www.ready.gov
Call: 1-800-BE-READY to obtain hard copies of this brochure.
Publication:
Recommendations for Best Practices in the Management of Elderly Disaster Victims—A report published by the Baylor College of Medicine, which AARP supported. Emphasizes best practices in helping frail older Americans in disasters. Designed for disaster planning teams in federal, state and local governments.
**Call AARP media relations for copies.