By Leila Merrill
WASHINGTON — AARP and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have released new resources to help local officials protect older adults before, during and after natural disasters and to support communities in mitigating the effects of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes and fires.
FEMA’s Guide to Expanding Mitigation: Making the Connection to Older Adults highlights how natural hazards affect older adults and provides recommendations for how local mitigation and emergency planners can include older adults in community efforts to lower their risks.
The AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit features strategies to help local, state and community leaders and advocates reduce the risk and impacts of disasters on older adults.
“Adults aged 65 and older are a growing demographic who are often disproportionately impacted by severe weather. These disparities can be compounded by other factors, such as low-income or chronic illness, producing inequitable results for this vulnerable population when it comes to disaster preparedness,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said in a news release. “Effective mitigation planning requires that we consider the needs of all populations.”