Disaster
Assistance
Disaster Preparedness Manual for the Aging Network
I. Preface
The Administration on Aging and the Aging Network composed of
State and Area Agencies on Aging, Native American Tribal Organizations,
service providers and educational institutions have the legislative
mandate to advocate on behalf of older persons and to work in
cooperation with other Federal and State programs to provide
needed services. The Administration on Aging has joined in partnership
with the Kansas Department on Aging to develop a new, updated
disaster guide for use by State and Area Agencies on Aging and
Native American Tribal Organizations to better respond to the
needs of older disaster victims.
Older persons are among the most vulnerable members of American
society. When disasters occur, they will be the most likely to
suffer from the direct impact of nature's force. They are among
the most likely to have physical or mental impairments that limit
their ability to respond or to seek help. Because of some common
characteristics, they will be the slowest to request assistance
and will often decline assistance because they do not want to
deny others of needed services or because of a misunderstanding
of the nature of disaster services. They are repelled by any
assistance that seems to be "welfare". Because they
no longer have long working years ahead of them, older persons
are less likely to have the ability to recover from the economic
impact of a natural disaster. Without economic support, compounded
by physical and mental impairments which may limit their ability
to recover, older persons are much more likely to become totally
dependent and to suffer institutionalization. It is in the interests
of older persons and our society to assure older persons receive
the assistance necessary to assure that they at least receive
the benefits that all persons are afforded after a disaster.
During the 1970's, the Administration on Aging made major efforts
to prepare the aging network to respond to the special needs
of older disaster victims. National strategies were developed
and orientation sessions held. An interagency agreement was negotiated
between the Administration on Aging and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (then the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration)
which dealt with mutual expectations relative to program and
fiscal activity.
Building on the experiences gained during that period, and
using the material and expertise developed by the aging network
in
responding to recent hurricanes, floods and the California
earthquake, this new and updated disaster guide for state
and area agencies on aging has been developed.
This manual reflects the commitment of the Administration on
Aging to engage in an on-going program of training and technical
assistance to assure continuing development of the aging network's
capacity to serve older disaster victims.
| Last Modified: 7/16/2009 9:05:48 AM |
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