Abstract

Older adults are disproportionately impacted by disasters, often representing the majority of fatalities resulting from extreme weather, natural hazards and public emergencies.

AARP and FEMA created this publication to help local leaders build the type of community-wide resilience that benefits the safety and well-being of older residents.

The AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit examines the realities faced by older residents when a disaster strikes, and it presents strategies that can be used during all stages of the “disaster life cycle” to ensure that an all-ages lens is effectively integrated into preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts.

Chief among the steps and strategies is the need to maintain or establish strong community connections.

That means identifying where older adults are, knowing how to reach them and understanding what they need. It also means addressing the communications and coordination gaps that often exist between emergency management professionals and the agencies and local organizations that serve, work with and frequently represent a community’s older residents.