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WE CAN DO

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Lessons Learned for Protecting Older Persons in Disasters

WE CAN DO BETTER: LESSONS LEARNED FOR PROTECTING OLDER PERSONS IN DISASTERS By Mary Jo Gibson With Michele Hayunga

The AARP Public Policy Institute, formed in 1985, is part of the Policy and Strategy Group at AARP. One of the missions of the Institute is to foster research and analysis on public policy issues of importance to mid-life and older Americans. This publication represents part of that effort. The views expressed herein are for information, debate, and discussion, and do not necessarily represent official policies of AARP.

? 2006, AARP. Reprinting with permission only. AARP, 601 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20049

WE CAN DO

BETER

Lessons Learned for Protecting Older Persons in Disasters

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many individuals have made significant contributions to this report. First, we wish to thank Michele Hayunga, who reported the proceedings of the AARP conference held on December 1, 2005. That conference was spearheaded by Dalmer Hoskins, managing director of policy at AARP.

Others who played key roles in organizing the conference were Elizabeth Clemmer, associate director of AARP's Public Policy Institute (PPI), Lisa Stand and Molly Long of Office of Policy Integration (OPI), and many members of the PPI Independent Living and Long-Term Care Team, especially Andrew Kochera and Sheel Pandya. Shirley Ross and Tyaisha Williams of PPI and Gwen Craig of the OPI provided logistical support. Critical guidance in organizing the conference was also provided by Hilary Styron of the National Organization on Disability. Julie Cohn, AARP regional director, and Bentley Lipscomb, AARP Florida state director, chaired panels, and Lucy Theilheimer, director of AARP Strategic Planning, led the stimulating and lively participant discussions that occurred throughout the day. Last but far from least, we thank Dr. Georges Benjamin, the keynote speaker and the executive director of the American Public Health Association, the 12 conference panelists from diverse organizations, and more than 100 participants who shared their expertise and resources.

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Ari Houser of AARP's PPI played a central role in developing the three questions used in

the Harris Interactive survey of persons age 50 and older, which was conducted in

November, 2005, under the leadership of Diana Gravitch. Shelly-Ann Sinclair of PPI

provided valuable editorial assistance.

Special thanks are also due to the host of individuals who reviewed the report and provided valuable insights and suggestions, including the conference panelists, and many AARP staff. These staff include Ilene Henshaw and Susan Weinstock of AARP's State Affairs Department, Mimi Castaldi of AARP's District of Columbia Office, Bentley Lipscomb of AARP's Florida State Office, Patti DeMichele of AARP's Louisiana State Office, Jo Reed and Rhonda Richards of AARP's Federal Affairs Department, Lisa Stand of OPI, Lee Rucker of PPI, Brewster Thackeray of the Office of Social Impact, and Robin Talbert of the AARP Foundation. Finally, AARP Creative designed the report.

Mary Jo Gibson

Lessons Learned for Protecting Older Persons in Disasters

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword 4 I Executive Summary 5 II Introduction 11 III Special Risks Faced by Older Persons in Disasters 17 IV The Emergency Management System and Older Americans 21 V Principles for Preparedness 25 VI Lessons Learned and Promising Practices for Protecting

Older Persons in Disasters 29

Improving Planning and Communications 30 Highlights from the AARP Conference 30 Other Promising Practices and Lessons Learned 34

Identifying Who Will Need Help and What Kind of Help: Registries, Tracking, and Medications 40 Highlights from the AARP Conference 41 Other Promising Practices and Lessons Learned 46

Evacuating Older Persons in the Community and Nursing Homes:

Transportation and Sheltering 48

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Highlights from the AARP Conference 49

Other Promising Practices and Lessons Learned 54

VII Concluding Remarks 59

VIII Appendix 61

Conference Agenda 62 Discussion at the AARP Conference 64 Biographies of Panelists 70 Older Persons and Evacuation: Who Needs Help? A Survey

of Americans Age 50 or Older 72 Glossary of Emergency Preparedness Terms 73 Selected Resources 75 Endnotes 76

Lessons Learned for Protecting Older Persons in Disasters

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