The Area Agency on Aging is giving some guidance to people who may want to support efforts to help older adults affected by the recent hurricanes in Florida and the Southest. Often it’s confusing how or where to direct financial assistance. Here is one way to do it, through an agency affiliated with the local aging advocates.
Those looking to support older adults affected by recent hurricanes and tornadoes across the Southeast United States can do so through USAging’s Disaster Relief Fund.
USAging, the national association representing and supporting the network of Area
Agencies on Aging (AAA), will use funds raised to help AAAs and Title VI Native American Aging Programs purchase food, gift cards, clothing and medical supplies to help support older adults in their communities as they recover.
“The AAAs in those areas are working hard to address seniors’ emergency needs,” Region IV AAA CEO Christine Vanlandingham said. “100% of funds go directly to meet the needs of older adults impacted by natural disasters. Should a natural disaster hit our corner of Michigan, we would be able to tap this fund as well.”
Older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and AAA staff affected by the natural disasters are facing challenges with delivery of meals and medical equipment, loss of power and communication, unsafe drinking water, closure of hospitals and nursing facilities, unpassable roads to check on homebound clients, and so much more.
Disasters can have long-lasting and sometimes permanent effects on communities and particularly on the older adults who live in them. Since these agencies can only use these funds to directly help older adults, your donation has an immediate impact on older adults in communities recovering from disasters.
For more information about the fund, and to donate, visit www.usaging.org/donate.
