HHS’ Administration on Aging
Provides Flood Relief to New Hampshire Seniors

The Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Josefina G. Carbonell, announced that New Hampshire has received $24,306 to assist in relief efforts as a result of April 2007 flooding, which impacted the lives of many New Hampshire seniors. 

The funds will provide flood victims with essential community services and assistance, home repair, chore services and continued clean up from the flood so that they can return to their homes.

“This grant to New Hampshire’s network of aging organizations will help in providing our seniors with the supportive assistance they need to continue rebuilding their lives,” said Assistant Secretary Carbonell.

On May 10, President Bush declared the entire state of New Hampshire a national disaster. Over the past year, New Hampshire experienced three major floods. The April 2007 flooding, combined with ice storms during the winter, shut down more than 400 roads and flooded more than 1000 homes. This flooding has made it especially difficult for seniors who are coping with repeated damages to their homes and expenses associated with earlier storms.

Many seniors have exhausted their insurance pay-outs and available Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, and are relying on Older Americans Act services to cope with the damage and disruption caused by the floods.

The Administration on Aging continues to work closely with the New Hampshire Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services to offer needed relief to those communities impacted by the flooding.

Information and resources on a variety of aging-related topics to assist elders, families, and caregivers can be found on the Administration on Aging Web site at: http://www.aoa.gov

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging (AoA), works with a nationwide network of organizations and service providers to develop a comprehensive and cost-effective system of long-term care that helps elderly individuals maintain their independence and dignity in their homes and communities. For more information about the AoA, please contact: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, Washington, D.C. 20201, Phone (202) 401-4541.