HHS' Administration on Aging Provides Disaster Relief to Louisiana Seniors

HHS Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell announced that Louisiana has received $60,000 to assist in relief efforts as a result of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which wreaked havoc on the lives of many seniors throughout the state late this summer. The funds will assist in providing elder hurricane victims with essential community services including meals, ongoing counseling and case management, transportation, home repair, chore services and continued clean up of debris caused by the storms so that they can return to their homes. “This grant to Louisiana’s aging network will provide seniors with additional support they will need to recover from these back-to-back traumatic weather events,” Assistant Secretary Carbonell said.

The two hurricanes, which caused massive destruction to property, resulted in the emergency evacuation of thousands of individuals over the age of 60 in the affected areas. Tornadoes caused the uprooting of trees; many homes were damaged due to flooding, and utility services were disrupted. Seniors were forced to leave their homes, some for the second time in as little as two weeks, and stay in shelters, where some to this day remain until homes are repaired or services restored. On September 2, 2008, President Bush issued an emergency declaration for the entire state of Louisiana in response to the destruction caused by Hurricane Gustav. On September 13 and 18, Louisiana received additional federal disaster declarations to address the response to Hurricane Ike. To support state and local efforts, the Administration on Aging (AoA) continues to work closely with the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs to offer ongoing relief to those individuals and communities impacted by the hurricanes. Information and resources on a variety of aging-related topics to assist elders, families, and caregivers can be found on the AoA Web site at:  http://www.aoa.gov

Information on Emergency Preparedness can be found at: http://www.aoa.gov/prof/preparedness/preparedness.aspx