Hearings to examine preparing for disasters, focusing on unique challenges facing older Americans.

1[Senate Hearing 119-82]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                         S. Hrg. 119-8256                        PREPARING FOR DISASTERS:7                        UNIQUE CHALLENGES FACING8                            OLDER AMERICANS910=======================================================================1112                                HEARING1314                               BEFORE THE1516                       SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING1718                          UNITED STATES SENATE1920                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2122                             FIRST SESSION2324                               __________2526                             WASHINGTON, DC2728                               __________2930                              MAY 14, 20253132                               __________3334                           Serial No. 119-083536         Printed for the use of the Special Committee on Aging3738[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3940        Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov4142                                __________4344                   U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE4560-496 PDF                  WASHINGTON : 20254647-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4849                       SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING5051                     RICK SCOTT, Florida, Chairman5253DAVE McCORMICK, Pennsylvania         KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, New York54JIM JUSTICE, West Virginia           ELIZABETH WARREN, Massachusetts55TOMMY TUBERVILLE, Alabama            MARK KELLY, Arizona56RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin               RAPHAEL WARNOCK, Georgia57ASHLEY MOODY, Florida                ANDY KIM, New Jersey58JON HUSTED, Ohio                     ANGELA ALSOBRO, soS, Maryland59                              ----------60                McKinley Lewis, Majority Staff Director61                Claire Descamps, Minority Staff Director6263                         C  O  N  T  E  N  T  S6465                              ----------6667                                                                   Page6869Opening Statement of Senator Rick Scott, Chairman................     170Opening Statement of Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, Ranking71  Member.........................................................     27273                           PANEL OF WITNESSES7475The Honorable Chris Nocco, Sheriff, Pasco County Sheriff's76  Office, New Port Richey, Florida...............................     377Jennifer Pipa, Vice President of Disaster Programs, American Red78  Cross, Washington, DC..........................................     679L. Vance Taylor, Subject Matter Expert, Inclusive Emergency80  Management, Rancho Cordova, California.........................     88182                                APPENDIX83                      Prepared Witness Statements8485The Honorable Chris Nocco, Sheriff, Pasco County Sheriff's86  Office, New Port Richey, Florida...............................    2887Jennifer Pipa, Vice President of Disaster Programs, American Red88  Cross, Washington, DC..........................................    3089L. Vance Taylor, Subject Matter Expert, Inclusive Emergency90  Management, Rancho Cordova, California.........................    339192                        Questions for the Record9394L. Vance Taylor, Subject Matter Expert, Inclusive Emergency95  Management, Rancho Cordova, California.........................    379697                       Statements for the Record9899AARP Statement...................................................    43100AFGE Statement...................................................    45101Alliance for Home Dialysis Statement.............................    47102Alzheimer's Association and Alzheimer's Impact Movement Statement    49103American Red Cross Statement.....................................    51104Daintry Bartoldus Statement......................................    52105Disability Rights New York Statement.............................    53106Erika Felix Statement............................................    54107Justice in Aging Statement.......................................    56108K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and109  Disability Statement...........................................    59110Moving Forward Statement.........................................    61111United Way of New York Statement.................................    63112113                        PREPARING FOR DISASTERS:114                        UNIQUE CHALLENGES FACING115                            OLDER AMERICANS116117                              ----------118119                        Wednesday, May 14, 2025120121                                        U.S. Senate122                                 Special Committee on Aging123                                                    Washington, DC.124    The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 3:33 p.m., Room125106, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Rick Scott, Chairman126of the Committee, presiding.127    Present: Senator Scott, McCormick, Johnson, Moody,128Gillibrand, Warnock, and Kim.129130                 OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR131                      RICK SCOTT, CHAIRMAN132133    The Chairman. The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging134will now come to order. Today, we're gathered to highlight the135importance of disaster preparedness. Natural disasters do not136discriminate: It doesn't matter how old you are, how much money137you have, or how smart you think you might be. If you aren't138prepared, nothing else matters.139    While being prepared is vital for everyone, it is140especially important for seniors who often have different and141more complex needs than their younger neighbors and friends. As142a senior senator from Florida, I'm no stranger to disasters.143During my eight years as Governor and six years serving144Floridians in the U.S. Senate, I've seen the destruction left145behind by multiple devastating hurricanes in the sunshine146State. If there's one lesson I've learned, it's that147preparedness saves lives.148    There is no alternative to getting prepared and having a149disaster plan. When disasters strike, the things around us can150be replaced, but if you don't protect your life, there is no151second chance. I tell Floridians constantly during hurricane152season: you can rebuild your home, but you cannot rebuild your153life. I cannot tell you how many Floridians I have talked to154that barely survived hurricanes and wish they would've done155more to be prepared. I've also talked to heartbroken families156that lost a loved one who didn't take these storms seriously.157    I'll never forget talking to a young man in Mexico Beach,158which is in our Panhandle, the day after Hurricane Michael made159his devastating landfall there in 2018. He was frantically160searching for his elderly mother, who had stayed in her home on161the beach to ride out the storm because he said he tried to get162her to evacuate, but she said, oh, I've lived here forever, and163nothing's going to happen.164    Unfortunately, that young man wouldn't find his mom until165days later. She had been swept away by the massive storm surge166and didn't survive. It breaks your heart to hear these stories.167She should still be alive today.168    My hope is that our hearing today will motivate older169Americans to take disaster preparedness seriously. Hurricane170season is just weeks away and being prepared saves lives. Being171from Florida, it's no surprise that most of my experience with172disasters has come from responding to hurricanes, but it's not173just storms that folks need to prepare for. We all have seen174devastating wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other175natural disasters impact our country. We have to remember that176disaster can strike at any moment.177    That is why being prepared and having a plan is so178important, especially for our aging population who face unique179challenges. Older Americans are disproportionately affected by180natural disasters. In Florida, nearly 60 percent of the deaths181from Hurricane Ian were seniors.182    If you're a senior, if you have loved ones who are seniors183or anyone watching this right now, go to ready.gov and see what184you need to be prepared to make a plan. That includes having an185evacuation plan and knowing what to do If you must leave your186home. You should also make sure to stock up on emergency187supplies like food, water, and first aid supplies. For our188seniors especially, a really important part of this is making189sure to have medications. You have to make sure you have a plan190that ensures you have enough medicine to last a week.191    There are so many things to think about, but when you have192a plan in place, you can get prepared in advance, it's so much193easier and less stressful than trying to get everything done194with a storm barreling through the Atlantic or Gulf of America.195    I'm so glad to have the witnesses before us today and have196them share their expertise and experience, listen to them. It197could very well be the difference in saving your life should198disaster strike. Don't put your family and your loved ones at199risk. Don't wait to take action. Get prepared today.200    Now, I'd like to recognize Ranking Member Gillibrand for201her opening statement.202203                 OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR204             KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, RANKING MEMBER205206    Senator Gillibrand. Thank you, Chairman Scott for calling207today's hearing. This is an urgent and important issue and one208that our State knows really quite well.209    Natural disasters are dangerous for everyone, but we know210they're especially dangerous for older adults and people with211disabilities. Research shows that people with disabilities are212up to four times more likely to die in a disaster than the213general population, and that older adults are more likely to214die in a disaster than any other demographic.215    When Hurricane Sandy struck New York in 2012, nearly all216the fatalities were people over the age of 65. In February 2021217when a winter storm struck Jacksonville, Texas, 60 percent of218the 246 deaths were people over the age of 60. We know the219risks, and we know the statistics, and it's our responsibility220to plan accordingly.221    Older adults are much more likely to have a disability than222the general population, which may impact their mobility,223sensory processing, or cognitive function. We must develop224accessible shelters and transportation, accessible alerts in225multiple languages, and plan for relocating people who live in226long-term care facilities before disaster strikes, not after.227    That's one of the reasons why I introduced my Strategic228Plan for Aging in the 118th Congress, and I plan to reintroduce229it again in this Congress. My bill would create a new230nationwide grant program under the Older Americans Act, to231incentivize and support states' efforts to create their own232strategic plans for aging, which would include disaster233preparedness as part of it.234    In addition to planning, we have to also make sure that235state and local governments are properly resourced to build236accessibility into their disaster recovery and response. That237means safeguarding federal resources like those provided238through FEMA or the Administration for Community Living.239    I look forward to hearing from our witnesses about240solutions to improve outcomes for older adults and people with241disabilities during disasters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.242    The Chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member Gillibrand. I'd243like to welcome our witnesses here today, all of whom bring244important perspectives on the challenges facing the elderly245when it comes to preparing for a disaster. First, I'd like to246recognize Sheriff Chris Nocco from Pasco County. In 2011, when247I was Governor of Florida, I appointed him to serve as Sheriff,248who was elected to the position in 2012, then reelected without249opposition in 16, 20 and 24. That all of them 12, 16, 20. When250I was Governor, I had the opportunity to appoint a Sheriff if251there was an opening and I think Chris was the first one I got252to.253    When it comes to disaster preparedness, the Sheriff is an254expert. Just last year, the Gulf Coast of Florida was severely255hit by hurricanes. The Sheriff and I have worked closely in256response last year and throughout my years as Senator and257Governor to make sure the residents of Pasco County are safe,258prepared for anything that may impact them. The Sheriff and his259deputies are always working to make sure their community is260prepared for any emergency and ready to respond if disaster261strikes.262    Thank you for being here today and look forward to hearing263your testimony. Go ahead.264265          STATEMENT OF HONORABLE CHRIS NOCCO, SHERIFF,266267                 PASCO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE,268269                    NEW PORT RICHEY, FLORIDA270271    Mr. Nocco. Thank you, Chairman Scott, Ranking Member272Gillibrand, and members of the Special Committee on Aging for273inviting me to speak before you today.274    My name is Chris Nocco, and I have the distinct honor of275serving as a Sheriff of Pasco County, Florida, a county just276north of Tampa Bay on Florida's Gulf Coast, with the population277of roughly 750,000, with 22 percent of that population being 65278years or older.279    I'd be remiss if I did not note today as the senator said,280that Senator Rick Scott appointed me, Sheriff. Senator Rick281Scott, when he was Governor of Florida, guided our State282through unprecedented storms and hurricane seasons and the283impact he left on preparedness, execution, public private284partnerships, and emergency response is still saving lives and285property in Florida today.286    I'd also be remiss to not note the outstanding partnership287that we had with another one of your Committee members, Senator288Ashley Moody, who was Florida's attorney General. Senator Moody289was a leader in scam prevention, price gouging, unlicensed290contracting, and other issues that impacted all Florida291citizens, but especially our senior population as they both292prepare and recover from hurricanes.293    With that, over the last year, our Pasco County community294faced in short succession, the threat of hurricanes Debbie,295Helene, and Milton. With more than 24 miles of coastline, Pasco296County has unique challenges from the storms, even though none297of them made direct landfall in Pasco County.298    As Debbie and Helene moved north through the Gulf of299America, within 100 miles of Pasco County's coast, storm surge300was pushed ashore, greatly impacting the more than 50,000301residents of Pasco County who live west of US19. This area of302our county is home to many seniors and has direct impact on303them.304    The overnight hours of September 25th and 26th, as305hurricane Helene moved north just off of our coastline, I306joined members of our Sheriff's office along with Pasco Fire307Rescue, and we conducted active water rescue. We were also308joined by the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard,309whose assistance was invaluable.310    In those overnight hours, we were able to rescue more than311100 people from a rapidly rising storm surge, which ultimately312crested at near record levels. Anecdotally, we were told by the313National Guard that they had a vehicle rated for 18 feet of314water that was unable to pass any further after encountering315water in one of our neighborhoods.316    I myself witnessed individuals who had climbed on roofs to317avoid the rapidly rising storm surge. In one instance, a318female, her small child, and elderly relatives, had climbed to319a roof of a three-story multifamily housing unit and were320awaiting rescue. This speaks directly to the need to follow321local emergency management officials and orders, such as322evacuation, especially for the most vulnerable among our323community.324    That is furthered by another example of a water rescue call325for service we received in a hurricane in 2023, and when we326responded to the elderly couple with a boat to rescue them from327the rapidly flooding house, they were not prepared and still328needed to gather various medications and their family pets.329    We encourage everyone, if you do not heed local evacuation330orders, be prepared to go when you make the decision, or risk331your life as well as the lives of first responders. Waiting for332preparation to occur with rapidly rising floodwaters is not333feasible for any party involved.334    In these instances, our first priority is life and safety335and rescue. As you can imagine, all resources we have become336involved in these rescue operations. Even with that, without337the support of the National Guard, Coast Guard, Florida State338Guard, and Florida Fish and Wildlife, we would not have been as339successful as we were.340    The resources that the state and federal partnerships such341as the National Guard and Coast Guard can bring with them to342these disasters? Response situations is invaluable for local343communities such as Pasco County.344    Hurricane Milton, which impacted our community in October345of last year, presented a different challenge, as Milton made346landfall south of Tampa Bay. We did not immediately see large347impacts, however, as Milton moved through the center of our348State in a northern direction, dropping rain on already349saturated rivers and other bodies of water, riverine, flooding350became a significant issue.351    Several days after Milton made landfall, and facing record352levels of flooding on several rivers in Pasco County, we were353called for several rescues, especially in the neighborhoods in354Wesley Chapel. Again, with the assistance of our state and355federal partners, this rescue operation would not have been as356successful.357    Let me say this, in my opinion, that law enforcement and358emergency response must continue to advance and embrace rapidly359evolving technologies. Items such as drones provide invaluable360benefits to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Our361partnerships with Skydio and with Axon have led us to believe362that drone technology is assisting us and helping to save lives363in our community.364    With that being said, I know my information is going into365the record. I appreciate your time, but I most importantly want366to thank our citizens for all their support. The first367responders in Tampa Bay, all the people that are out there,368power linesmen, those that are in the gas supply industry, are369critically necessary.370    The last thing, and most importantly, is our Lord Jesus371Christ and ask him to protect us in this hurricane season.372    The Chairman. Thanks, Sheriff. The Sheriff has--the way373what they've done in Pasco County, which is just north of374Tampa, but also the whole area, the Sheriff's departments, the375police departments, the fire departments, the all the first376responders, they do an unbelievable job of coordinating all377their activities and sharing resources, and you guys do a great378job. Thank you, so, congratulations.379    Next Red Cross. I had the opportunity to work with Red380Cross. When I was Governor, I had four big hurricanes, I had381flooding, I had tornadoes, so I had it all, and what's great382is, if the Red Cross shows up, they've helped us. They helped383us with our shelters. They fed a lot of people. They opened up384healthcare facilities, the name. They've just done an385unbelievable job.386    Our next witness is Jennifer Pipa, Vice President of387disaster programs for the American Red Cross. Prior to this388role, Mrs. Pipa served as CEO of Georgia's Red Cross, and389previously served as the Regional Executive for the Red Cross390of Central Florida. Her Red Cross career began in 2004 when she391was four years old, when she joined the Disaster Action Team in392Raleigh, North Carolina as a volunteer.393    Thank you for being here today. I look forward to your394testimony.395396           STATEMENT OF JENNIFER PIPA, VICE PRESIDENT397398                 OF DISASTER PROGRAMS, AMERICAN399400                   RED CROSS, WASHINGTON, DC401402    Ms. Pipa. Thank you for the age adjustment. I appreciate403that, Senator. Good afternoon, Chairman Scott and Ranking404Member Gillibrand and distinguished members of the Committee.405Thank you for the privilege of being able to testify before you406today on behalf of the American Red Cross. We commend the407Committee on holding a much-needed hearing on the unique408challenges that face older Americans and how to help them409prepare better for disasters.410    Amongst the most significant challenges the American Red411Cross encounters in our disaster work, is meeting the needs of412older Americans that are impacted by disasters. Nearly 20413percent of Americans are in that 65 and older age group, and414the current growth population shows that just growing more and415more as we continue on.416    This increase in population and older Americans comes at a417time when we are having more frequent and more costly418disasters, so, when this is happening and that's becoming our419new normal, and we're seeing this age demographic and this420maturity population, the intersection of these two are421absolutely a critical moment in time.422    I want to share a personal experience I had actually in423Florida after Hurricane Ian. I was out after the first couple424of days driving around. We were making sure people knew where425our shelters were, that we had meals, that they could connect426with us so that we could help them navigate the complex427recovery environment, and as I drove by, there was this woman,428she was in her home kind of sifting through things, and when429you looked in through the windows, it was like someone had430taken her home and just shaken it up, so, the refrigerator was431in the middle of the kitchen, the couches and the bookcases432were piled on the side, and she was going through her stuff.433    She was trying to move stuff; she was trying to find stuff,434so, I went inside, I introduced myself to her. Her name's435Jackie, so, she was a retired home economics teacher from436Upstate New York, and once she had retired, her and her husband437chose to move down to Fort Myers, Florida.438    She had done everything right. She had listened to the439warnings, she was weather aware, when the officials told her to440evacuate, she and her husband evacuated, but she still lost her441home, and when she returned and I was talking to her, I was442asking her about her neighbors because she was so proud of the443neighborhood and everyone that she knew in it. This was her444entire life. This was her social fabric at that moment in time.445    What she told me was there were some people who chose not446to evacuate. In fact, one of her neighbors unfortunately lost447his life because he hadn't.448    She's this incredibly intelligent, well-articulated woman,449and you know that she's got a road here ahead of her that's450going to be really tough, but she's one of those folks where451you think, I know she's going to be able to do this. I have452faith that she's going to be able to navigate this. In453continuing to talk to her in the days and weeks afterwards,454here's what Jackie reminded me of. The disaster never lets her455forget that she was now a victim of it. That her life is456immeasurably changed because of the impact of that disaster.457    Simple things that you and I take for granted every single458day, like what grocery store to go to, or I need to make an459appointment with my local doctor or my local bank. She's forced460to make new decisions. It's not a choice she made. It is a461choice that was forced upon her, and now she has to renegotiate462what the rest of her retirement is going to look like with her463husband, because she unfortunately was impacted from a464disaster.465    We know folks, as they get older, they rely on that466repeatable, sustainable, stable infrastructure so that they can467continue to live independently, but still be able to take care468of themselves, and what disasters do, is they strip our469population of that ability. It takes away that autonomy. It470takes away the empowerment to make those choices and forces471them down a road that was not of their choosing.472    We see this in older Americans time and time again after a473disaster happens that they struggle, that they were fine474before, but that navigation afterwards, when the systems are475upset and you don't know where everything is that you need it476to be, they really, really struggle with that, and so, we know477that's an important population that we have to continue to keep478track of and support as they make those tough decisions about479what their next steps are.480    In times of disaster the American Red Cross stands as a481beacon of hope, and we rely on that hope and compassion to take482care of every American that gets impacted because of a483disaster, and we're equally committed to supporting our older484Americans.485    In fact, 40 percent of our volunteer population is over 60.486That's neighbors helping neighbors. That's the best outcome you487can have because they understand the hard and difficult road488ahead and as a volunteer, they can speak with credibility and489help understand and identify and empathize with those families490as they begin their recovery effort.491    Their service reflects the value and the dedication of our492organization, and our older Americans they aren't just493recipients of our help here. They actually help and facilitate494and empower our communities to help ourselves.495    On behalf of the American Red Cross, first of all, thank496you again for the opportunity to talk about this important497issue, and thank you to our donors and our volunteers who show498up every single time we call to go out and deliver that Red499Cross mission.500    Thank you.501    The Chairman. You have to raise money to do a lot of this,502right?503    Ms. Pipa. Yes, sir. We do.504    The Chairman. Thank you, and thank you for what the Red505Cross does. Next, I'd like to recognize Ranking Member506Gillibrand to introduce the next witness.507    Senator Gillibrand. Thank you, Chairman Scott, I want to508introduce our final witness, Mr. Luis Vance Taylor. Mr. Taylor509is the Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at510the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. In this511capacity, Mr. Taylor works to ensure that older Californians512and Californians with disabilities are not left behind during513disasters by striving to guarantee their inclusion during the514emergency planning process. Thank you for being with us Mr.515Taylor.516517             STATEMENT OF L. VANCE TAYLOR, SUBJECT518519               MATTER EXPERT, INCLUSIVE EMERGENCY520521             MANAGEMENT, RANCHO CORDOVA, CALIFORNIA522523    Mr. Taylor. Thank you very much for having me. Chairman524Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, members of the Committee, it525is my honor to testify today. I do so not on behalf of any526government agency, but as a subject matter expert in the field527of emergency management, who lives with a disability and uses a528power wheelchair.529    As has been said, we are in an era of increasingly frequent530and severe disasters. As the scope and scale and devastation531associated with those events grows, it's critical that we532recognize that wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, they strike533without regard to geography or politics--they consistently and534disproportionately however, impact older adults and people with535disabilities.536    One reason why we see that disproportionate impact, is537because well-intentioned emergency managers who can walk and538see and hear have oftentimes developed plans in isolation539without input from the full spectrum of the communities they540serve.541    I activate in response to major disasters.542    One time, while visiting an emergency shelter, I saw543survivors and they were there on the worst day of their lives.544It was hot, muggy, ash from the air clung to their sweat. It545formed a thick grime that covered their skin. Because the546jurisdiction hadn't integrated the provision of portable547accessible showers, when older adults and people with548disabilities arrived, they couldn't bathe, and I'll never549forget the look on their faces when I had to tell them that550they had no choice but to sit in their own filth until we could551bring in the appropriate resources for them.552    Experiences like this should serve as a call to action to553embrace inclusive planning. As a best practice, forward-leaning554emergency management agencies are ending the practice of555planning for the community, and instead, they're choosing to556plan with the community. One vital step is creating Access and557Functional Needs Advisory Committees that ensure better558outcomes for the whole community.559    Inclusive planning leads to press conferences with a ASL560interpreter, posting of critical updates in accessible formats,561the provision of accessible evacuation resources, and shelters562that are physically and programmatically accessible. When the563whole community is involved in planning, the result is a system564that hears and sees and serves everyone, and more than that,565it's a system that literally saves lives.566    California leads the Nation in inclusive planning, and yet567I'll be the first one to say the work is far from done. We have568resources to develop innovative practices and training, and we569share those resources freely with states across the country,570but as valuable as those tools are, when disasters strike, what571communities truly need is sustained support from federal572partners like FEMA, ACL and ASPR.573    They need funding for the full range of federal resources574required to respond to and recover from events that overwhelm575local capacities. Cutting or eliminating those agencies would576have devastating consequences, especially for older adults and577people with disabilities, whose safety, independence, and578survival often hangs in the balance.579    Senator Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, and members of580the Committee-you have an opportunity to affirm that the581mission of inclusive emergency management is one of the most582human responsibilities we share, to show that Washington can be583counted on, to empower emergency managers in the whole584community, to lift the hands that hang down, to reduce human585suffering, to prevent the needless loss of life among older586adults and individuals with disabilities.587    Doing so is a reflection, of course, of who we are--not as588Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans, and it's a lift,589but you don't have to lift alone. Federal agencies will lift590with you. States across the country will lift with you. I will591lift with you, and as we lift together, the communities we592serve will ascend.593    Thank you.594    The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Taylor. Now we're going to go595to questions, and first Senator Moody.596    Senator Moody. Thank you, Chairman Scott, Ranking Member597Gillibrand. I have to commend our Chair again. He always seems598to be on top of timely issues as it relates to our seniors, and599once again, I mean, we have dealt with everything from opioids600and now we're dealing with disasters for seniors.601    Thank you so much for having the energy and the diligence602to follow through on making sure we're delivering on this603topic. It's so important, especially to our State. We have such604a large senior population. In fact, in my former role as605Attorney General, I went to a field hearing where Senator Scott606hosted in the villages of Florida and that was such a great607event, and who would've ever thought that as the newest U.S.608Senator that we would be sitting here as colleagues discussing609aging and issues related to older Americans.610    Thank you so much for your support since I've been here and611for your remarkable leadership as the chair of this Committee,612and thank you for the two Floridians that came all this way to613join us for the hearing. Very much appreciate that. As Attorney614General, I was a fierce fighter for our seniors. I went so far615as to set up a senior protection team, enlisted the help of law616enforcement and our civil lawyers.617    One of the things and--certainly law enforcement does a618remarkable job of communicating with our seniors as a disaster619or as a hurricane is approaching, or a threat is approaching620our shores, making sure we're evacuating them, those that will621evacuate. Law enforcement coordination and proactive leadership622is just incredible in Florida, and I thank you Sheriff Nocco.623    One of the other things I commend Florida law enforcement624for, and I want to make sure that we're doing this across the625Nation, is recognizing that the seniors after the storm passes626and the crimes that occur oftentimes, you have to be specially627trained. You have to be aware that when a contractor comes in628and demands cash payments from our seniors and they willingly629hand over large amounts of money, and then they never return to630do any work, or when someone gets a senior to sign a power of631attorney and then takes their benefits without ever doing632anything in the best interest of that senior, I mean, to some633extent what used to be, I think thought of in law enforcement634as a contractual or civil issue, we are now bringing around law635enforcement in Florida to say no, in many of these instances,636this isn't a contractual dispute. This isn't whether a contract637term was delivered on, or we followed through on a specific638agreement as we agreed upon. This is outright theft, and law639enforcement in Florida has really taken that on.640    It's important that yes, there are going to be contractual641disputes in recovery process. Anytime you're going through a642large recovery process like we've seen in Florida, that will643happen, but in many instances, it's these fly by-night scam644artists, criminals. I had a sheriff call me frantically one645time talking about how someone had demanded $30,000 to trim a646senior's tree, and they were about to hand it over, but the647Sheriff had to come in and go after those folks, so I648appreciate the proactive leadership.649    Sheriff Nocco, you have been at the helm and leading your650county admirably through these storms, protecting seniors. Have651you seen similar crimes like that? Is there anything that you652think we can do federally to encourage law enforcement when it653is a crime and its outright theft of being more proactive in654the aftermath of a disaster?655    Mr. Nocco. Thank you, Senator, and appreciate it. First656time officially saying from Attorney General to Senator, so657congratulations on your new position, so, you hit a very good658point. The fact that, and it goes a lot of things that what659people are talking about, is that senior citizens, when they660come to Florida, they move from all over the country. They're661used to snow storms or anything else, but they move to Florida662and they're not used to hurricanes, and the fact that the663family, you know, may be out of state, and so there's a lot of664things that the family can do to prepare their loved ones for665hurricanes.666    You know, we always tell them, make sure they have a plan667in place. You know, make sure you tell your loved ones where668they are, but what's often forgotten is what you brought up is669the fact afterwards, what happens when there is a tree in their670yard? What happens when you have electrical damage, things that671happen, so, you make a great point.672    One of the things that within the Pasco Sheriff's Office,673we're blessed with great members. We do unlicensed contractors674stings. In those unlicensed contractor stings right after the675storms, we'll do them too, because we recognize and we know676that people come in from out of states and different areas of677the state to prey on these senior citizens, so, it's the678education piece that we can do.679    From the federal level, you know, we're always happy when680federal partners come in to assist us because the one problem681that we see from a local level, is that we may be overwhelmed,682whether the lights around different areas and providing683security you know, the linesmen from different power companies684are coming in and so we're providing security for them, but the685more it frees up the local Law enforcement to protect the686senior citizens or any citizens from these unlicensed687contractors, that would allow us to be more proactive out688there, rather than responding because we're being reactive to689the storm and the issues that occurred from the storm.690    Senator Gillibrand. Thank you so much.691    The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Moody. Senator Gillibrand.692    Senator Gillibrand. I'm going to defer my time to Senator693Kim.694    Senator Kim. Thank you. I believe we have Mr. Taylor695virtually. Is that correct? Well look, thank you all for696joining up here. You know, this is something that I've thought697about a lot. You know, one night before I came into the Senate,698I was over in the House of Representatives, but I represented a699district at part of the Jersey Shore, but also had some of the700largest retirement communities in the country, folks that701probably spent half the year down where the chairman lives with702the snowbirds.703    It was very, very important to really recognize both the704issues in terms of disaster preparedness and response but be705able to tailor that in particular to an older community and706understanding what their needs are.707    Mr. Taylor, I just wanted to start with you. If you can708hear me, in your work with the California Governor's Office,709can you share about the importance of involving older Americans710and individuals with disabilities in our disaster planning? How711important is that? What was it from your own experience that712you can shed light on for the rest of us to consider?713    Mr. Taylor. Absolutely. That's a great question, Senator.714Thank you, so, you really hit the nail on the head about the715need to involve not just older adults, but people with716disabilities in the way we plan, so, the emergency management717is bigger than any one group, organization, or agency. The fact718is that in order to help the whole community, we have to719include the whole community.720    One of the practices that we see being most effective is721the development of what we call AFN Advisory Committees. These722are groups that have community-based organizations, advocacy723groups, community representatives that all come to the table to724plan with emergency managers.725    Emergency managers can find out about how well do our726plans--when we're discussing things like communication,727sheltering, evacuation, response, or recovery--how well do728those actually meet the needs of the community? The perspective729is invaluable, in part because we're having a diversity of730lived experience.731    I use a power wheelchair. Anytime I enter a room, I'm732scanning that room for access. Are there ramps, are there733stairs? Can I get around? Chances are, if you walk into that734same room, you probably aren't looking for those same things,735and that's okay. It's not that one's good and the other's bad.736It just means that, based on our individual lived experiences,737we each have a different perspective, and so, we can look at738the same thing and see it differently.739    Bringing these Access and Functioning Advisory Committees740together with emergency managers makes sure that we end up with741a better product.742    Senator Kim. These are advisory committees that would sit743down or meet with the emergency managers to be able to give744feedback into that, and then what is the loop back? You know,745like how does then information get back to the larger community746of seniors, people with disabilities? Because that's one of the747harder things I felt like we saw in terms of just getting that748information out there and best to be able to communicate. I749don't know if you have any best practices, Mr. Taylor?750    Mr. Taylor. Absolutely. One of the challenges that751emergency managers have is we don't know everybody in the whole752community, but when we partner, let's say for example, with753Centers for Independent Living, that are serving individuals754with disabilities, when we partner with area agencies on aging755that are serving older adults, they're able to take these plans756that get developed and help make sure that water gets to the757end of the row. Because you can have the greatest plan, but if758the end user doesn't know how to utilize it, then it's a missed759opportunity for safety, security, and independence.760    Senator Kim. No, that's right, and, one thing, I know my761time's running out, but you know, we had with FEMA before, they762provide courses on inclusive emergency management. We've seen763this both in person and online, and we've seen just over the764years, the in-person courses stopped and now the online765trainings have stopped.766    I think that we should be revisiting some of these types of767tools available for people to understand how to put their768safety and security. First, how to be able to be connected in769and I think this Committee could potentially shine a light on770these different tools to be able to get the word out, and with771that, I'll yield back.772    The Chairman. Thanks Senator Kim. Sheriff, how has your773personal experience, as well as the state's experience with774disasters made your department better equipped to prepare for775senior focused emergencies?776    Mr. Nocco. Thank you, Senator. I believe with the777experience that we've had throughout the years, unfortunately778we've had a lot of hurricanes, a lot of issues where we had779emergency management, have to respond to these calls. I think780with our senior population, there's numerous things that we are781consistently--you know, it's a messaging through TV or through782the radio where we're constantly going out there.783    I think one of the best things we do is we send our784deputies into neighborhoods. When you send your deputies into785the neighborhoods, and you start talking neighbor to neighbor786to say, hey guys, please get out of here. It's time to leave.787It gives them a personal perspective to understand, because I788get it, it takes a lot to have to evacuate.789    There are misnomers of shelters. They all think it's790Katrina again. They think they're going to the Superdome, and791they believe that's what they're going into and they're fearful792of that. They don't want to go into that. It's not until it's793too late that they say we have to leave and get out of the794situation.795    I think it's going out there personally, having deputies796just walk through the neighborhoods, talk to people, tell them,797hey, look, we have deputies at the shelters. This is where you798can go. That has been the greatest impact because we can get on799TV, we can say what we want, it doesn't matter. We can get on800the radios, we can say things, get those messages out there. It801doesn't matter. It's not until you're face to face with802somebody and you explain to them, and then you tell them the803stories of--let me explain to you, and I'll tell you, Senator,804a very quick story.805    When that water in 2023, as it mentioned in the notes, the806water was flowing super high, it was coming up in this house.807It's one story, Florida house, and you've seen numerous of them808as we go through after the storm, the water was rushing up809super high. I'm going in there, it was us and fire rescue,810going house to house, knocking on doors, getting in there, and811there was a husband and wife, elderly couple, and then, you can812see the water rising over the kitchen table as we're in there813and we're like, we got to go. We got to get out of here.814    They're like, well, I need my medicine, I need this and815then I need my cat. Where's the cat? There's a cat jumping on816top of the refrigerator over here. I mean, it's almost--if it817wasn't sad, it was almost comical seeing law enforcement and818firefighters trying to grab this animal. Because We knew they819would not leave without their pet and we were going to get them820out of there.821    We finally get them out of there, but I tell you that story822and the fact that we tell those stories to people that do not823want to evacuate and say, look, you can stay where you are, and824you have that constitutional right and the God-given right to825stay in your house, but we are warning you if you stay in your826house, we may not be able to respond quick enough to save you.827    The Chairman. Yes. Mrs. Pipa, what unique needs of older828Americans does the Red Cross prioritize during disaster829preparedness and response?830    Ms. Pipa. Thank you for the question, Senator. There's a831couple of areas that we focus on. One, and I think we've hit on832this a couple times, is meeting the older Americans where they833are, and making sure that you have readily accessible and834easily consumable training to help them prepare themselves.835    Unfortunately, in a lot of places, we find that folks are836not open to preparedness messaging until they've been impacted837by a disaster. They tend to be much more receptive to it after838that, which is an unfortunate circumstance, and so, we do want839to capture them and if we've had five hurricanes in Florida840over the last couple of years, it's important to then take that841opportunity.842    The same point - it is sharing stories. It's helping folks843understand it's also older Americans teaching older Americans,844right? If I send a 23-year-old in to do a preparedness for845older Americans, I don't know that that's going to land as well846as if it's a fellow older American who speaks with authenticity847and credibility there, so that's a major part of it.848    It's also really important that we know that there are849caregivers out there. We want to make sure that the caregivers850are well prepared, that they can take care of themselves and851they can take care of the patient in their charge.852    Too often we see folks dropped off at American Red Cross853shelters that might have had home healthcare, but they're then854presented at a shelter and they don't have any of that support855that comes along with them, right? Making sure that we get them856connected back into their communities, but thinking about the857caregivers and the burden and the pressure that they feel as858well to take care of these older Americans if they have to859evacuate, thinking through that process and helping them plan860for that.861    Then the most important thing is talking to older Americans862and asking them how they want to be prepared. How can we best863communicate this message? How do we get at the last 10 yards?864Sometimes it's brute force, it's door to door, convincing865people to take good preparedness actions. Sometimes it's866somebody sharing their own personal experience to help prepare867people so that they are not impacted in the same negative way.868    The Chairman. Thank you. Ranking Member Gillibrand.869    Senator Gillibrand. Thank you. Mr. Vance Taylor, I've been870working on a Strategic Plan for Aging for a while in the last871Congress. My bill amends the Older Americans Act, to require872the Assistant Secretary for Aging to award grants to states,873Indian tribes and tribal organizations, to create or implement874strategic plans for aging and aging with a disability.875    In 2024, it was reported that 10 states have a strategic876plan for aging. Six states have authorized a multi-sector plan877for aging. Twenty-one states are interested in or actively878planning multi-sector plans for aging. California's plan was879introduced in 2021, and California has the fourth largest880economy and has financial resources that other states do not881have.882    Can you talk a little bit about how the California Plan for883Aging has helped ensure that disaster preparation considers the884needs of older adults and people with disabilities and885functional needs? Also, do you think that other states need886federal support to implement their own strategic plans for887aging since they don't necessarily have the same resources that888you do?889    Mr. Taylor. Yes, absolutely, so, as you know, a core aim of890any master plan for aging is really to ensure that older adults891and people with disabilities can live independently in the892communities that they choose, but reaching that goal really893does require more than the traditional public health approach,894right? It demands a disaster preparedness strategy reflects895today's threat landscape.896    California's master plan takes a whole community approach,897engaging state and local agencies alongside community898organizations to integrate safety and independence into899inclusive emergency planning at really every level. While900California provides a strong model, many states, to your point,901lack the resources, staffing, or technical capacity to follow902suit.903    Without federal support, they simply cannot build or904implement strategic plans for aging that meet these critical905needs, so, every state has older adults, every state has people906with disabilities and every state faces disasters. This really907is about safety and dignity and independence, and it requires908sustained local and federal investment.909    Senator Gillibrand. Thank you. Can you talk a little bit910about some of the challenges for older Americans or people with911disabilities who have language access issues? One of our912challenges in New York State--where's the camera? Where should913I be looking when I'm addressing Mr. Taylor? Do we know? I feel914like I'm not looking at him, so, do we know where the camera915is?916    Mr. Taylor. I see you, Senator.917    Senator Gillibrand. Oh, I see where you are now. Good, so,918we had a lot of trouble during one of the natural disasters in919New York when there was massive flooding, and because we didn't920have enough communication in multiple languages, a lot of the921senior citizens died because they didn't evacuate from922basements where they were sleeping or they just didn't get out923in time. Just as you described Sheriff and how this happens.924    I've advocated for the expansion of language access for the925wireless emergency alerts. Can you speak about the importance926of ensuring the alert systems are accessible to older adults927and people with disabilities and functional needs?928    Mr. Taylor. Yes. That's huge, right? If you don't know929what's coming, then you can't run, you can't prepare, you can't930be safe. You can't be secure, so, we had one incident where,931it's the middle of the night, there's a wildfire, a big debate932about, hey, should the jurisdiction alert or not alert? They933don't want to create panic. They don't want to congest the934evacuation zone. Ultimately, they chose not to.935    What got lost in that discussion was what the impact was936going to be for individuals in that jurisdiction who were deaf.937When deaf people go to sleep at night, they put their phone938under their pillow or on their body. That way, if an alert939comes in, it vibrates and they wake up, but the alert didn't go940out, so the phone didn't vibrate, and so they slept as fires941raged around them. For some of them, by the time family and942friends were able to reach out, it was tragically too late.943    At the end of the day, this issue about accessible alerting944and formats and languages is about whether people live or die.945Whether they're safe or left behind. They have to know what's946coming or they don't have a chance.947    Senator Gillibrand. Well, thank you Mr. Taylor. Thank you,948Mr. Chairman.949    The Chairman. All right. Senator Warnock.950    Senator Warnock. Thank you, Chair Scott, and Ranking Member951Gillibrand, for holding this important hearing. Ms. Pipa, I952want to start by thanking you for your service at the Red953Cross. In your roles with the Red Cross, is it your experience954that older adults face unique risks during disasters,955particularly related to evacuation, medical care, and956communication?957    Ms. Pipa. Thank you for the question. Absolutely. Here's958what we see a lot of times. Folks tend to believe that they can959rely on their family that's local to help them as well. That is960not always the case. There have been experiences that I've had,961where I've visited an older American in a shelter and I've962asked him how he's doing, and he said he's okay. I said, well,963how's your family? Where is your family? Well, they're local964too? Well, were they impacted? They were, how come you're here965at the shelter and your family is not? They didn't have enough966room for him.967    That's a heartbreaking situation, both for that older968American and for his family. They're all trying to recover, and969so, we know that older Americans look to their families, look970to their neighbors, look to their friends to help as well, and971they want to return back to the home that they came from, and972sometimes that's possible and unfortunately, sometimes that's973not.974    When you're reliant on a standard schedule or a repeatable975day-to-day activity and a disaster takes that away from you, it976challenges you from a cognitive, from a physical standpoint,977and so, we see older Americans really struggle to make better978decisions after for their recovery, to put them in a place979where they can access the resources they need.980    We all know that recovery is a long, long journey. It is981complex and there are lots of pieces to it. To be able to knit982that together for yourself and help yourself navigate through983that is something we see older Americans struggle with. That's984where we use our case work and our volunteers to walk alongside985them, to make sure that they've connected with their doctor and986gotten an emergency refill on their medication. If they had a987medical assistance device, how do we help them acquire that988again and get them back to the independent living that they so989desire at that moment in time?990    Understanding that critically pairing them with medical991professionals that help make those decisions and help them992navigate that situation as well as our caseworkers is something993we do, and we're seeing it happen more and more and more, and994we're seeing more older Americans turn to us to help us995navigate that system, because their families sometimes cannot.996    Senator Warnock. Given that experience, would you agree997that robust investment in disaster preparedness can make the998difference, maybe even between life and death, especially in999communities with aging populations?1000    Ms. Pipa. Absolutely. I think sometimes folks take for1001granted that they can evacuate quickly. We have to be thinking1002about older Americans, about access and functional needs, and1003about what they need in terms of support to actually heed that1004evacuation order when it comes or when it's a notice that they1005have to evacuate quickly that they're able to, it's critical.1006    Senator Warnock. Yes. Well, hurricane Helene killed nearly1007200 Americans, and I've fought so hard to secure over $6001008million in federal funding for Georgians and their communities1009to help us recover, rebuild, and better prepare for the next1010storm. These storms are coming more frequent, they're getting1011stronger and stronger.1012    That's why I'm so alarmed by this administration's plan to1013gut FEMA and federal programs that help older Americans prepare1014for disaster strikes. These aren't just budget choices, they're1015in fact as your experience bears out, a matter of life and1016death. Just last month, the Trump Administration canceled a $301017million flood reduction grant for my hometown of Savannah,1018Georgia, that would've saved 180 million in post-disaster1019recovery costs, but they killed the program or canceled a $301020million grant because they said it was too focused on the1021climate, even as we see these storms get stronger and stronger.1022    That means senior citizens in Savannah, including my1023mother, are now less protected from deadly floods just because1024Donald Trump doesn't believe in climate change. Ms. Pipa, in1025your experience at the Red Cross, when seniors are isolated1026during a flooding disaster like the flooding Savannah was1027trying to prevent before the Trump Administration canceled1028their funding, how does that isolation amplify the unique risk1029seniors already faced during a disaster?1030    Ms. Pipa. Seniors count on their social network and their1031connectedness to their neighbors and their families, and if1032that is torn away from them, and if they're left in isolation,1033we do see them struggle. Simple day-to-day tasks like taking1034your medication on time or things like that.1035    Even when they come to an American Red Cross shelter, we1036see the same thing. We have disrupted their lives. They are not1037prepared for what is coming, and this is absolutely critical1038that we help position and educate these folks so that they are1039the absolute best prepared and that their community members are1040educated so that they can step in and help as well. Because it1041doesn't just have to be the American Cross Red Cross. It has to1042be all of our nonprofit partners who can step up to the table1043to help.1044    Senator Warnock. Thank you for all of your work in disaster1045preparedness and working with our seniors.1046    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Warnock. Sheriff, Nocco,1047what are the biggest challenges law enforcement faces when1048evacuating or assisting older adults during a disaster?1049    Mr. Nocco. Thank you, Senator, so, the nice thing is1050partnerships, especially at the local level. I will tell you;1051fire rescue Pasco does a phenomenal job. If there's somebody1052who cannot get on public transportation and public1053transportation will go to people's houses.1054    When you're talking about emergency situations, you're1055talking about preparedness, the local government is the heart1056of where it happens at. We're blessed to have partners like the1057Red Cross and everybody to come in, but your local government1058is the one that really does it. Because we know the community,1059we know what's going on, so, you know, when there's people that1060want to be evacuated, fire rescue will go out there. Or if they1061can walk and they can move on their own, then pass through1062public transportation.1063    The thing for law enforcement is that we go into secure1064neighborhoods. We'll make sure we're safe. Because that's the1065other thing, especially we see that with our senior population,1066they are so scared to leave because they think people are going1067to break into their houses, and so that is something that, from1068our standpoint, from law enforcement, you know, we start1069shifting our deputies to start working what we refer to as1070Alpha Bravo, which is 12-hour shifts, because we understand a1071big part of evacuation is-a big part of leaving, is that peace1072of mind. That peace of mind, that their house is going to be1073safe.1074    Another great lesson learned is, especially in all our1075populations, is to turn your power off when you leave that1076house, but I can't stress enough, you know, we talk up here and1077I appreciate from a federal standpoint, how can you help? The1078biggest thing from us is that we emphasize that emergency1079management starts at the local level.1080    We know where places are, we know where people need help,1081and we can speak to them from a common language because we live1082there, and I will tell you from an example of recovery of1083search and rescue, where when you bring in federal partners,1084they're great to have, but at the same time, they don't know1085our community.1086    The National Guard was deploying on their vehicles, going1087out to different areas, and we are telling them, you need us in1088the trucks with you because if we don't ride with you, we can't1089tell you where the low-lying areas are, where the flooding1090areas are, so, I can't emphasize that enough.1091    As you talk about emergency management, as you talk about1092federal assistance and federal help, and how can the Federal1093Government assist us, it's by supporting the local government.1094Because we know what we're doing. We've done enough and we know1095our communities.1096    The Chairman. Can you give me an example of how local1097partnerships, for example, churches or veterans groups or1098community centers help protect seniors during the storm?1099    Mr. Nocco. Senator, that is a great point. When you talk1100about the partnerships, especially with the faith-based1101community, we always talk about the word trust. You know, they1102trust a deputy, they trust us to go out there when we tell them1103it's time to evacuate, they'll trust fire rescue. They'll1104especially trust their church, the members of their church to1105say, shelter here.1106    If we want to look into the future about where we can spend1107federal resources, it's strengthening shelters, the schools,1108but even the churches, because the churches can make great1109shelters. They just need generators; they need hurricane impact1110windows. They just need to be built up a little bit, but you1111want to talk about that trust that they will say, I will leave1112my house because I trust the law enforcement will protect it,1113but I trust my church. I'm a part of my church.1114    You know what, they're going to get support. Because that1115is a heartbreaking story when you hear that somebody's in a1116shelter and their family lives down the street, but they're not1117going to have them. Well, the other part of their family is1118their church, and if they are there with their church or there1119with their synagogue, they're there with people that they1120trust, that's going to allow them to leave. Because it's almost1121like a community meeting together, and they're going to support1122each other, they're going to love on each other. They're going1123to help each other through this disaster.1124    The Chairman. When we've opened up shelters in Florida, has1125it been successful to have the National Guard there on top of1126local law enforcement and the Red Cross and others?1127    Mr. Nocco. Yes, Senator. The more we can bring resources1128into those shelters, the better off we are. The National Guard1129is even more successful when they're deployed with us because1130we put deputies into shelters. I will tell you; those shelters1131turn into little cities. The Pasco school district does a great1132job feeding them, housing them, law enforcement's there to1133protect them. Fire Rescue started this program where they stay1134in there too, so they have medical assistance, and when the Red1135Cross and everybody's there to support them, it's great because1136it, it builds that community, and so it's a great point.1137    The National Guard, we thank them for their services,1138coming down to assist us when the storms occur. We love it when1139they're more flexible because the--sometimes, and this becomes1140a bureaucratic issue. They are on mission. If their mission1141changes, it becomes a whole storyline to try to get them to1142help you to do something because they have to change their1143mission.1144    You talk about one of the things that beyond, and I know1145it's not on this Committee, but this affects all of us in law1146enforcement, fire rescue, emergency first responders. It's the1147reimbursement policies from the Federal Government. FEMA1148reimbursements, I will tell you, is a disaster, and that is an1149issue that we consistently deal with and it goes back to the1150local levels. How can you support us on a local level? It's1151streamlining operations, getting that funding there quicker and1152allowing us to help those shelters. Like you said, the more we1153can make those shelters more desirable to go to, the better off1154we are.1155    The one thing too is, I know people want to leave that1156shelter immediately as soon as the storm's over. They can't--or1157the wind's down, can we leave yet? We tell them, we got it, but1158let us go back and make sure it's safe to go back to where you1159came from.1160    The Chairman. Thank you. Ranking Member.1161    Senator Gillibrand. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Pipa, you1162know, we've heard a lot of stories about what happens during1163the disaster, and I've met so many older New Yorkers who just1164have lost everything. What do we do for them after they've lost1165everything? How do we try to make sure they can have1166independence if they've lost their home, as you've said, if1167they've lost their church, as you've said, if they've lost1168their animals, if they've lost their medicine or their license1169or their credit cards? Like just existing without all the1170things that keep you in your home and independent is very1171difficult, what advice do you have for this Committee about1172assuring these seniors can have independence after a disaster?1173    Ms. Pipa. Part of it is making sure that as you move from1174that response to that recovery kind of continuum, is that there1175is an infrastructure in place that can help support them and1176move forward. We see folks present a lot of times at our1177shelters. If the healthcare system has been compromised, it may1178not be that they can't stay in their home, but access to1179medical professionals and supplies and personnel is something1180that drives them actually to show up in an American Red Cross1181shelter, not that they can't stay in their home anymore.1182    As we move them through that continuum, and we help them1183find their next step on that recovery journey, making sure that1184they're reconnecting with the work and the folks that were1185helping them beforehand, because they tend to get disconnected1186and they have a hard time reconnecting with that person or that1187entity to help continue to move them forward.1188    That could be social service entities, it could be faith-1189based entities that help. It could be a local senior center1190right, that they come to and they report to. We have to1191understand the makeup and the fabric of that community and then1192work with those specific entities, either local government or1193nonprofit, to make sure that they're robust enough and they're1194stable enough that they're ready to take care of those folks as1195they continue to move forward.1196    We will take care of them and walk with them through their1197response and recovery journey, but we're not experts in all1198those fields. We have a well-defined mission. There's so much1199more beyond that that these folks need. We need to make sure1200that we are not leaving before that infrastructure is in place1201so that they can continue their recovery. They don't slip1202through the cracks as they continue their journey.1203    Senator Gillibrand. Have you ever used or heard of, for1204either the Sheriff or Ms. Pipa, of before a disaster, asking1205older Americans, or anyone frankly, to create a plan? Like, you1206know, when you're about to deliver a baby, you pack a bag and1207the bag has everything you're going to need for three days.1208    Do we ever tell older Americans or people with disabilities1209"pack a bag, have it ready, have all your medicines in it, have1210it all your phone numbers in it, pack your wallet, pack your1211identification, pack your passport, or whatever IDs you have,1212put them in a go bag by the door, so if there needs to be1213evacuation, you're ready." Like, does that ever happen before a1214hurricane or before big storms where they think there might be1215flooding?1216    I mean, I've tried to help my parents, particularly my1217father who's in Florida, who doesn't want to leave his home1218before a hurricane. He wants to ride it out every time, and1219obviously that creates enormous anxiety for his family who are1220trying to get him to leave, but in those instances, when he1221doesn't leave, is there a way to get them prepared before?1222    Ms. Pipa. That is my lived experience with both my in-laws1223and my parents as well. They--and to the sheriff's point, it's1224about even if their home is destroyed, they want to get back1225afterwards to protect whatever might be recoverable. They just1226want to understand.1227    I think for us, it's really important to make sure that1228they've got that kit. For some folks, that's a financial1229burden, right? If you're asking them to put three days of food1230aside and water and excess medication, and so, what we also try1231to do is kind of incrementally chunk it out to say, you don't1232have to build your go bag today, but let's have a plan over the1233next four months that helps you acquire the pieces of that bag1234so that you're not experiencing that financial burden of1235putting the go bag together.1236    The other thing we do a lot of nowadays, and I actually do1237this myself and my go bag, is I have a list of things that1238might expire, and so, they may not sit in my go bag, but that1239list sits at the very top of my go bag, and that is the first1240thing I look at to make sure I have to pull those items in and1241put them in the bag.1242    Senator Gillibrand. You are super prepared. Sheriff, what1243are your thoughts on that? Then Mr. Taylor, I'm going to ask1244you the same questions.1245    Mr. Nocco. Thank you, Senator, so, it is a great point and1246lessons learned throughout the storms, so, I understand that1247many Americans have routines in their lives and especially as1248they get older, the routines, that's what they live by, is my1249routine, and so, to disrupt that routine, to say have a go bag1250ready to go, may make them feel uncomfortable as we explain1251them saying the needs for it, but we actually do that. It's a1252great point because we do that before the storm.1253    The nice thing about hurricanes at least, is we usually get1254several days? notice that they're coming, so that's what gives1255us the ability to start saying things, and so, we say build1256that go bag up, go to the pharmacy, the pharmacy will usually1257give you the extra drugs because they understand that, you1258know, during the storm, right after the storm, those1259convenience stores, the drug stores may be down, so, we say, go1260get your extra drugs.1261    The one thing which we often tell people and make sure you1262do not forget, because they always will, and it's their1263lifeline, is their charger. They'll remember their phone, but1264they'll forget the charger, so, we say, make sure you bring1265your charger, make sure you have several days of clothes. Make1266sure you have those phone numbers.1267    The biggest thing that we also tell people is make sure you1268tell your loved ones where they are. Such as in your case, you1269know, having your father in Florida, you're out of state, is1270that this is where I'm going to be. One thing that we face, and1271I can imagine the shelters face this later on after we get the1272calls, is they don't know where their loved ones are. They may1273have gone to a shelter. Well then, the first thing they do is1274they call for a welfare check.1275    They call the sheriff's office up, you know, during the1276storm, right after the storm and say, I can't get ahold of my1277loved one, where are they? Even if the winds are high, even if1278we can't get out there, it's how we are and what we're built1279of, to go out there into those worst-case scenarios to find1280people, so, you're putting people lives, first responders lives1281at risk by not telling them where you're going.1282    That's actually part of the kit that doesn't go into the1283kit, but it's part of your planning process to tell people1284where you are at all times. Because people are nervous, they're1285stressed, they're out of state, and I can imagine they watch1286the news, which makes them even more stressful, so that's part1287of the go kit.1288    A hundred percent, it's one of those things where we're out1289there pushing that message. Because I go back to stories where1290water starts rising, we don't have time, and we just say, have1291credit cards, cash medicine, and your charger, let's roll, and1292then we take them out the door, and those are the situations1293that make it better for first responders if people had those go1294kits ready.1295    Senator Gillibrand. Mr. Taylor, if you could answer both1296the questions. The first one was how do people with1297disabilities and older Americans reestablish their independence1298after a storm, what are the tried-and-true practices that1299you've seen that work?1300    Then how do we engage our seniors to prepare better before1301a storm? If they are being rescued in the middle of the storm1302because the water's rising, they have the key things they need,1303like their phone, their charger, their medicine, the phone1304numbers they'll need to call someone.1305    Mr. Taylor. Yes, so, if we're talking about after a1306disaster, how do they get their lives back together? I think we1307have to look at the incredible role that partners like FEMA,1308the ACL play in that capacity, right? Because it's when they go1309to a disaster recovery center and they're able to apply for1310those programs that are going to benefit their lives. Not just1311in terms of things like perhaps rental assistance or other1312needs assistance, but it's really their first major step to1313getting into that recovery process and system, so that's1314absolutely essential.1315    If we're looking at before the disaster strikes, then we're1316going to look at things like training, right? Because you're1317exactly right. People forget their chargers. You know what1318charger they forget? Their wheelchair charger. I can't tell you1319how many times I go to a shelter and people say, I don't have1320my wheelchair charger, because of course they're leaving and1321there's no time to think of everything, so, we have to engage1322them beforehand, and that comes through training.1323    One of the things that we see, is when we train with the1324whole community on these specific items, that message gets1325socialized. Everybody does better, but not every jurisdiction1326is well resourced, and so that's when things like grants,1327especially from federal partners, play a really key role1328because there are tried and true ways to empower older adults.1329There are tried and true ways to empower individuals with1330disabilities, but it oftentimes requires a certain level of1331investment, that not all jurisdictions can bear on their own.1332    I think promoting those best practices is essential. I1333think part of it is just having a bold goal, right. It's 2025,1334so we're no longer going to accept that people are going to die1335in their homes simply because they lack the capability or1336capacity to run for help.1337    Senator Gillibrand. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1338    The Chairman. Mr. Vance Taylor, what tools or techniques or1339technologies do you use to reach older adults who may not be1340digitally connected?1341    Mr. Taylor. Yes, it's interesting when we talk about1342technology, I would not traditionally consider myself to be an1343older adult, but if you talk to my daughters, they will say,1344based on my technology challenges, I'm absolutely in that1345category. We have to understand that there's such thing as a1346digital divide.1347    First off, not everybody has access to a smartphone and1348internet and apps and everybody's ability to use those1349effectively is going to be different as well, and so, in order1350to make sure that we close that divide, we absolutely have to1351meet people where they are.1352    A big part of that is working with community-based1353organizations that serve older adults and serve people with1354disabilities. Help them navigate these processes to put things1355together in plain language, to develop not just online1356trainings, which are great, but in-person deliveries as well.1357    To support the communities through everything from CERT-1358type programs where we're conducting local trainings and1359knocking on doors, and for example, FEMA, when there's a major1360declaration, they'll actually go out and canvas neighborhoods,1361right? They'll go out and they'll literally meet people where1362they are to make sure that they get the information that they1363need in order to be safe and secure and resilient.1364    We have to take a multi-pronged approach, and take as many1365bites as we can on that same apple, in order to move the needle1366in what I feel is a very meaningful way.1367    The Chairman. Thank you. Ms. Pipa, are there any Florida1368specific initiatives or partnerships that Red Cross uses to1369assist our state's large senior population?1370    Ms. Pipa. We're working directly in Florida with a couple1371of different--I'm sorry, Senator, will you repeat the question1372again for me?1373    The Chairman. Is there anything specifically you do with1374our senior population in Florida that just--is our State any1375different? Do you have anything that Red Cross is different in1376Florida?1377    Ms. Pipa. Unfortunately, given that Florida's been visited1378by several hurricanes over the last couple of years, we've had1379the opportunity to refine some of ours and add some new pilots.1380One of the pilots we just added post Hurricane Ian is we have a1381program that allows us to install free smoke alarms in homes if1382they need them, in order to save a life or prevent injury due1383to house fires.1384    We know that the 10 minutes we get in that person's living1385room is gold in terms of education, and while we want to1386educate them on how to evacuate their home during a house fire,1387because that's our most frequent disaster, we now combine that1388with in-person education about the most likely disaster that1389that family is going to experience, and in Florida, it's1390disasters.1391    There's a special kind of, think of it as a curated piece1392of that program that is specifically directed toward families1393based on the type of disaster that they're most likely going to1394have. We developed that as an outcome of some of the findings1395we had in Florida with the feedback that we got from the1396communities about how to better prepare, and now we're not only1397using that there, but we're using that along all of our1398hurricane states to help better prepare our families there.1399    The Chairman. Thanks. Ranking Member, do you have anything?1400    Senator Gillibrand. Do you want me to do my closing1401statement or do you want more questions?1402    The Chairman. Yes, you can do yours and I'll do mine.1403    Senator Gillibrand. Well, I just want to thank you all for1404this excellent testimony. We have a lot of work to do. I feel1405like we have covered a huge amount of topics. I want to thank1406you for the hearing, Chairman Scott. I think we learned about1407the importance of inclusive disaster preparedness strategies1408and how to improve outcomes for older adults and people with1409disabilities.1410    We also discussed the importance of safeguarding federal1411resources that allow states and localities to create and enact1412robust and inclusive disaster response.1413    Our current trends cannot continue. We have to do better,1414and I know we will do better, especially with the information1415we gleaned from this hearing. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1416    The Chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member. I want to thank1417everybody for being here today. I want to thank our witnesses.1418I look forward to working with our members across the aisle. If1419any Senator has additional questions for the witnesses or1420statements to be added, the hearing record will be open until1421next Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. I want to thank everybody for being1422here today, and this was very informative. Thanks.1423    [Whereupon, at 4:45 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]14241425=======================================================================14261427                                APPENDIX14281429=======================================================================14301431                      Prepared Witness Statements14321433=======================================================================14341435                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging14361437  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"14381439                              May 14, 202514401441                      Prepared Witness Statements14421443                              Chris Nocco14441445    My name is Chris Nocco and I have the distinct honor of1446serving as the Sheriff of Pasco County, Florida, a county just1447north of Tampa Bay on Florida's gulf with a population of1448approximately 750,000, with 22% of that population being 651449years of age or older.1450    I would be remiss if I did not note today that I was first1451appointed Sheriff in 2011 by your fantastic Chairman and1452Florida's Senior Senator, Senator Rick Scott. Senator Scott,1453when he was our Governor in Florida, guided our state through1454unprecedented storms and hurricane seasons and the impact he1455left on preparedness, execution, public private partnerships,1456and emergency response is still saving lives and property in1457Florida today.1458    I would also be remiss to not note the outstanding1459partnership that we had when another one of your Committee1460members, Senator Ashley Moody, was Florida's Attorney General.1461Senator Moody was a leader in scam prevention, price gouging,1462unlicensed contracting and other issues that impact all of our1463citizens, but especially our senior population, as they both1464prepare and recover from hurricanes.1465    With that, over the last year, our Pasco County community1466faced, in short succession, the threat of Hurricanes Debby,1467Helene and Milton. With more than 24 miles of coastline, Pasco1468County has unique challenges from these storms, even though1469none of them made direct landfall in Pasco County.1470    As Debby and Helene moved north through the Gulf of1471America, within 100 miles of Pasco County's coast, storm surge1472was pushed ashore, greatly impacting the more than 50,0001473residents of Pasco County who live west of US19. This area of1474our county is home to many seniors and has a direct impact on1475them.1476    In the overnight hours of September 25 and September 26, as1477Hurricane Helene moved north just off of our coastline, I1478joined members of the Pasco Sheriff's Office and Pasco County1479Fire Rescue as we conducted active water rescues. We were also1480joined by the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard,1481whose assistance was invaluable.1482    In those overnight hours, we were able to rescue more than1483100 people from rapidly rising storm surge which ultimately1484crested at near record levels. Anecdotally, we were told by the1485National Guard that they had a vehicle rated for 18-feet of1486water that was unable to pass any further after encountering1487water in one of our neighborhoods.1488    I myself witnessed individuals who had climbed on roofs to1489avoid the rapidly rising storm surge. In one instance, a1490female, her small child and elderly relatives, had climbed to1491the roof of their three-story multifamily housing unit and were1492awaiting rescue.1493    This speaks directly to the need to follow local emergency1494management officials and orders, such as evacuation, especially1495for the most vulnerable amongst our community.1496    That is furthered by another example of a water rescue call1497for service we received from a hurricane in 2023 and, when we1498responded to the elderly couple with a boat to rescue them from1499their rapidly flooding house, they were not prepared and still1500needed to gather various medications and family pets.1501    We encourage everyone, if you do not heed local evacuation1502orders, to be prepared to go when you do make that decision, or1503you risk your life as well as the lives of first responders.1504Waiting for preparation to occur with rapidly rising1505floodwaters is not feasible for any party involved.1506    In these instances, our first priority is life safety and1507rescue, as you can imagine, all resources we have become1508involved in these rescue operations. Even with that, without1509the support of the National Guard, Coast Guard, Florida State1510Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, we would1511not have been able to be as successful as we were with everyone1512rescued and no lives lost.1513    The resources that the state and our partner federal1514agencies, such as the National Guard and Coast Guard, can bring1515with them to these disaster response situations is invaluable1516for local governments, many of which, Pasco County included, do1517not have the funding available to purchase these response1518capabilities ourselves.1519    Hurricane Milton, which impacted our community in October1520of last year, presented a different challenge. As Milton made1521landfall south of Tampa Bay, we did not immediately see large1522impacts. However, as Milton moved through the center of our1523state in a northern direction, dropping rain on already1524saturated rivers and other bodies of water, riverine flooding1525became a significant issue.1526    Several days after Milton made landfall, and facing record1527levels of flooding on several rivers in Pasco County, we were1528again called in for water rescues as rivers began pouring out1529of their banks into communities, especially in the Enclave1530neighborhood in Wesley Chapel, in eastern Pasco County.1531    Again, without the assistance of our state and federal1532partners, this rescue operation would not have been as1533successful as it was.1534    Through the duration of all three of these storms, we,1535along with state and federal partners, were able to respond to1536more than 300 flooding related calls for service and rescue1537more than 500 people from rising flood waters and storm surge.1538    However, it is my opinion that law enforcement and1539emergency response must continue to advance and embrace rapidly1540evolving technologies. Items such as drones provide invaluable1541benefits to disaster preparedness, response and recovery while1542also providing local governments with efficiencies.1543    For example, the Pasco Sheriff's Office is proud of the1544partnerships we have established with both Axon and Skydio, two1545companies leading the way in emerging technology for drones and1546law enforcement. With drones, pre-storm and post-storm mapping1547can be done in a matter of hours in a much more cost-efficient1548manner than the old method of flying a helicopter.1549    In addition, with numerous drones, we can evaluate multiple1550situations at the same time which allows us to make faster and1551more accurate decisions to save lives.1552    Helicopters, by the sheer nature of their fuel consumption1553and maintenance costs, are significantly more expensive to1554operate than drones. As local governments are faced with tough1555financial decisions, drones can be more beneficial and cost1556effective when used for emergency preparedness and response,1557especially when it comes to pre- and post-storm mapping and the1558monitoring of flood waters.1559    A prime example of this occurred during the riverine1560flooding caused by Hurricane Milton that I discussed just a bit1561ago. Through drones, we were able to actively monitor river1562gauges and levels upstream, which allowed us to relay this1563information to communities downstream and warn them of what was1564coming.1565    This information provided by drones allowed us to prepare1566our community and, I believe, again, saved lives.1567    There will always be a need for helicopters for rescuing1568individuals but the combination of our use of drones with our1569aviation unit has proven invaluable.1570    I would be remiss if I did not thank the outstanding men1571and women of the Pasco Sheriff's Office, the first responders1572and medical personnel in Tampa Bay and the state of Florida,1573along with the other agencies from across the country that came1574in to assist. Make no mistake, when things are at their worst,1575public safety in Florida is at its best.1576    With little sleep and in miserable conditions, they1577persevere through numerous storms to ensure the safety of our1578citizens.1579    To our citizens, their support and cooperation with public1580safety is an understatement. We know that their safety is1581paramount, along with providing them a sense of relief that1582there are brave women and men prepared to protect them and1583their families when times are catastrophic.1584    I also want to thank our own Pasco Sheriff's Office1585volunteer units for their assistance and look forward to the1586future as we continue to build out these units with more prior1587military, law enforcement, fire rescue and other citizens who1588have unique skill sets that will provide us with greater1589capabilities to address emergency situations.1590    For the power company employees in the great state of1591Florida and those that travel in, along with those in the1592gasoline and diesel supply chain, thank you. They are unsung1593heroes, but without them we cannot get back to the quality of1594life that makes public safety's job that much easier.1595    And last, but most importantly, is our thanks to our1596heavenly Lord, Jesus Christ. Through Him all things are1597possible, and we pray and ask for His protection in this1598upcoming hurricane season.1599    With that, I thank you for allowing me to present here1600today and I look forward to your questions.16011602                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging16031604  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"16051606                              May 14, 202516071608                      Prepared Witness Statements16091610                             Jennifer Pippa16111612    Good afternoon, Chairman Scott, Ranking member Gillibrand1613and distinguished members of the Committee. Thank you for the1614privilege of testifying before you today on behalf of the1615American Red Cross. We commend the Committee for holding this1616much-needed hearing on the unique challenges facing older1617Americans and how to help them prepare for disasters.1618    My name is Jennifer Pipa, and I serve as the vice president1619of Disaster Programs for the American Red Cross. In this role,1620I oversee our national preparedness, response, and recovery1621programs.1622    Among the most significant challenges the American Red1623Cross encounters in our disaster work is meeting the needs of1624older Americans impacted by disasters. Nearly 20 percent of1625Americans are in the 65-and-older age group, and the current1626growth of the population ages 65 and older is unprecedented in1627U.S. history. This increase in the population of older1628Americans comes at a time when more frequent and costly1629disasters are becoming the "new normal" in the United States.1630The intersection of these trends an aging population and1631significantly more disasters should concern all of us.1632    Recent research has found that older adults are more1633vulnerable and experience more casualties after natural1634disasters compared to other age groups. In 2020, members of the1635American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and the American1636Academy of Nursing Policy Expert Round Table on Emergency/1637Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults produced a report1638entitled "Closing the Gaps: Advancing Disaster Preparedness,1639Response and Recovery for Older Adults." Among other finding,1640the report documents a growing demand for services among older1641Americans due to the increased prevalence of chronic health1642conditions, living in social isolation, and experiencing1643declines in cognitive and physical functioning. It is1644imperative that we continue to understand the growing needs of1645our aging population and create services and programs to meet1646older Americans where they are and help them to continue to1647prepare for any disaster.1648    Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the New York Times1649reported that nearly half of those who died because of the1650storm were age 65 or older. Sadly, many of those who lost their1651lives, drowned at home, or died from storm-related injuries.1652The 2018 Camp Fire, which burned for 18 days in Paradise,1653California, resulted in 85 deaths. Many of the victims were1654elderly or had disabilities. The average age of those who died1655was 72. In 2023, more than two-thirds of the 102 confirmed1656victims of the 2023 Maui fires were over the age of 60. Last1657year, Hurricane Helene caused at least 250 deaths in the United1658States, with many being elderly individuals. The storm's impact1659was particularly severe on older adults. In North Carolina, for1660instance, two out of every three deaths from Hurricane Helene1661were among adults aged 60 or older.1662    As part of the world's largest humanitarian network, the1663American Red Cross is called to help communities prepare,1664respond, and recover from disasters. We make a vital difference1665for families and communities in the United States and around1666the world who are coping with the impacts of disasters,1667including more frequent and intense storms, heavier rainfall,1668extended droughts, extreme heat, and devastating wildfires.1669    The American Red Cross works actively alongside partners at1670all levels, including state and federal government, to execute1671our mission of alleviating human suffering in the face of1672emergencies. This includes our role in delivering national1673response and preparedness programs across all 50 states and1674territories, and our efforts every day within local1675communities, to ensure those who need us the most are best1676prepared.1677    Over the course of our nearly 145-year history, the1678American Red Cross has adapted to meet the changing needs of1679the people we serve, but the mission of the American Red Cross1680continues to be driven by the mobilization of the power of1681volunteers and through the generosity of our donors. Red Cross1682volunteers and staff work to deliver vital services every day1683across the country to help individuals, families, businesses,1684and schools be better prepared for life s challenges. Each year1685we respond to more than 60,000 disasters, a vast majority of1686which are home fires, as well as the recurrence of the more1687extreme-weather events such as wildfires, extreme heat,1688hurricanes, and flooding. We also collect and distribute about168940 percent of the nation s blood supply; teach lifesaving1690skills; and provide more than 240,000 services to veterans,1691military members, and their families annually. Whether the need1692is large or small, the American Red Cross will be there.1693    The increase in frequency, and impact from disasters is1694challenging the American Red Cross to think differently around1695the way we fulfill our mission. This challenge has created an1696environment of opportunity to innovate and adapt the way we1697deliver our existing services and programs. Our ability to1698engage and empower communities before, during, and after1699disasters is central to our success. One of the keys to that1700success is community mobilization. At the American Red Cross,1701we support communities and work alongside them to build1702resilience by empowering community members to prepare for1703disasters and support one another when disasters occur.1704    As we see a growth in the number of older Americans across1705the United States, we need to understand that the effects that1706disasters have on older Americans, do not end when the storm is1707over. People over 65 make up nearly 10 percent of American Red1708Cross emergency shelter populations after disaster evacuations1709have lifted. Our responders often encounter elderly disaster1710survivors living in badly damaged homes or in dwellings without1711power and water. These survivors regularly express fear that1712they will lose their homes and property if they leave, and, in1713some cases, we encounter older survivors who have not been able1714to manage the task associated with getting to a shelter or1715finding safer temporary housing.1716    I have sadly experienced many disasters. However, one1717experience in Fort Myers Florida has really stayed with me. In1718the days after Hurricane Ian had made landfall, the American1719Red Cross was out serving the communities by opening shelters,1720providing hot meals, as well as care and comfort to the1721thousands who had been impacted. I was driving around the Ft1722Myers area delivering water and snacks to people who were1723cleaning up and came across this wonderful elderly woman,1724Jackie who was in her completely destroyed manufactured home,1725searching through all of her personal items to find a few1726irreplaceable items that she treasured. Jackie was a retired1727home economics teacher who had moved from upstate NY to the Ft1728Myers area with her husband when she retired.1729    Jackie and her husband had done everything right -- they1730were monitoring the weather and listening to local and state1731officials and following their directions. They knew that a1732hurricane was coming, and they heeded the evacuation orders and1733moved inland to make sure that both she and her husband would1734remain safe, and they did not return to their home until they1735were told it was safe to do so. When I spoke to Jackie, one of1736the things she shared with me was that she was missing her1737neighborhood friends and grieving the loss of one of her1738neighbors who had chosen not to evacuate and had lost his life.1739    Jackie shared with me one of the most difficult things she1740was struggling with was the loss of her social network, and the1741likelihood of never seeing those neighbors that she cared for1742so deeply. Jackie reminded me when we connected later that1743week, that her life had immeasurably changed because of a1744disaster. Every day Jackie is reminded she is a survivor of a1745disaster by the simple little things that she used to take for1746granted, things like going to the grocery store (it was1747destroyed in the hurricane), stopping by the local branch of1748her bank (again destroyed by the hurricane), and the most1749important to her was finding a new doctor, after her current1750doctor decided not to come back to Fort Myers to rebuild.1751    We know that individuals and families typically have better1752outcomes when they have prepared for disasters before they1753happen, and while Jackie was making great strides in her1754recovery, she is an example that even the best prepared of us1755may still struggle after a disaster. This is where the Red1756Cross plays a vital role in ensuring individuals, families, and1757communities are better prepared for what disasters they may1758face.1759    We have numerous preparedness programs to help communities1760become better prepared for disasters, including:1761      Be Red Cross Ready - a national, standardized, free1762preparedness education curriculum for adults taught by a1763certified presenter. Uses a whole community approach to1764preparedness education, by providing safety information for1765older adults and individuals with disabilities, access, or1766functional needs. This aims to reduce the perceived barriers to1767taking preparedness actions by focusing on a step-by-step1768approach that is manageable, action-oriented, and affordable.1769      Home Fire Campaign Home Visits - through these1770preparedness visits we serve all clients, but especially for1771older adults there are recommendations to keep mobility1772devices, hearing aids, medications, etc. nearby the sleeping1773area to grab and go with egress from a fire, or suggestions to1774move their master bedroom to the lower level of the home if1775stairs pose a significant challenge. We also offer accessible1776fire safety equipment (smoke alarms) for people who are deaf or1777hard-of-hearing and people who lose upper registry hearing as1778they age, so many older adults take advantage of this offering1779within the program framework.1780      Caregivers Preparedness Checklist - people who care for1781others have a unique role in preparing both themselves and the1782ones they take care of. In collaboration with AARP, Red Cross1783developed this checklist to help caregivers plan for and1784respond to disasters and to ensure their family members are1785supported during a disaster.1786      Building Your Support Network - the Red Cross recommends1787that older adults create a personal network made up of multiple1788individuals who will check in on them in an emergency, to1789ensure their wellness and to provide assistance if needed. This1790checklist contains a list of seven important items for folks to1791consider.1792      Emergency App - the app uses three questions to provide1793customized content to those individuals who state that they1794have an older adult in their household for the hurricane and1795wildfire planning sections.1796    In times of disaster, the American Red Cross stands as a1797beacon of hope and strength, grounded in compassion and1798service. From emergency response and recovery to blood services1799and our support of the armed forces, our impact is both1800immediate and enduring. We are equally committed to supporting1801older Americans, providing reliable resources and assistance1802when needed and offering meaningful ways to give back through1803volunteer service.1804    More than 40 percent of our volunteers are over the age of180560. These individuals are not only helping their communities1806prepare for and recover from disasters - they are leading the1807way. Their service reflects the values of dedication,1808responsibility, and neighborliness that strengthen our country1809in times of crisis. Older Americans are not just recipients of1810help; they are central to our ability to deliver it.18111812                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging18131814  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"18151816                              May 14, 202518171818                      Prepared Witness Statements18191820                            L. Vance Taylor18211822    Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, Members of the1823Committee, my name is L. Vance Taylor.1824    It is an honor to be asked to testify at this hearing1825today. I do so, not only as a subject matter expert in the1826field of emergency management, but as someone who lives with a1827disability and uses a power wheelchair.1828    We're in an era of increasingly frequent and severe1829disasters. As the scope and devastation of these events grow,1830it's critical to recognize that-while wildfires, earthquakes,1831tornadoes, and hurricanes strike without regard for geography1832or politics-they consistently and disproportionately impact1833older adults and people with disabilities.1834    One reason why is because, well-intentioned emergency1835managers who can walk, see, and hear have developed plans in1836isolation, without input from the full spectrum of the1837communities they serve.1838    As chief for the Office of Access and Functional Needs at1839the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, I1840activate in response to major disasters throughout the state.1841    While responding to one wildfire, I visited an emergency1842shelter. There, I saw survivors on the worst day of their1843lives. It was hot and muggy, and ash from the air clung to1844their sweat, forming a thick grime on their skin.1845    Because the jurisdiction hadn't integrated the provision of1846portable accessible showers, when older adults and people with1847disabilities arrived, they couldn't bathe. I'll never forget1848the look on their faces when I had to tell them that they had1849no choice but sit in their own filth until we could bring in1850the appropriate resources for them.1851    Experiences like these should serve as a call to action to1852embrace inclusive planning.1853    As a best practice, forward-leaning emergency management1854agencies are committing to end the practice of planning for the1855community. Instead, they are choosing to plan with the1856community.1857    A vital step is establishing state and local Access and1858Functional Needs (AFN) Advisory Committees to ensure better1859outcomes for the whole community.1860    Inclusive planning leads to press conferences that include1861American Sign Language interpreters, the posting of critical1862updates in accessible formats, the provision of accessible1863evacuation resources, and shelters that are both physically and1864programmatically accessible.1865    When the whole community is involved in planning, the1866result is a system that sees, hears, and serves everyone. It is1867also a system that literally saves lives.1868    California leads the nation in inclusive planning.1869    And yet, I'll be the first to say: the work is far from1870done.1871    We have the resources to develop innovative best practices,1872guidancedocuments, and training curricula-and we share them1873freely with states across the country.1874    But as valuable as those tools are, when disaster strikes,1875what communities truly need is sustained support from federal1876partners like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),1877the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and the1878Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).1879    They need funding for the full range of federal resources1880required to respond to and recover from large-scale events that1881overwhelm local capacity.1882    Cutting or eliminating these agencies would have1883devastating consequences- especially for older adults and1884people with disabilities whose safety,independence, and1885survival often hang in the balance.1886    Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, Members of the1887Committee-you have an opportunity to affirm that the mission of1888inclusive emergency management is one of the most human1889responsibilities we share.1890    To show that Washington can be counted on to empower1891emergency managers and the whole community to lift the hands1892that hang down. To show up for one another. To reduce human1893suffering and prevent needless loss of life among older adults1894and individuals with disabilities.1895    Doing so is a reflection of who we are-not as Republicans1896or Democrats, but as Americans.1897    And yes, it's a lift.1898    But you don't have to lift alone.1899    Federal agencies will lift with you. States across the1900country will lift with you. I will lift with you.1901    And as we lift together, the communities we serve will1902ascend.1903    Thank you.19041905=======================================================================19061907                        Questions for the Record19081909=======================================================================19101911                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging19121913  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"19141915                              May 14, 202519161917                        Questions for the Record19181919                            L. Vance Taylor19201921                       Senator Kirsten Gillibrand19221923    Question:19241925    Please discuss the barriers that older adults and people1926with disabilities face when attempting to evacuate and also1927discuss what solutions federal, state, and local governments1928should consider to ensure their safety during disasters?19291930    Response:19311932    Older adults and people with disabilities continue to face1933significant and often life-threatening barriers when attempting1934to evacuate during disasters. These barriers are not1935theoretical-they are real, recurring, and devastating.1936    During one wildfire, I received a call from an older woman1937in tears. She and her husband, who uses a power wheelchair,1938were trapped on the second floor of their apartment. The1939elevator wasn't working, the fire was closing in, and 911 had1940told them to "wait patiently"-because no accessible1941transportation was available. She refused to leave her husband1942behind. While speaking with her, I could hear propane tanks1943exploding in the background as the flames approached their1944building.1945    I rushed to coordinate a rescue with law enforcement, and1946then I waited. Time crawled. Finally, she called back-this time1947crying tears of relief. "They got us," she said. "Police1948officers carried my husband down the stairs. We're in a squad1949car. The apartment is engulfed in flames, but we made it."1950    As grateful as I was that the call ended well-it never1951should have come to that.1952    It's time for jurisdictions to move from intention to1953execution-by implementing specific, inclusive evacuation1954strategies that truly serve older adults and individuals with1955disabilities. The following best practices offer a clear1956roadmap for building inclusive evacuation systems that provide1957effective operational support when it matters most:1958      Utilize an Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Advisory1959Committee. These committees play a critical role in broadening,1960enhancing, and validating evacuation and transportation1961strategies. They provide direct input from disability and aging1962communities, ensuring that plans are shaped by lived1963experience, not assumptions.1964      Develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for1965Accessible Transportation. In partnership with the AFN Advisory1966Committee, every jurisdiction should have a clearly defined SOP1967that outlines how individuals with access and functional needs1968can request and receive accessible transportation before,1969during, and after disasters. This SOP should be widely1970disseminated and regularly tested to ensure usability.1971      Maintain a central list of transportation agreements.1972Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) should maintain an up-to-1973date inventory of all transportation and evacuation agreements1974with providers and vendors. This list should be immediately1975accessible to operations staff and used to activate resources1976in real time.1977      Establish formal, signed agreements with accessible1978transportation providers. These agreements should exist not1979only within the jurisdiction, but also with surrounding1980jurisdictions to enable resource sharing during large-scale1981evacuations. Critically, these agreements should contain1982provisions to provide on-demand, 24/7 availability and services1983at no cost to evacuees. Anything less risks delay-and in an1984emergency, delay can be deadly.1985    Inclusive evacuation planning saves lives, strengthens1986community trust, and ensures that no one is left behind simply1987because they move, communicate, or experience the world1988differently.19891990    Question:19911992    Can you discuss the need for communities to bolster their1993infrastructure against future disasters? What impact will the1994loss of BRIC grants have on local communities, including older1995adults?1996    Response:19971998    FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities1999(BRIC) program is one of the most powerful and forward-thinking2000tools available to local governments working to strengthen2001infrastructure before disasters strike.2002    Whether it's elevating flood-prone roadways, retrofitting2003emergency shelters, upgrading stormwater systems, or hardening2004electrical substations-BRIC enables communities to build2005smarter, stronger, and safer. These are essential investments2006in the safety and stability of our most vulnerable residents.2007    For older adults and individuals with disabilities,2008infrastructure isn't just about convenience-it's about2009survival. They rely on functioning roads to reach dialysis2010clinics, on uninterrupted power to run ventilators and charge2011wheelchairs, and on accessible shelters when evacuations are2012necessary. When those systems fail, it's these community2013members who suffer first and most. The loss of BRIC funding2014would eliminate a viable path jurisdictions have to make2015infrastructure improvements that directly protect lives,2016especially for those who depend on it every day.2017    The need for proactive infrastructure mitigation has never2018been more urgent. Disasters are intensifying in frequency and2019severity, placing increased strain on already aging and2020underfunded systems. Across the country, communities are2021confronting rising seas, more intense wildfires, prolonged heat2022waves, and devastating storms-all of which endanger the systems2023people count on for safety and daily living.2024    Without BRIC, under-resourced communities will be left2025without realistic options to fund large-scale mitigation2026projects. That vacuum would inevitably lead to greater human2027suffering, longer recovery times, and increased federal2028disaster spending.2029    Mitigation doesn't just save lives-it saves money. Every2030dollar invested today reduces the need for multiple dollars in2031recovery tomorrow. BRIC funding ensures that local governments2032aren't forced to choose between acting responsibly and acting2033affordably.2034    Losing BRIC would mean stepping backward-at the exact2035moment we need to be moving forward.2036    Now is the time to double down on inclusion, resilience,2037and preparedness-not retreat from it. Protecting and expanding2038BRIC is not just sound public policy-it's a moral and fiscal2039imperative.20402041    Question:20422043    Can you speak to how the dismantling of the Administration2044for Community Living and eliminating States' Long-term Care2045Ombudsman Program will harm people with access and functional2046needs during disaster situations?20472048    Response:20492050    The Administration for Community Living (ACL) plays a vital2051and irreplaceable role in ensuring that older adults and people2052with disabilities are not just cared for-but included-in their2053communities and in emergency planning efforts at every level of2054government.2055    Dismantling the ACL would mean losing a key federal partner2056specifically tasked with advancing cross-agency coordination2057and inclusive disaster planning. That coordination is a2058lifeline. In disaster situations, it can literally mean the2059difference between life and death.2060    The ACL serves as a critical link between emergency2061management systems and the aging and disability networks that2062possess the trust, credibility, and community reach needed to2063effectively engage older adults and individuals with2064disabilities-populations most at risk during disasters. Their2065work helps ensure that evacuation plans account for mobility2066needs, that communication strategies are accessible, and that2067recovery services are designed to reach people who might2068otherwise be left behind.2069    Equally devastating would be the elimination of the State2070Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Ombudsmen are consistent,2071independent advocates for residents in nursing homes and2072assisted living facilities. They play a critical role in2073disaster preparedness and response by:2074      Identifying gaps in facility emergency plans;2075      Ensuring residents understand their rights and options2076during a crisis;2077      Advocating for essential needs during evacuations or2078shelter-in-place orders;2079      Providing oversight when family and community access is2080restricted, as we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic.2081    Without ombudsmen, residents in long-term care settings-2082many of whom have significant access and functional needs-would2083be left without a voice, without oversight, and without a2084safety net when disaster strikes.2085    Dismantling the very programs designed to protect those2086most vulnerable to negative outcomes in emergencies would not2087only weaken our disaster response systems-it would actively2088place lives at greater risk.2089    To build inclusive, resilient communities, we must preserve2090and strengthen-not eliminate-the structures that safeguard2091coordination and care in times of crisis.20922093    Question:20942095    Can you speak about how cuts to the Federal Emergency2096Management Agency's funding and staff will hamper disaster2097preparedness and recovery efforts as well as the debilitating2098effect that eliminating FEMA entirely would have on those same2099efforts?21002101    Response:21022103    I want to clarify that I'm responding in my capacity as a2104subject matter expert in emergency management-not on behalf of2105any government agency.2106    FEMA is the backbone of federal disaster preparedness,2107response, and recovery. Dismantling the agency-or significantly2108reducing its workforce and funding-is dangerous, particularly2109for underrepresented communities, which include older adults,2110and people with disabilities.2111    FEMA plays a central role in coordinating federal2112assistance, deploying resources, supporting local and state2113governments, and ensuring communities have the tools and2114guidance they need before, during, and after disasters. Without2115FEMA's leadership, local and state disaster response efforts2116would collapse under the weight of complexity and insufficient2117resources.2118    The agency is already under strain. With layoffs and2119voluntary buyouts underway, FEMA enters this hurricane and2120wildfire season significantly understaffed and overstretched.2121These cuts come at a time when disasters are becoming more2122frequent, more severe, and more expensive.2123    Until January, I served on the President's National2124Infrastructure Advisory Council. In December 2024, the Council2125unanimously approved a report that made it clear: FEMA needs2126more support, not less. The report called for increased2127funding, workforce stabilization, and enhanced cross-government2128coordination. These weren't abstract recommendations-they were2129urgent warnings based on the realities emergency professionals2130are facing in the field.2131    The consequences of ignoring these warnings will fall2132hardest on those who are already most vulnerable: older adults,2133people with disabilities, low-income families, and underserved2134communities.2135    When FEMA is weakened, the burden shifts to local systems2136that are often under resourced for catastrophic events. That2137shift results in slower response times, longer recoveries, and2138more lives lost.2139    This is not the time to weaken FEMA. It is the time to2140reinforce it-so that when the next disaster strikes, we're2141ready to respond with speed, strength, and inclusivity.21422143    Question:21442145    Given the role of NOAA's National Weather Service in2146weather forecasting, can you speak about how the Trump2147Administration's cuts to this Agency will harm disaster2148preparedness efforts?21492150    Response:21512152    Accurate, timely forecasting is a key element of effective2153disaster preparedness-and that foundation begins with NOAA's2154National Weather Service (NWS). The data, models, and alerts2155produced by the NWS inform major decisions emergency managers2156make: when to issue evacuation orders, where to open shelters,2157the most effective places to pre-position resources, and how to2158keep the public safe.2159    Weakening that system through funding cuts is a direct2160threat to public safety.2161    States and local jurisdictions depend on NOAA's forecasts2162to time emergency declarations and deploy resources. Without2163that critical lead time, communities have fewer options and far2164less time to act. For people with access and functional needs-2165such as individuals who rely on accessible transportation,2166powered medical equipment, or in-home caregiving services-2167losing even a few hours of notice can mean the difference2168between safe evacuation and life-threatening delay.2169    Older adults and people with disabilities often need more2170time and support to take protective action. Shrinking the2171warning window decreases their chances of reaching safety in2172time.2173    Cuts to NOAA don't just reduce the accuracy of forecasts-2174they compromise the entire chain of preparedness. You can't2175prepare for what you can't see coming, and gutting the Weather2176Service is like turning off the headlights just before a sharp2177curve in the road. We're not just dimming our vision-we're2178increasing the risk of a deadly crash.2179    Preserving and strengthening NOAA's National Weather2180Service is an investment in readiness and lives saved.2181    Question:21822183    Can you speak about the importance of the Social Services2184Block Grant to older adults and people with disabilities and2185include examples of how eliminating this funding will impact2186States' ability to respond to, and recover from, disasters?21872188    Response:21892190    The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) is a lifeline for2191older adults and people with disabilities, particularly in2192times of disaster.2193    When emergencies strike, vulnerable populations often face2194unique and urgent challenges: disrupted access to caregiving2195services, communication barriers, and the need for accessible2196sheltering and transportation. SSBG allows states to meet these2197needs in real time. Its flexibility, speed, and broad2198eligibility make it an effective tool for addressing the human2199side of disaster response.2200    Unlike many federal disaster programs, SSBG is available2201year-round and can be deployed immediately, without red tape.2202That agility is critical when minutes matter and bureaucratic2203delays can cost lives.2204    States have used SSBG funding in powerful, practical ways,2205including:2206      Relocating survivors with mobility-related disabilities;2207      Deploying personal care attendants in shelters to2208support older adults and individuals with disabilities;2209      Providing accessible communication tools to help the2210whole community understand evolving emergency information;2211      Supporting in-home services that keep older adults and2212people with disabilities safe when transportation and2213infrastructure are compromised.2214    Eliminating this funding would strip states of a critical,2215adaptive resource-and force them to rely on programs that are2216slower, more rigid, and often not designed to meet the diverse2217needs of people with access and functional considerations.2218    Without SSBG, older adults and individuals with2219disabilities will be left without the services they need to2220stay safe, secure, and healthy in the face of disasters.22212222    Question:22232224    Is there anything related to this hearing topic that was2225not discussed that you think Congress should consider?22262227    Response:22282229    An impactful step Congress can support is encouraging every2230state to create an Office of Access and Functional Needs (OAFN)2231with a clear and focused mission: to identify the needs of2232individuals with access and functional needs before, during,2233and after disasters-and to integrate those needs into all2234aspects of emergency management. An OAFN should operate with2235dedicated executive-level leadership and the authority to2236influence state-level planning, training, operations, and2237policy.2238    Through this model, California has been able to:2239      Embed disability integration across all phases of2240emergency management;2241      Develop nationally recognized guidance and best2242practices;2243      Provide technical assistance and training to thousands2244of local and state officials;2245      Build durable partnerships with disability and aging2246advocates;2247      Respond to real-time disasters with dedicated, AFN-2248specific knowledgeable.2249    Without centralized leadership and accountability,2250inclusive planning efforts often become fragmented,2251inconsistent, or entirely absent. Vulnerable populations are2252left relying on individual champions rather than system-wide2253safeguards.2254    Establishing an Office of Access and Functional Needs in2255every state would foster consistent collaboration between state2256and federal partners and ensure local jurisdictions have a2257clear point of contact for guidance and support.2258    Congress can play a critical role in advancing this2259recommendation by:2260      Providing technical assistance and funding incentives2261for states to establish an OAFN;2262      Creating national guidance or minimum standards for2263these offices;2264      Encouraging FEMA and other federal agencies to2265coordinate with state-level OAFN leads.2266    By institutionalizing this work at the state level,2267Congress can help ensure it becomes a standard part of how2268emergency managers plan, train, respond, and recover-every2269time, everywhere.2270=======================================================================22712272                       Statements for the Record22732274=======================================================================22752276                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging22772278  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"22792280                              May 14, 202522812282                       Statements for the Record22832284                             AARP Statement22852286    AARP, which advocates for the more than 100 million2287Americans age 50 and older, appreciates the opportunity to2288comment for the record on the Senate Special Committee on2289Aging's hearing to discuss the unique disaster preparedness2290needs of older adults.2291    Tragically, older adults represent a disproportionate share2292of the fatalities in disasters. Older adults often have2293conditions that make them especially vulnerable during natural2294disasters, such as chronic illnesses, functional and mobility2295limitations, or disabilities. In addition, they may be socially2296isolated, and lack both access to transportation and the2297financial means to prepare for disasters or relocate.2298    Disasters are increasing in number and severity, and no2299region of the country is exempt from disastrous weather events.2300The impacts on older adults are clear. Nearly three-quarters of2301the victims in the Lahaina fire were over the age of 60.2302Similarly, approximately three-quarters of those killed in2303Hurricane Ian were age 65 and over and 60 percent of deaths in2304the Texas winter storm were persons age 60 and over.2305    These tragic outcomes are not inevitable. Agencies and2306communities that possess a clear understanding of the unique2307needs of older adults in disaster events, including an2308understanding of the impact of extreme weather on the health2309and well-being of older adults, are better equipped to keep2310them safe.2311    For several years, AARP has worked through our state2312offices to promote a better understanding of older adults and2313their needs related to disasters and to educate older adults2314and their families in the hopes of creating truly age-friendly,2315resilient communities. Towards this end, we released a2316publication that provides guidance to local and state leaders2317on developing strategies to reduce risk and the impacts of2318disasters on older adults. The AARP Disaster Resilience Tool2319Kit, developed together with the Federal Emergency Management2320Agency (FEMA), explores the unique needs of older adults when2321disaster strikes. In addition to the toolkit, AARP has also2322provided comments on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid2323Services' proposed regulations regarding emergency preparedness2324and nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid.2325    Greater collaboration and establishing clear lines of2326communication in advance of a disaster is key to protecting the2327health and safety of vulnerable populations. It is essential to2328make the right connections and build relationships across the2329fields of emergency managers and advocates for older adults -2330particularly given that they tend to operate with a distinct2331set of terminology and language that can impede mutual2332understanding. It is also critical that localities know where2333older adults reside, and which communications means are most2334effective, including low-tech options, to ensure that people2335get timely updates and news. Further, the perspectives of all2336affected populations is essential in disaster planning.23372338Recommendations23392340    The challenges to preserving the safety and well-being of2341older adults when disasters occur are great. The solutions must2342be multi-pronged. AARP urges the following specific actions:2343      FEMA should take a leadership role with states and2344localities in planning for and mitigating potential natural2345hazards with comprehensive disaster plans. This planning should2346specifically address the needs of older adults, people with2347disabilities, and their caregivers, in different settings.2348should also involve these individuals in the development of the2349plans. Efforts should include disaster-resistant building2350codes, design regulations, and infrastructure plans and2351preventing development in high-risk zones.2352      The federal government should also take a leadership2353role in working with states and localities to regularly plan,2354execute, and evaluate outreach and education activities to2355equip all residents to shelter in place or evacuate safely.2356This includes older adults, people with disabilities, people of2357color, people who do not speak English, low-income persons, and2358other difficult-to-reach populations.2359      FEMA should have specific and detailed protocols that2360address the needs of older adults and vulnerable populations in2361disasters. FEMA should study the breakdowns in assistance that2362occurred in previous disasters and use these lessons to guide2363the development of new emergency response protocols.2364      The federal government should engage in post-disaster2365recovery efforts that reach all populations, including older2366adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. This2367includes providing technology infrastructure that enables rapid2368communications and easy, transparent access to necessary2369information. Disaster relief assistance and funding should be2370distributed equitably, fairly, and expeditiously.2371      Evacuation orders should specifically address the needs2372of older adults, people with disabilities, and their2373caregivers, as well as others who may need to remain in the2374community due to special medical needs or other reasons. These2375orders should be backed by pragmatic evacuation plans that2376provide sufficient shelter space, including special needs2377shelters.2378          	Rebuilding and recovery efforts at all levels of2379government should promote livability and resilience by2380encouraging:2381          	a diverse housing supply;2382          	a wide range of mobility options;2383          	access to safe, accessible, and sustainable public2384spaces; and2385          	proximity to necessary services.2386      Federal and state licensing standards should require2387that nursing facilities and assisted living/residential care2388facilities have well-developed, feasible, and practiced2389emergency plans for residents, as well as adequate numbers of2390well-trained staff to carry out such plans.2391    Thank you for the opportunity to provide AARP's views on2392this vital issue. We look forward to working with you to ensure2393the safety of older adults in all disaster events.23942395                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging23962397  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"23982399                              May 14, 202524002401                       Statements for the Record24022403                             AFGE Statement24042405    On behalf of the American Federation of Government2406Employees, AFL-CIO which represents over 800,000 federal and2407D.C. government employees including employees who work at the2408Federal Emergency Management Agency I write to express deep2409concern for the recent attacks on FEMA employees including the2410terminations and attacks on federal employee benefits and2411rights.2412    The Trump Administration has engaged in illegal,2413indiscriminate, and unfair terminations of FEMA employees which2414will make it more difficult for the agency to achieve the2415mission of protecting Americans from national disasters. Many2416of these employees had significant institutional knowledge and2417many were veterans. The defamatory justification that these2418employees were not performing up to par with their performance2419plan is simply untrue. No employees who were terminated had any2420documented poor performance. There was no communication or2421collaboration with the union nor any coordination to determine2422what positions needed to be dissolved for efficiency.2423    These firings create significant issues for FEMA employees'2424ability to deliver response and recovery services to the2425American public. Put simply, people will suffer because of2426these indiscriminate firings of FEMA workers as it will2427directly impact overall response recovery mitigation and2428national preparedness. Every part of FEMA will be impacted2429including response and operations. FEMA employees who deliver2430critical services to Americans in the midst of disaster2431including water, power, food, shelter, energy, transportation2432and communication. FEMA workers are a lifeline in times of2433crisis. They work to minimize the impacts of disaster and2434stabilize communities in times of need. They work to bring2435communities back to normal.We cannot support any termination of2436probationary employees. We cannot support the termination of2437our Cadre on Call Response Employees (CORE) who were hired2438under the Stafford Act.2439    Disaster roles are critical to ensure the safety, security2440and well-being of the American public. A total of 186 employees2441have been fired. FEMA employees save lives and communities and,2442AFGE strongly urges the Committee to uplift AFGE's cry to2443immediately halt any further termination of any FEMA employees.2444AFGE continues to be concerned that communities are going to2445fail, and more people could die if Congress and the2446Administration does not prioritize the hiring, staffing and2447immediate halt of terminations of FEMA employees.2448    The agency must collaborate with the union to ensure2449employees have comprehensive access to information to be able2450to adequately perform the mission of the agency. FEMA cannot be2451more efficient in delivering services to the American public if2452the Administration continues to create a culture of fear,2453uncertainty and shattered morale among employees. Both2454probationary and Article two employees have been fired which is2455deeply concerning because these employees are simply performing2456the mission of the agency ensuring disaster victims receive the2457services, they need to continue their lives as they recover.2458    These arbitrary and unjust firings of GS-9 low level grants2459managers and employees does notimprove efficiency in FEMA; it2460simply creates more barriers to FEMA being able to2461successfullyperform the mission of the agency. These employees2462were not masterminds of illegal moneymanipulation. They were2463administering Congressionally approved grant money, adjudicated2464bythe City of New York.2465    The Federal workforce is made up of 30% veterans, FEMA2466included. These veterans served ourcountry though the terrible2467horrors of war and conflict around the world. They go to sleep2468atnight dreading the dream of those conflicts. Now, they wake2469up not as the heroes they are, but asthe Federal workforce2470villains they are perceived to be. They fought, literally, for2471their educationand they fought, literally, for their Federal2472Civil Service positions. They went to war with thepromise of a2473better life afterwards. That promise has disappeared as they2474lose their jobs in theseindiscriminate firings. This Union,2475this Agency, this Nation owes them better.2476    Both the Union and the Agency have the same mission - to2477save lives and communities. Wework together to ensure that our2478functions are staffed, trained and equipped. Now we face2479thisgreat distraction and a threat to our critical mission in2480staffing, resourcing and training shortfalls.We are caught in a2481self-defeating cycle. The less resources we have, the more our2482mission fails.The more our mission fails, the more resources2483are taken away. The more our mission fails, andso on.2484    FEMA and AFGE 4060 count our successes in American lives2485saved and communities restored.The American people need this2486Agency to succeed. This Union needs this Agency to succeed.2487Inorder to do that, we need our workforce to be fully staffed,2488trained, equipped, and capable offocusing on our mission.2489    We look forward to your responses and look forward to2490continuing to work with you to ensurethe efficiency and2491productivity and success of FEMA. For questions or more2492information please contact Fiona Kohrman.24932494                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging24952496  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"24972498                              May 14, 202524992500                       Statements for the Record25012502                  Alliance for Home Dialysis Statement25032504    The Alliance for Home Dialysis appreciates the opportunity2505to contribute a statement for the record in connection with the2506Senate Special Committee on Aging's hearing: Preparing for2507Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans. We are2508encouraged by the Special Committee's interest in this2509important issue, which is a top concern for patients with End-2510Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), especially those on home dialysis.2511    The Alliance is a coalition of kidney dialysis stakeholders2512representing individuals with kidney failure, clinicians,2513providers, and industry. We have come together to promote and2514advance policies to facilitate treatment choices in dialysis2515care while addressing systemic barriers that limit access for2516individuals with kidney failure and their families to the many2517bene.ts of home dialysis. We believe that every patient-2518regardless of age-should be given the opportunity to pursue2519home dialysis if that is what they have decided alongside their2520care team.2521    About 815,000 Americans are currently living with kidney2522failure, and about 555,000 are on dialysis, whether in a2523dialysis center or on a home dialysis modality.\1\ Kidney2524disease falls within the top ten causes of death in US.2525According to the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), ESRD2526incidence is significantly higher among older age groups,2527particularly those aged 65 and older. In addition, the data2528shows that incidence of comorbidities like diabetes, heart2529disease, and other diseases, also rise with age.2530---------------------------------------------------------------------------2531    \1\ https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/quick-kidney-2532disease-facts-and-stats2533---------------------------------------------------------------------------2534    Home dialysis is an increasingly valuable treatment option2535for many older Americans. According to the USRDS, the rate of2536new home dialysis patients aged 75+ almost doubled over the2537last decade from 6.1% to 11.6%- a significant leap. While some2538potentially age-related factors like cognitive decline and2539frailty can impact whether a patient is suited for home2540dialysis, the benefits of home modalities are often striking2541and include reduced travel burden to the clinic, performing2542sessions in a familiar and calm environment, better health2543outcomes, and increased freedom to pursue social activities,2544hobbies, and retain independence. Further, prescriptions can2545often be tailored to be more appropriate for older adults or2546options for assisted dialysis or care partners can be2547explored.\2\2548---------------------------------------------------------------------------2549    \2\ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9972827/#bib32550---------------------------------------------------------------------------2551    Performing home dialysis requires specific medical2552supplies, like dialysis fluid, needles, tubing, and a dialysis2553machine, which are delivered to the patient's home at set2554intervals. In addition, home dialysis requires access to safe2555water, electricity, and ideally, the internet to allow for2556contact with the care team. Natural disasters can impede access2557to all of these things and negatively impact a patient's2558ability to perform their treatment. Sometimes this means2559patients have to go in-center to perform dialysis during the2560time of the disaster; other times, this is not even an option2561due to impossibilities in travel, challenges due to2562evacuations, and more.2563    In fact, during last year's Hurricane Helene, Baxter, a2564major manufacturer of both IV and dialysis solutions (and2565Alliance member) was significantly impacted by flooding. The2566factory was ultimately closed for a number of days. While2567Baxter moved quickly to get production lines back up and2568running, immediately collaborated with FDA and other agencies,2569and took other action to address the devastating damage, this2570experience serves as a good reminder that disasters are2571unpredictable, can directly impact patients, and must be2572prepared for as best as possible.2573    We also want to share specific insights with you from home2574dialysis patients who have been impacted by natural disasters:2575      Martine from California explained to us that she2576experienced a time when her local drinking water was unsafe to2577use. Due to this, she had to switch the type of fluid bags that2578she used for her treatments. When the water became safe again,2579she had a very difficult time switching back to her preferred2580supply option and received thousands of the incorrect item to2581her home.2582      Shameka from Florida told us that she has lived through2583two hurricanes performing home dialysis with both flooding and2584a loss of power. No one could get to her neighborhood to2585deliver her home dialysis supplies and she was even forced to2586go in-center for treatment.2587      Pedro from South Carolina said that he has been impacted2588by the saline shortage due to Hurricane Helene and has also had2589a difficult time accessing needles.2590    Thankfully, there are options to address many of these2591challenges, and Congress is in a position to do so. One major2592item would be federally incentivized programs to increase2593buffer stock, or an inventory surplus of key home dialysis2594supplies that manufacturers or retailers would keep on hand to2595meet unexpected need during emergencies. Buffer stock can meet2596critical gaps during supply chain disruptions and provide a2597lifeline for patients who want to continue their treatments as2598prescribed.2599    In addition, the Alliance is supportive of vendor managed2600inventory contracts between suppliers and the federal2601government, which would help manufacturers respond immediately2602to natural disasters and ensure that access to critical2603supplies is not disrupted. Because it is difficult to2604physically stockpile fluids and other necessary home dialysis2605supplies, due to expiration dates, these contracting2606arrangements can be particularly helpful as they allow2607suppliers to ramp up production to meet agreed upon targets at2608exactly the right time.2609    We commend your commitment to safeguarding the health and2610dignity of older Americans, particularly in times of crisis.2611The Alliance for Home Dialysis stands ready to collaborate with2612the Aging Committee to advance policies that prioritize the2613needs of all patients, but especially older Americans, with2614kidney disease.26152616                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging26172618  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"26192620                              May 14, 202526212622                       Statements for the Record26232624   Alzheimer's Association and Alzheimer's Impact Movement Statement26252626    The Alzheimer's Association and Alzheimer's Impact Movement2627(AIM) appreciate the opportunity to submit this statement for2628the record for the Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing2629"Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older2630Americans." The Association and AIM thank the Committee for its2631continued leadership on issues important to the millions of2632people living with Alzheimer's and other dementia and their2633caregivers. Among other issues, this statement highlights2634strategies to ensure individuals living with Alzheimer's2635disease and other dementia are adequately supported before,2636during, and after public health emergencies.2637    Founded in 1980, the Alzheimer's Association is the world's2638leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care,2639support, and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's2640and other dementia through the advancement of research; to2641provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to2642reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain2643health. The Alzheimer's Impact Movement is the Association's2644separately incorporated advocacy affiliate, working in2645strategic partnership to make Alzheimer's a national priority.2646Together, the Alzheimer's Association and AIM advocate for2647policies to fight Alzheimer's disease, including increased2648investment in research, improved care and support, and the2649development of approaches to reduce the risk of developing2650dementia.2651    Over seven million Americans aged 65 and older are living2652with Alzheimer's dementia in 2025. Total payments for all2653individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementias are estimated2654at $384 billion in 2025 (not including unpaid caregiving).2655Medicare and Medicaid are expected to cover $246 billion - or265664 percent - while out-of-pocket spending is projected to reach2657$97 billion. Total payments for health care, long-term care,2658and hospice for people living with dementia are projected to2659rise to nearly $1 trillion by 2050. These mounting costs2660threaten to bankrupt families, businesses, and the health care2661system. Unfortunately, our work is only growing more urgent.26622663Improved Response Coordination26642665    People living with Alzheimer's and other dementias are2666uniquely vulnerable during disasters and public health2667emergencies. While there is a need for greater coordination2668between federal, state, and local officials, there must also be2669clear lines of responsibility between these offices during2670public health emergencies. Congress must clarify who is in2671charge, and these roles and responsibilities must be clearly2672communicated to states and local governments so they can2673include this information in their own preparedness planning.2674    The Alzheimer's Association and AIM recommend that each2675state designate one specific point person on long-term care2676issues to liaise with the federal government in times of2677crisis. Oversight for separate long-term care settings falls to2678different federal and state agencies, which can make it2679difficult to coordinate efficiently during a public health2680emergency. If states were to establish one long-term care point2681person in charge of communicating with the federal government2682during times of crisis, it would lead to a more coordinated,2683tailored response in long-term care communities.2684    Improved federal and state response coordination would also2685help ensure sufficient stockpiling and equitable distribution2686chains of essential testing, personal protective equipment, and2687vaccines, when available. These supplies and distribution2688chains should also include caregivers and home- and community-2689based care providers.26902691Public Health Preparedness and Response26922693    Public health professionals play a critical role in2694minimizing the negative impacts of public health emergencies.2695Public health officials are able to tailor the federal, state,2696and local response to address the special vulnerabilities of2697people living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. During a2698pandemic, this not only saves lives but also protects the2699larger community and may reduce strain on health care systems.2700    The Alzheimer's Association and AIM recommend that each2701state public health department have an internal expert with2702deep knowledge of the unique needs of people living with2703Alzheimer's and other dementia. The lack of a senior career2704staff director with expertise in Alzheimer's and other dementia2705in many state public health departments affected the ability of2706those departments to effectively tailor the COVID-19 emergency2707response for those with cognitive impairment.2708    To help ensure that local and state preparedness and2709response plans address the particular vulnerabilities of people2710living with dementia, public health agencies must elicit2711insights from people living with dementia, caregivers, and2712experts on cognitive impairment. Emergency responders and2713shelter staff would also greatly benefit from specific training2714about the signs and symptoms of dementia and other cognitive2715impairments. To accomplish this, the Alzheimer's Association2716and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have2717collaborated on several fronts, including the Association2718moderating a panel for FEMA during their 2023 Disaster2719Preparedness and Older Adults Summit: "Coordinating With &2720Training Law Enforcement & First Responders to Help People With2721Alzheimer's & Dementia" session. This Summit brought together2722community-based organizations, federal agencies, and emergency2723management professionals to discuss disaster preparedness2724resources, programs, and services for older adults, as well as2725the unique challenges, needs, and capabilities of older adults2726in emergency preparedness to strengthen federal response2727efforts.2728    We also recommend that the Centers for Disease Control and2729Prevention ensure there is a full-time gerontologist or2730geriatrician within the Infectious Disease National Centers who2731is able to liaise on emergency preparedness and response. This2732will help ensure readiness in how to respond to the unique2733needs of seniors and people with Alzheimer's and other dementia2734when a new threat arises.27352736Access to Telehealth27372738    Emergencies, disasters, and crises can result in difficult2739care transitions - moving from one location of care to another2740- for people living with dementia, especially due to2741evacuations or hospitalizations. The Alzheimer's Association2742and AIM also support the inclusion of provisions to expand2743access to telehealth. As noted above, Medicare beneficiaries2744with Alzheimer's and other dementias are more likely than those2745without dementia to have other chronic conditions. Overall, 2.72746times more Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer's or other2747dementias have four or more chronic conditions (excluding2748Alzheimer's disease and other dementias) than Medicare2749beneficiaries without dementia. Telehealth is critical in2750helping better manage these conditions, especially for2751vulnerable populations in uncertain times.2752    Most people with dementia also develop at least one2753dementia-related behavior like hallucinations and aggression,2754and a significant percentage of these individuals have serious2755associated clinical implications. Improved access to virtual2756and telehealth services allows people with dementia to avoid2757unnecessary visits or travel that could further compromise2758their physical health, and also provide strained caregivers2759help managing medical needs or behaviors in the home.2760    The Alzheimer's Association and AIM also supported the2761expansion of Medicare and Medicaid coverage for certain2762telehealth services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The2763Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily2764expanded coverage for numerous codes that are beneficial to2765people living with Alzheimer's and other dementia, and we2766appreciate the flexibilities CMS implemented to reduce the risk2767of beneficiaries' exposure to the virus and ensure regular2768access to quality care.2769    In addition, the ability to receive care in the home2770decreases visits to unfamiliar places that may cause agitation2771in people with dementia and can ease some burden on caregivers.2772This increased flexibility can reduce interruptions in access2773to this kind of quality care. We also support and thank2774Congress for its leadership in procuring CMS' permanent2775expansion of licensed practitioners, such as nurse2776practitioners and physician assistants, who can order Medicaid2777home health services. Twenty-seven percent of older individuals2778with Alzheimer's or other dementia who have Medicare also have2779Medicaid coverage, compared with 11 percent of individuals2780without dementia. We also encourage CMS to support innovative2781efforts to increase access to telehealth and telemedicine for2782Medicare beneficiaries for whom access to broadband or2783technology is problematic.27842785Conclusion27862787    Again, we thank you for your commitment to advancing issues2788vital to the millions of families affected by Alzheimer's and2789other dementias. We look forward to working with the Committee2790in a bipartisan way to address the critical challenges facing2791the dementia community during public health emergencies.27922793                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging27942795  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"27962797                              May 14, 202527982799                       Statements for the Record28002801                      American Red Cross Statement28022803    This letter is in response to Chairman Scott's question2804regarding partnerships during times of disaster in the state of2805Florida. We are submitting the following for the record:2806    The American Red Cross works closely with community2807partners and emergency responders in the state of Florida, to2808care for all those affected. Responding to disasters is a team2809effort by many organizations to meet the needs of those2810affected. This is a list of frequently engaged partners during2811disasters doing important work in this space.2812      AME Church 11th Episcopal District2813      Redlands Christian Migrant Association2814      NAACP Florida State Conference2815      Catholic Charities2816      Salvation Army2817      Feeding Florida2818      Church of Scientology2819      Big Dog Ranch Rescue2820      Center of Independent Living2821      MIRA USA2822      Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints2823      Tzu Chi2824      Florida Department of Emergency Management28252826                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging28272828  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"28292830                              May 14, 202528312832                       Statements for the Record28332834                      Daintry Bartoldus Statement28352836    Thank you for the opportunity to submit this statement for2837the record. I serve as the Executive Administrator of the2838Hawai'i State Council on Developmental Disabilities, where I2839work to ensure that individuals with intellectual and2840developmental disabilities (I/DD) are fully included in policy2841and emergency planning at the state and community level.2842    Disaster preparedness must be inclusive by design-not as an2843afterthought. In Hawai'i, where geographic isolation, limited2844infrastructure, and natural disasters intersect, individuals2845with disabilities and older adults often face disproportionate2846risk and barriers to evacuation, shelter, and recovery2847resources. These vulnerabilities are not inevitable-they are2848the result of planning that has historically excluded people2849with access and functional needs.2850    Inclusive disaster preparedness means:28512852          Embedding people with disabilities in all phases of2853planning-from community drills to state and county-level2854emergency management meetings.2855          Expanding public alert systems to reach individuals2856with sensory, cognitive, or communication barriers. Programs2857like Smart911 must be promoted and tailored to disability2858communities.2859          Training caregivers and emergency personnel on2860disability etiquette, access needs, and culturally responsive2861communication.2862          Ensuring accessible shelters and transportation2863before an emergency strikes-not after.2864          Supporting local partnerships between aging and2865disability networks to build resilience, not just response.28662867    Hawai'i has taken important steps to address these gaps,2868including creating disability-specific shelter-in-place2869guidance, hosting "Feeling Safe, Being Safe" trainings, and2870advocating for improved alert systems like the Silver Alert for2871individuals with cognitive impairments, but we must go further-2872and federal support is critical.2873    I commend the Committee for highlighting these issues at a2874national level and for seeking input from diverse stakeholders.2875Our voices must be part of the solution-not only for our safety2876but because we bring valuable expertise to the table.2877    Thank you for your leadership and for including this2878statement in the Congressional Record.2879    Respectfully submitted,28802881    Daintry Bartoldus2882    Executive Administrator2883    Hawai'i State Council on Developmental Disabilities28842885                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging28862887  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"28882889                              May 14, 202528902891                       Statements for the Record28922893                  Disability Rights New York Statement28942895    People with disabilities are disproportionately subject to2896harm when emergencies strike. During and after emergencies,2897they are uniquely vulnerable to loss of life, removal from2898their homes, separation from their assistive technologies, and2899placement in inaccessible and unsafe shelter systems. These2900events, and the trauma created by them, aggravate existing2901physical, mental and emotional conditions.2902    The data regarding their disparate exposure to harm is2903alarming. Analysis of January 2023 U.S. Census data reported by2904the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies establishes2905that of U.S. adults who require personal assistance for daily2906care, 31% were forced to evacuate their homes after a disaster,2907whereas only 1% of those who do not require such care were2908forced to evacuate. Once they were evacuated, most people with2909disabilities reported never being able to return to their2910homes. People with disabilities reported multiple unique2911barriers to emergency services including the following: lack of2912available information about existing accessible services;2913absence of properly trained emergency responders to assist with2914services; inability to obtain emergency services because they2915were located too far away from their residences; emergency2916services were not physically accessible; and service providers2917could not communicate with or understand them.2918    Since 2022, Disability Rights New York has conducted2919comprehensive interviews with people with disabilities and2920allies who have established themselves as national leaders in2921the fight for disability justice in emergency management. Those2922interviewed were unanimous in their position that significant2923changes in our national approach to emergency planning and2924response are required. They were also unanimous in their2925assessment that recent failures of federal, state and local2926systems to meet the needs of people with disabilities during2927emergencies can be traced in large part to the absence of2928people with disabilities as critical players in emergency2929planning discussions.2930    The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed a range of2931disability discrimination concerns demanding immediate2932attention by advocates worldwide. These concerns have2933stimulated new analysis of public health policy and its impact2934on people with disabilities. They have also ignited critical2935communication among a diverse group of people from various2936disciplines, including medical providers, social workers, and2937bioethcists, about ethical and civil rights implications when2938emergency response is inequitable. Of particular concern was2939the pandemic's impact on people with disabilities in congregate2940care settings, who faced death, protracted illness, and2941exacerbation of previously existing chronic conditions.2942    All sound models for disaster mitigation suggest2943integration of self-advocacy strategies to be used by people2944with disabilities before, during and after emergency events.2945These strategies encourage people with disabilities to make2946personal safety plans for themselves and their families. DRNY2947strongly recommends that Congress provide leadership in2948providing emergency programming that calls for comprehensive2949advanced personal planning, including the creation of emergency2950kits for use during quick evacuations, engagement of identified2951support networks, and the making of advanced arrangement for2952ongoing access to medications and disability benefits. DRNY2953also implores Congress to ensure that emergency planning2954discussions always elicit information from people with2955disabilities about their personal experiences when disaster2956struck.29572958                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging29592960  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"29612962                              May 14, 202529632964                       Statements for the Record29652966                         Erika Felix Statement29672968    My life and my family of origin has been shaped in2969incalculable ways by my father's service to his country in the2970Vietnam war, which he volunteered for a day after turning 18 in29711968. The impact of war lasts generations in families, not only2972by the scars of the war itself, but by how our government and2973public supports its veterans. Much of my childhood and early2974adult years (1980s and 1990s) were characterized by my father2975trying to heal and facing enormous barriers from the Veteran's2976Administration (VA) in place at the time. To me, it seemed to2977be the battle of his lifetime to get the full disability2978benefits he deserved for the physical and emotional wounds that2979were inflicted on him.2980    Although his years of advocacy and appeals eventually2981brought him the justice of being recognized as 100% disabled,2982it took an emotional toll on him and all of us. At one point, I2983recall him being so frustrated and disillusioned with the VA2984system at the time that he refused to seek healthcare there2985anymore, and instead relied on my mother's good health2986insurance from being a teacher.2987    I do not know what changed, but in the last 10 years he2988returned to the VA, and has been receiving quality and2989supportive services as a home-bound veteran. He enjoyed the2990adult day services and ability to connect with other veterans.2991The VA helped my parents get the mobility devices he needs to2992get downstairs in their home and provided critical healthcare2993at home. The support and care of the VA took on a whole new2994meaning to us with recent wildfires.2995    I work in the field of disaster mental health. Over my2996career, I have read and heard stories from numerous families2997with a disabled loved ones about their challenges in evacuating2998during a disaster, finding appropriate places to evacuate to,2999and concerns about what will happen to them and their health3000needs while out of their home. This affects the whole family's3001decision and ability to evacuate.3002    On November 6, 2024 the Mountain Fire broke out in Somis3003and Camarillo, CA. Fueled by strong winds, it quickly3004threatened the neighborhoods surrounding my parents' home. I3005pulled up fire maps and saw that most of the neighborhoods near3006my parents' home were ordered to evacuate, but at that time, my3007parents were still in an evacuation warning zone. I am the3008family member who lives closest to them and was an hour drive3009away, and I was stressed wondering how we would get my father3010out of the house in a timely manner. My father falls easily and3011when that happens, my mom (who will be 75 years old this year)3012sometimes has to call paramedics to help move him. Even though3013my parents had a stair lift installed, just getting him to the3014stair lift, then on and off, and into a car safely is an3015extreme challenge. I was wondering how I or my partner could3016get down there to help, which would involve driving into a3017disaster-zone. Or, if my friends who live locally, could go3018over and help, but they were in an evacuation order zone and3019were moving their pets and kids to safety.3020    When I spoke to my mother, I learned that the VA Home-Bound3021Veteran's program had proactively called my father early that3022morning to determine what assistance he would need given the3023unfolding disaster. I was shocked in the most grateful way. In3024my years working in disaster mental health, I had not heard of3025this. I recall my mom saying that day that they asked if he3026needed help evacuating. Much to my chagrin, my mother declined3027that assistance, as they did not know if evacuation was really3028going to be necessary or where they could go with my dad,. We3029spent a stressful few days continually monitoring the fire map,3030but thankfully, although they were surrounded by evacuation3031order zones, they remained in an evacuation warning zone,3032perhaps due to their close proximity to the local hospital.3033Even though we did not use the VA service, the fact that they3034called showed the care and concern that our veterans deserve.3035    Two months later, the devastating LA wildfires broke out,3036and numerous news reports in the aftermath document the3037disproportionate number of deaths among the elderly and3038disabled. This highlights the need for programs for our aging3039and disabled veterans that can help them in emergencies, so3040that they do not have to rely on overtaxed first responders and3041public safety personnel in an emergency.3042    I am highly concerned and do not know if the budget cuts3043facing the VA will affect the Home-Bound Veteran's program, or3044other needed services for all veterans and their families. The3045VA has greatly improved in the last few decades, and I do not3046want to see it return to what my father experienced upon3047discharge in 1968 through the 1990s. If anything, we need more3048funding to help disabled veterans and their families, and one3049consideration should be helping them to evacuate and be housed3050safely in a disaster.3051    My father gave his youth and his health to serve his3052country. He lost people he loved. We as a family have dealt3053with the lifelong cost of war, which is always felt for3054generations. Helping the elderly and disabled during3055emergencies is one of the best uses of our tax dollars, as it3056helps whole families stay safe. The VA can be a leader in3057designing and implementing systems to help our veterans in3058community emergencies.3059    Thank you for considering this. Erika Felix, Michael W.3060Felix, and Joy Felix30613062                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging30633064  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"30653066                              May 14, 202530673068                       Statements for the Record30693070                       Justice in Aging Statement30713072    Justice in Aging appreciates the opportunity to submit this3073statement on how to better support older Americans during and3074after disasters. We thank the Special Committee on Aging for3075its attention to this important issue.3076    Justice in Aging is an advocacy organization with the3077mission of improving the lives of low-income older adults. We3078use the power of law to fight senior poverty by securing access3079to affordable health care, economic security, and the courts3080for older adults with limited resources. We focus our efforts3081primarily on advocating for people who have been marginalized3082and excluded from justice, including women, people of color,3083LGBTQ individuals, and people with limited English proficiency.30843085Older Adults at Risk30863087    Older adults can be particularly at risk from disasters.3088The reasons are many. Increased age can bring with it physical3089and/or mental disability, or a more generalized frailty. Older3090adults are more likely to rely on others for assistance with3091daily activities, as well as meals, transportation, and other3092needed items and services. Also, in many cases, older Americans3093daily lives depend upon a routine and service system that may3094have been developed over months or years.3095    During and after disasters, older adults are more likely to3096suffer death or injury. In Hurricane Sandy (New York area,30972012), for example, half of all deaths were persons age 65 or3098older.\1\ Likewise, in Hurricane Katrina (New Orleans, 2005),3099persons 75 years old or older comprised half of the persons who3100died.\2\ In the Camp Fire (northern California, 2018) 71 of the310184 total deaths occurred among persons of age 60 or older.\3\3102In the 2021 disaster in Texas caused by an ice storm and3103statewide power outage, 60 percent of the deaths were suffered3104by persons of age 60 or older.\4\3105---------------------------------------------------------------------------3106    \1\ Mapping Hurricane Sandy's Deadly Toll, N.Y. Times, Nov. 12,31072012, available at https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/3108interactive/2012/11/17/nyregion/hurricane-sandy-map.html.3109    \2\ Joan Brunkard et al., Hurricane Katrina Deaths, Louisiana,31102005, Table 2: Demographic Data for Katrina-Related Deaths: Louisiana,31112005, Disaster Med. Public Health Prep., vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 215-233112(Dec. 2008), available at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18756175/.3113    \3\ AARP, Disaster Resilience Tool Kit, at 10 (2022).3114    \4\ Tex. Dep't Health and Human Servs., February 2021 Winter Storm-3115Related Deaths Texas (Dec. 31, 2021).3116---------------------------------------------------------------------------3117    Virtually every disaster has this same disturbing through3118line. Whether it is a hurricane in the Southeast, fires in3119California or the Pacific Northwest, or a period of brutal cold3120in the central United States, older adults are by far the most3121likely persons to suffer death, injury or other hardship. They3122in general are less physically prepared to respond to emergency3123situations, and more likely to fall through the cracks in any3124large-scale evacuation.3125    Furthermore, the risk of death constitutes only a fraction3126of the overall risk facing older adults. Following a disaster,3127older adults are more likely to encounter challenges in any3128transition. Physical limitations may hamper their ability to3129navigate temporary shelter environments, with the problems3130being exacerbated by the likelihood that they may not have3131access to the assistance (hands-on and otherwise) that they3132have relied upon prior to the disaster. Also, these same types3133of problems will hamper older adults in subsequent efforts to3134transition into permanent housing with necessary assistance and3135services.31363137Availability of Federally-Funded Services and Agencies31383139    As described in more detail below, it is essential, both3140during and after disasters, that older adults have access to3141coordinated services. By and large, these are not services3142provided by for-profit organizations. Rather, the services are3143provided by federal and state agencies, along with nonprofit3144agencies. In many instances, the work of the state or nonprofit3145agency may rely significantly on federal funding.3146    At the time of this hearing, in mid-May 2025, much of the3147federal infrastructure for necessary services is under threat.3148Driven in part by the Department of Government Efficiency, the3149current Administration has made or proposed significant cuts to3150the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is (as3151the name suggests) the principal federal entity to respond to3152disasters. The Administration also has proposed the elimination3153of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), which is the3154principal federal entity to fund and coordinate services for3155older adults. Furthermore, as this statement is submitted, the3156House of Representatives during the budget reconciliation3157process is proposing cuts of over $700 billion to federal3158Medicaid funding, which would necessarily have a significant3159negative impact on the ability of older adults to access3160necessary services, particularly the home and community-based3161services that fund assistance with activities of daily living.3162    All of these proposals, if implemented, would harm older3163adults. Any discussion of disaster response must acknowledge3164the immediate need to reject or reverse the various3165Administration-initiated program cuts. The explicit goal of3166this hearing to better protect older adults cannot be3167meaningfully addressed while simultaneously eliminating or3168defunding entities responsible for providing or coordinating3169the essential services older adults depend on.31703171Planning31723173    Disaster planning is essential at multiple levels. FEMA3174should develop and improve relationships with ACL (or entities3175to which ACL responsibilities have been delegated), the Centers3176for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and other federal3177agencies that administer programs for older adults. Similar3178coordination should occur at the state level for example,3179between the state health agency (responsible for coordinating3180Medicaid services) and the state aging agency (responsible for3181administering ACL-funded services).3182    Similar planning should occur at local levels among3183agencies and service providers. Because disasters are not part3184of a daily routine, it is essential that planning consider how3185a disaster might affect persons and services, and that the3186various entities consider the work that would be necessary and3187how that work could be coordinated and performed.3188    This coordination should include the managed care plans3189which (among other things) are now responsible for coordinating3190health care for a large percentage of Medicaid-eligible older3191adults. CMS should develop and implement standards to ensure3192that such coordination occurs.3193    The planning process should incorporate older adults and3194persons with disabilities, since they will have better3195intuition about potential challenges. Witness Lance Taylor3196during the hearing spoke of the usefulness of functional needs3197advisory committees, as used by several states in planning for3198emergencies.3199    Forethought and planning are also important at the3200individual level for older adults, their families and friends.3201Testimony during the hearing raised important issues for3202example, the importance of evacuating with necessary3203medication, and making plans among various members of a family.3204Local agencies should provide training for older adults and3205their families, utilizing such resources as preparation3206checklists. The checklists might include both items needed in3207case of an evacuation (a "go kit") and items needed to shelter3208in place (a "stay kit").\5\3209---------------------------------------------------------------------------3210    \5\ AARP, Disaster Resilience Tool Kit, at 5 (2022).3211---------------------------------------------------------------------------3212    To reach more people, state and local agencies can3213coordinate with community organizations, faith-based entities,3214and other organizations or settings with ongoing relationships3215with older adults and their families. To reach persons with3216limited English proficiency, this training should be provided3217in all the community's commonly used languages.32183219Notices and Evacuations32203221    Older adults in many ways are less likely to be prepared3222for evacuation, or to be able to evacuate in an orderly and3223reasonably efficient way. One initial issue is the3224effectiveness of warnings and evacuation notices. All warnings3225and notices should be made not just in English but in other3226languages common in the community.3227    Also, as mentioned by Mr. Taylor during his testimony,3228notices to the community should not overlook persons with3229hearing impairments. They may not be able to hear even high-3230decibel warnings in the neighborhood, and instead depend on3231text messages announced by vibrations from their cell phones.3232    During the recent Eaton fire in the Los Angeles area3233(2025), at least two women were initially forgotten during3234evacuations of their senior living facilities.\6\ To avoid this3235problem, all communal residences should be required to develop3236evacuation procedures and conduct drills.3237---------------------------------------------------------------------------3238    \6\ Grace Toohey, 97-Year-Old Woman Left Alone in Senior Facility3239with Eaton Fire Outside Her Window. What Went Wrong?, Los Angeles3240Times, Feb. 29, 2025.3241---------------------------------------------------------------------------3242Accessibility of Temporary Shelter32433244    In developing temporary shelter, agencies and providers3245should consider the ability to accommodate persons with3246physical disabilities. In many cases, older adults will have3247limitations in the ability to ambulate or perform other3248activities of daily living. Temporary shelter arrangements must3249be structured so that persons with physical disabilities can3250reside with adequate support.32513252    Emergency Power Supplies32533254    Disasters frequently result in loss of power for example,3255in the case of the Texas ice storm discussed above. In another3256prominent example, twelve older adults died in a Florida3257nursing facility in the days after Hurricane Irma, due to the3258loss of power and the resultant lack of air conditioning during3259high temperatures.\7\3260---------------------------------------------------------------------------3261    \7\ Julianne Skarha et al., Association of Power Outage with3262Mortality and Hospitalizations Among Florida Nursing Home Residents3263After Hurricane Irma, JAMA Health Forum, vol. 2, no. 11, (Nov. 24,32642021).3265---------------------------------------------------------------------------3266    To address this problem, nursing facilities, assisted3267living facilities, and other comparable communal residences3268should be required to maintain emergency power generators along3269with fuel for several days of operation. Electrical power is an3270absolute necessity in situations of extreme cold or heat, or3271when needed to operate essential medical equipment.32723273    Conclusion32743275    It is commonly said that failing to plan is planning to3276fail. We thank Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Gillibrand for3277addressing this important issue, and urge the Special Committee3278and the federal government to 1) maintain adequate funding and3279support for FEMA, ACL, and other relevant federal agencies, and32802) conduct the necessary advance planning and coordination so3281that older adults can better navigate the challenges posed by3282disaster situations.32833284                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging32853286  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"32873288                              May 14, 202532893290                       Statements for the Record32913292  K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability3293                               Statement32943295    We are grateful for the opportunity to offer insight into3296the importance of inclusive disaster preparedness in the lives3297of people with disabilities and older adults. The K. Lisa Yang3298and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability (YTI) in3299the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) at Cornell3300University conducts a combination of research and outreach. Our3301mission is to advance knowledge, policies, and practices that3302enhance equal opportunities for all people with disabilities.3303Our research, training, and technical resources expand3304knowledge about disability inclusion, leading to positive3305changes in communities for people with disabilities. Over the3306past 50 years, extreme weather-related disasters have increased3307dramatically. NOAA reports 55 individual extreme weather3308disasters in the last two years alone. In 2024, these extreme3309weather disasters caused 568 direct or indirect fatalities.3310People with disabilities are disproportionately affected by3311extreme weather-related disasters. People with disabilities are3312four times more likely to be displaced from their homes3313following disasters. They are also four times more likely to3314die in such events due to a wide array of factors, including a3315lack of accessible transportation, inaccessible emergency3316shelters, and a failure to design and implement inclusive3317disaster plans. A heartbreaking example of the consequences of3318this failure to plan happened during the Eaton Fire in3319California. Despite calls for help, a man, and his son, both3320wheelchair users, were not evacuated before the fire engulfed3321their home, and they both perished.3322    Often, emergency management practices fail to consider the3323needs of people with disabilities, including older people with3324disabilities. The Administration for Community Living plays a3325vital role in inclusive disaster planning by working through3326partners to build capacity and strengthen partnerships with3327emergency management and public health authorities. Critical3328ACL-funded partners in this process include the Aging and3329Disability Networks, the Independent Living Center Network, the3330National Disability Rights Network, and the Americans with3331Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network. Dismantling the3332networks that ACL has built and supported over the past 143333years would be devastating to efforts to ensure the health and3334safety of people with disabilities and older adults during3335disasters.3336    Federal employees are critical in ensuring an inclusive3337disaster response. They support resource allocation and power3338the logistics behind disaster responses. They help build3339stockpiles of essential supplies before anticipated disasters,3340coordinate transportation, and support long-term recovery.3341Federal employees also teach local communities about disaster3342response, empowering communities to care for all their3343community members during extreme weather-related disasters. ACL3344has a particularly impactful role in emergency preparedness for3345older adults and people with disabilities. They work through3346partners to assist people with disabilities and their families3347with response plans. The loss of federal employees to help with3348the coordination and rapid response for the aging and3349disability community will be devastating to communities across3350the country. Personnel in other HHS departments, where ACL3351programs would be dispersed, may lack the necessary3352partnerships and expertise to carry on this critical work.3353    For example, YTI has a grant from the National Institute on3354Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research3355(NIDILRR), funded by ACL, to operate one of 11 regional ADA3356National Networks. With the support from this grant, YTI3357provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans3358with Disabilities Act. This service is critical for communities3359as the ADA can be complex, and municipalities need to interpret3360the tenets of the ADA in inclusive disaster planning. We3361support municipalities before, during, and after disasters.3362Before disasters, we can help municipalities consider the ADA3363as they design their strategic plans for disaster response.3364Interpreting the ADA is not easy for municipalities, and3365considering inclusive disaster planning and response is3366critical to ensuring access for all. Questions often relate to3367the need for sign language interpreters, how best to ensure3368physical access within emergency shelters, and whether it is3369necessary to allow service animals in emergency shelters. As an3370example of our efforts to support inclusive disaster planning,3371working through our partners, YTI provided recommendations to3372improve the accessibility of shelters in the 78 municipalities3373across Puerto Rico. This collaboration resulted in an easy-to-3374use checklist that the shelters could use to ensure ongoing3375accessibility in emergency shelters. We also made training on3376this topic available to each municipality.3377    During disasters, the ADA National Network provides3378information on how best to accommodate people with disabilities3379in the moment, including information on effective communication3380for people with disabilities, the provision of auxiliary aids3381and services, and service animals in shelters, among other3382topics. After disasters, we often support entities with3383responsibilities under the ADA to ensure physical access during3384rebuilding and in new construction. This guidance can be3385critical for public entities to understand their3386responsibilities and provide equitable access for their3387constituents. For example, in July of 2024, the social services3388department from a large city in New York had difficulty3389determining the definition of fundamental alteration under the3390ADA for some people who had requested accommodation or3391modifications under the ADA in the county shelter program. Our3392technical assistance representatives spoke with the3393municipality at length regarding the requirements of the ADA in3394processing accommodation requests and determining what3395constitutes a fundamental alteration of services. We provided3396the related text from the ADA Title II Action Guide for State3397and Local Governments, developed under NIDILRR funding, and the3398regulations requiring that public entities must modify3399policies, practices, and procedures when necessary to assure a3400person with a disability has an equal opportunity, unless to do3401so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service,3402program, or activity. We explained that requests only need to3403be granted if they are disability-related and reasonable.3404Modifications do not need to be made if they would compromise3405legitimate safety rules or fundamentally alter the essential3406nature of services or programs.3407    Without the critical support offered by ACL grantees, the3408lives of people with disabilities and older people will be at3409even greater risk. The services of ACL grantees are essential3410in low-resource communities, such as rural areas and U.S.3411territories. ACL serves a vast population of people in our3412country, as 13.5% of people in the U.S. have a disability, and341318% of the population is over age 65. We urge you to maintain3414funding for all of ACL, including NIDILRR, to ensure that3415inclusive disaster planning and response continue for these3416vulnerable populations.3417    Sincerely,34183419    Wendy Strobel Gower3420    Thomas P. Golden Executive Director3421    yti.cornell.edu34223423                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging34243425  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"34263427                              May 14, 202534283429                       Statements for the Record34303431                        Moving Forward Statement34323433    Dear Chair Scott, Ranking Member Gillibrand, and Members of3434the Senate Special Committee on Aging, on behalf of the Moving3435Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition, thank you for holding3436the recent hearing, "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges3437Facing Older Americans."\1\ We commend the Senate Special3438Committee on Aging's (the Committee's) ongoing commitment to3439supporting older adults during disasters. We write to urge the3440Committee to ensure that the Nation's 1.2 million nursing home3441residents and 1.5 million staff are explicitly considered and3442included in all phases of federal and state emergency3443preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.\2\,\3\3444This inclusion must be grounded in a broad understanding of3445"disasters" that encompasses weather events, pandemics,3446cyberattacks, and other public health emergencies. Furthermore,3447we strongly encourage the Committee to formalize relationships3448between nursing homes, local, county, and state-level public3449health and emergency management departments, and to scale3450existing models of integration.3451---------------------------------------------------------------------------3452    \1\ United States Senate Special Committee on Aging. "Preparing for3453Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans." Hearing, 2025.3454    \2\ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "Nursing Home Data."3455CMS.gov, 2024, https://data.cms.gov/.3456    \3\ Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Industry at a Glance: Nursing and3457Residential Care Facilities: NAICS 623." BLS.gov, 2025, https://3458www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag623.htm.3459---------------------------------------------------------------------------3460    The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the unique3461vulnerabilities that both nursing home residents and staff face3462in emergency situations and demonstrated the devastating3463consequences of failing to integrate nursing homes into3464emergency management systems.\4\ This understanding informed3465the release of the 2022 National Academies of Sciences,3466Engineering, and Medicine Report (NASEM), The National3467Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality, which serves as a3468comprehensive strategy for improving nursing home quality and3469includes specific recommendations related to emergency3470management.\5\ The Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality3471Coalition, which includes residents, providers, families,3472nursing home quality experts and advocates, launched in 2022 to3473implement practical solutions to the recommendations proposed3474by the NASEM report. The Coalition is supported by The John A.3475Hartford Foundation.\6\3476---------------------------------------------------------------------------3477    \4\ Grabowski, David C., and Jonathan Gruber. "Nursing Homes,3478COVID-19, and the U.S. Policy Response." Health Affairs, vol. 39, no.34798, 2020, pp. 1287-1292. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00764.3480    \5\ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The3481National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality: Honoring Our3482Commitment to Residents, Families, and Staff. The National Academies3483Press, 2022. https://doi.org/10.17226/26526.3484    \6\ The John A. Hartford Foundation. "Moving Forward Coalition:3485Implementing Recommendations from the NASEM Report on Nursing Home3486Quality." https://www.johnahartford.org/grants-strategy/moving-forward-3487coalition.3488---------------------------------------------------------------------------3489    As stated above, the Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality3490Coalition urges the Committee to explicitly include nursing3491homes in all phases of federal and state emergency management,3492which would advance the goals outlined in the NASEM report.3493Specifically, we encourage the Committee to work with the U.S.3494Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency3495Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that the Emergency Support3496Functions of the National Response Framework include the3497following: (1) clarification that nursing homes are included in3498emergency support functions; (2) requirements for state and3499local emergency management documents and plans to contain3500specific guidance for nursing homes during an emergency; and3501(3) revisions to include residents of nursing homes as part of3502the target group of "individuals with disabilities and others3503with access and functional needs."\7\ These minor revisions3504will help to prevent avoidable tragedies related to emergencies3505in nursing homes and will ensure that the lives of nursing home3506residents and staff are considered in all phases of emergency3507management.3508---------------------------------------------------------------------------3509    \7\ U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency3510Management Agency. National Response Framework, 5th ed., October 2021.3511https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/3512frameworks/response.3513---------------------------------------------------------------------------3514    Additionally, the Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality3515Coalition urges the Committee to identify federal mechanisms to3516formalize relationships between nursing homes, local, county,3517and state-level public health and emergency management3518departments, as recommended by the NASEM report.8 The Moving3519Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition is working to advance3520this recommendation through a pilot initiative supported by the3521Michigan Health Endowment Fund to foster collaboration between3522emergency management and long-term care stakeholders in3523Michigan. This effort brings together state and local emergency3524planners, nursing home representatives, long-term care3525ombudsman, and public health officials to improve coordination,3526communication, and readiness. The Michigan pilot serves as a3527model for how states can close longstanding gaps while3528informing scalable national strategies that ensure coordinated3529and integrated approaches to emergency management. We encourage3530the Committee to work with the Department of Health and Human3531Services and FEMA to identify federal mechanisms-such as CMS3532requirements-that can help formalize these partnerships in3533other states.3534    The Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition stands3535ready to work in partnership with the Senate Special Committee3536on Aging to advance these meaningful and achievable policy3537solutions that will help prevent avoidable adverse events.3538Together, we can build a more resilient and prepared long-term3539care infrastructure that protects and supports older adults in3540times of crisis in all settings. We thank the Committee for its3541enduring leadership in supporting older adults during3542emergencies and for your consideration of the unique needs of3543nursing home residents and staff, as well as pathways for3544implementing our recommendations.35453546    Sincerely,35473548    Alice Bonner, Chair3549    The Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition35503551                 U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging35523553  "Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans"35543555                              May 14, 202535563557                       Statements for the Record35583559                    United Way of New York Statement35603561    United Way of New York submits this statement to Chairman3562Senator Rick Scott and Ranking Member Senator Kirsten3563Gillibrand and thanks them and the entire Committee for this3564opportunity. Here at the United Way of New York State and 2113565New York, we are grateful to the Committee for bringing this3566significant issue to light.3567    As we have seen an increase in disasters, not just3568statewide in New York, but nationally, we are constantly3569reminded and aware of the barriers that are affecting our aging3570Americans.3571    211 New York is a 24/7, 365 days a year in 180 languages3572that has offered us insight into the elderly population. Not3573only is the elderly population growing, but their needs are3574growing, and their resources are scarce, and even more scarce3575in a crisis. Our aging population are often the first victims3576in a crisis, as they are less agile, have less resources3577available to them, and often the first to succumb to stress.3578    211 New York in a crisis has offered resources to the aging3579population by connecting individuals to emergency housing/3580shelters, connection to financial aid, offering real time3581updates to seniors, and information regarding warming/cooling3582centers as well as assistance with contacting FEMA regarding3583applications and clean up assistance.3584    211 New York fielded over two million calls last year,3585helping with some of these very resources and needs.3586    As indicated in the 2025 ALICE Report (Asset Limited Income3587Constrained Employed), we are seeing that with the aging of the3588Baby Boomer generation, households headed by people age 65 and3589over were the fastest-growing age group in New York (an3590increase of 40% between 2010 and 2023). Additionally, that age3591group with the most substantial increase in the number of3592households below the ALICE Threshold (reaching 57% of all 65+3593households in 2023).3594    It is critical now that we all work together to make sure3595that everyone, especially our aging population, is prepared for3596the imminent disasters that our future will undoubtedly hold.3597Every life matter and we need to invest time, energy and3598preparedness now to avoid a devastating crisis and potential3599loss.36003601    Submitted by,36023603    Therese Daly3604    President & CEO3605    United Way & 211 New York36063607                                   [all]