[Senate Prints 109-69]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
109th Congress S. Prt.
2nd Session COMMITTEE PRINT 109-69
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SAFEGUARDING AMERICA'S SENIORS:
WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREPARE FOR NATIONAL EMERGENCIES
__________
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING
UNITED STATES SENATE
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TONGRESS.#13
Prepared by Senator Herb Kohl, Ranking Member
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
October 2006
This document has been printed for information purposes. It does
not represent either findings or recommendations formally adopted by
the Committee.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
21-023 WASHINGTON : 2006
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SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING
GORDON SMITH, Oregon, Chairman
RICHARD SHELBY, Alabama HERB KOHL, Wisconsin
SUSAN COLLINS, Maine JAMES M. JEFFORDS, Vermont
JAMES M. TALENT, Missouri RON WYDEN, Oregon
ELIZABETH DOLE, North Carolina BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, Arkansas
MEL MARTINEZ, Florida EVAN BAYH, Indiana
LARRY CRAIG, Idaho THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware
RICK SANTORUM, Pennsylvania BILL NELSON, Florida
CONRAD BURNS, Montana HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, New York
LAMAR ALEXANDER, Tennessee KEN SALAZAR, Colorado
JIM DeMINT, South Carolina
Catherine Finley, Staff Director
Julie Cohen, Ranking Member Staff Director
(ii)
C O N T E N T S
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Page
Introduction..................................................... 1
Background....................................................... 1
Recommendations.................................................. 2
Planning......................................................... 2
Training......................................................... 3
Senior Education................................................. 3
Conclusion....................................................... 4
(iii)
SAFEGUARDING AMERICA'S SENIORS:
WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREPARE FOR NATIONAL EMERGENCIES
INTRODUCTION
Last September, our nation reeled from the tragic and
shameful images of seniors abandoned during the aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina. We must never again leave our parents and
grandparents to face an emergency alone.
This report compiles the recommendations made to the U.S.
Senate Special Committee on Aging during and following the
hearing, ``Caring for Seniors in a National Emergency: Can We
Do Better?,'' held on May 18, 2006. The report does not point
fingers for past tragedies; it looks forward. Hurricane season
is an annual event, the threat of terrorism remains, and the
potential for an avian flu pandemic looms. We all agree, we let
our seniors down after Hurricane Katrina. But, as sorry as we
all are, are we any more prepared for the next hurricane,
attack, or disaster?
We know now that one-size-fits-all emergency plans are of
little use to seniors, especially those who depend on other for
assistance in their daily lives. When we plan for emergencies,
we must also plan for the unique challenges of keeping seniors
safe.
Our lack of preparation for seniors after last summer's
hurricane's--and the terrible price we paid in lives and
suffering--was a national tragedy. That tragedy is compounded
if we ignore the painful lessons of the past. We need specific
plans, programs, and information for seniors facing
emergencies.
This report is intended to inform decision makers on all
levels--Federal, State and local emergency planners, first
responders, law enforcement, advocates, seniors, and their
families and friends. We believe all will find information they
can use to prepare to care for seniors when the next emergency
occurs.
BACKGROUND
The National Preparedness System (NPS), as overseen by the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), coordinates operations
and priorities of homeland security officials, emergency
managers, and first responders. NPS has developed six basic
documents to guide emergency planning. These documents set
goals and standards for Federal, State and local governments to
meet in order to properly protect our citizens during a
national emergency.
NPS' guidance is a good first step; however, it is
important to note that not one single office within DHS is
solely dedicated to the protection of seniors. DHS has issued
only limited guidance to State and local emergency planners
that specifically deals with seniors' needs--a questionable
strategy in the face of seventy-seven million baby boomers on
the cusp of retirement.
The structure of and responsibility for emergency
management varies greatly among State and local governments.
That is why it is imperative for the federal government to
provide strong leadership in protecting seniors. We must
coordinate all efforts--federal, state and local--to ensure
that our most vulnerable populations are protected.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations were culled from testimony
provided to the Committee in preparation for its May 18, 2006
hearing examining emergency preparedness issues for seniors.
They do not necessarily represent the perspectives of the
Committee or any of its members, but serve as a valuable
starting point in discussing how we, as a nation, can better
protect our seniors in the event of a national disaster.
PLANNING
Emergency planners should involve social service
providers, such as Meals on Wheels programs, in the planning
process. These providers' transportation resources could be
used to evacuate many seniors on voluntary registries
administered by local governments. These providers have
expertise and ongoing contact with clients who face
transportation obstacles, and are familiar with their day-to-
day and non-emergency needs.
Plans should clearly articulate the
responsibilies of all agencies in evacuating transportation-
disadvantaged populations, and spell out the methods and
coordination of evacuations. This plan should detail how local
and state emergency management, and transit agencies should
work together to evacuate transportation-disadvantaged people.
Emergency management officials stated that this level of
coordination enabled them to successfully conduct several
evacuations in the past.
Federal, State and local planners should involve
gerontologists (geriatricians, geriatric nurse practitioners,
geriatric social workers, etc.) in all aspects of emergency
preparedness and care delivery. Gerontologists should be
involved in the training of frontline workers and other first
responders about frail adults' unique needs.
The federal government should develop a simple,
inexpensive, cohesive, integrated and efficient tracking system
for seniors and other vulnerable adults that can be employed at
the state and local levels.
The federal government should select an existing
agency, such as the Department of Transportation, to be the
primary federal agency responsible for developing the
capability to conduct mass evacuations.
DHS should require that state and local
governments conduct evacuation planning and exercises as a
condition for receiving Homeland Security grants.
DHS, in coordination with the states, should
plan, train and exercise for evacuations, including exercises
that incorporate those populations that do not have the means
to evacuate.
Ongoing federal funding is needed for existing
programs to continue to plan for national emergencies. Federal
funding is also needed to provide the infrastructure to
accommodate the needs of the elderly in disasters.
Congress should consider restoring funding to the
geriatrics health professions programs, which includes the
Geriatrics Education Centers (GECs). The GECs are at the
forefront of disaster preparedness and the elderly, having
prepared the lead, national curriculum in this area.
State and local planners should designate
separate shelter areas in advance for the elderly and other
vulnerable adults. Seniors without family members or advocates
should be grouped in shelter sites so that they can be attended
to by medical personnel and volunteers to help them with their
special needs.
Metropolitan areas should revisit their building
codes and develop strategies to strengthen their
infrastructures. Areas prone to disasters such as hurricanes,
earthquakes, wildfires or flooding should review and strengthen
building codes specific to the disasters most likely to occur
in their particular area. Buildings known to specifically house
seniors should be focused on during these reviews.
TRAINING
Train all first responders and law enforcement
agents about the unique needs of the elderly in the event of a
national emergency or disaster.
Conduct regular exercises of emergency response
plans in order to test coordination between agencies involved
in evacuations.
Encourage citizens who have special needs to
voluntarily register with their local emergency management
agency. Train all appropriate parties how to implement and use
voluntary registries before, during and after an emergency.
According to emergency management officials, in several recent
evacuations, voluntary registries assisted emergency personnel
in efficiently evacuating transportation-disadvantaged
populations.
Involve region-specific social services, medical
and public health resources, volunteers, and facilities in pre-
event planning and training for elders and vulnerable adults.
Train first responders and law enforcement
officers on how to implement senior specific triage tools.
Develop coordinated regional plans for
evacuations of residents of long-term care facilities and for
homebound seniors. These regional plans should be reviewed
periodically and incorporated into regular training exercises,
so that long-term care facilities and isolated seniors are
appropriately prioritized in the event of an emergency.
SENIOR EDUCATION
The following information should be made available to
seniors to better prepare themselves for future national
disasters.
It is always better to prepare for a disaster too
early than too late. Take the possibility of a disaster
seriously; many are sudden and have no warning.
Become part of a network of people to check on
your welfare in the event of a disaster. Many towns are
establishing registries so that emergency workers can locate
high risk and high needs people, and check on those who might
not have anyone else to check on them. If you need medical
assistance, teach those who will come to check on you any
necessary equipment operations. A network of friends or
neighbors would work as well. This is to ensure that when a
disaster happens, everyone is accounted for and taken care of.
Become informed as to what kind of disasters are
common in your community, state, or region. Physical geographic
factors are not the only factors to take into account.
Proximity to large cities, power plants, military bases, etc.
are sources of disasters as well.
There are several steps to take that will prepare
you for any disaster:
Make sure that you have access to communication--many
emergency notification are broadcast on the television or
radio.
Assemble a disaster supply kit, complete with medical and
general supplies:
- Battery-powered radio and flashlight; including extra
batteries for each
- Clothing, rain, gear, and sturdy comfortable shoes
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Extra car and house keys
- Whistle in case you need to attract attention
- Cash, credit cards and loose change
- Personal hygiene supplies
- Emergency phone numbers as well as phone numbers of
relatives, friends, your doctor, and insurance company
- Sealed supplies of water
Plan transportation that will accommodate any
mobility needs you might have in the event of an evacuation.
Always try to travel with others.
Plan a safe place in your home where you can wait
during an emergency if so instructed.
In the event of a fire, plan two escape routes
out of each room. If you cannot use stairways, make special
arrangements for help in advance. Never use elevators. Test
your smoke detector battery regularly.
In case of an earthquake or other disaster, you
should have things securely anchored in your home, keeping
heavy things off of top shelves to prevent injury. Have
personal records in fireproof, watertight containers.
Even if you do have a registry or network that
will check on you, you should still be prepared to support
yourself for up to 72 hours without outside help.
In the event of an evacuation:
- Travel with others if at all possible.
- Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.
- Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.
- Lock your home.
- Use the travel routes specified or special assistance
provided by local officials. Don't take any short cuts; they
may be unsafe.
- Notify shelter authorities of any needs you may have.
CONCLUSION
When the next national emergency strikes--whether it's a
hurricane, terrorist attack or a public health threat--we need
to make sure no senior is left behind.
It's clear that the Federal government still has a lot of
work to do. We need to make sure that seniors know how to
prepare themselves and who to turn to for help. All levels of
government need to plan, train and practice now so we can
respond to seniors in a future emergency.
We hope that you will find these recommendations helpful
and act immediately to make sure seniors never fall through the
cracks again.