White House Conference on Aging to Address Elders in Disasters

September 13, 2005

The winds of Hurricane Katrina may end up being felt as late as December, and as far away as Washington, D.C. That’s when the White House Conference on Aging will convene. Held oncea decade since 1965, its policy recommendations have helped shapedMedicare, Social Security and other landmark programs for seniors.

Now, the conference maychange the way disaster relief organizations deal with the aged anddisabled, if testimony at a preconference session in West Palm Beach onMonday is any indication. Planners always intended the session to focusin part on disaster response, but stories of seniors dying together asKatrina’s floodwaters filled their nursing home gave the presentationsan edge. “I hope we do everything possible so that fragile andimpaired elders are not left behind, and that they do not get pushedaside in wheelchairs with blankets covering their heads because theyhave expired,” said Mary Barnes, chief executive officer of Alzheimer’sCommunity Care in West Palm Beach.

She told the conference’sPolicy Committee that there should be a tracking system to ensureAlzheimer’s patients and their families followed mandatory evacuationorders.