Advanced Search
Current and Breaking News for Professionals, Consumers and Media



Click here to learn how to advertise on this site and for ad rates.

Seniors Author: Staff Editor Last Updated: Nov 29, 2012 - 7:11:02 AM



New York's Elderly Among Hardest Hit By Sandy

By Staff Editor
Nov 2, 2012 - 3:43:42 PM



Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Ezine
For Email Marketing you can trust


Email this article
 Printer friendly page
AARP Urges People to Check on Elderly Family, Friends & Neighbors in Wake of Disaster

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2012 -- Sandy has come and gone in New York, leaving a trail of disaster behind, and few know this better than elderly residents in impacted areas. With often times limited mobility, delayed reaction, and reliance on prescriptions for their health, when disaster strikes, the elderly are left struggling. AARP New York is urging people to check in on their elderly family, neighbors and friends in areas impacted by the storm.

"When power goes out, the elevator goes out, and many elderly are unable to make it down a flight of stairs in the dark to go grocery shopping for needed items, and when they run out of a prescription, it can become life threatening," said Beth Finkel, Manager of Community Outreach for AARP in New York. "The simple act of checking in on the elderly can go a long way to helping them stay safe in times of a disaster such as Sandy, and in some instances may even save a life."

Additionally, with the loss of power comes the loss of the ability to heat their homes, putting the age group at an increased risk of hypothermia or other weather related illnesses.

Some tips and resources:


-- Check on Rx supplies: If they are running low, most pharmacies will
provide a three-day supply (bring verification of prescription, such as
bottle or script from doctor, if available). To find out a pharmacy's
status, check here:
http://www.rxresponse.org/PharmacyStatus/Pages/ActivePharmacyReporting.a
spx
-- Groceries: Offer to assist with any grocery shopping. Check refrigerated
food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
-- Meals: If the individual is in need of meals at least 60 years old,
Meals on Wheels can be contacted here: http://www.mowaa.org/findameal
-- Medical emergency: Call 911. Medicare patients in New York can also now
receive non-emergency care at a nursing home without a prior three-day
hospital stay.
AARP Foundation announced it has established a relief fund to support victims in the U.S. devastated by Superstorm Sandy. AARP and its members are committed to helping those in need, so to bolster the Foundation's relief effort AARP and its affiliates will match contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000, assuring up to $1 million in aid. The matching program will be administered through AARP Foundation.

The impact of Sandy continues to increase as news agencies report it as one of the biggest and most devastating "superstorms" ever to hit the United States. In the states most severely impacted, more than six million AARP members, their families and neighbors are struggling to recover from the storm's initial Oct. 29 impact. An immediate response to this urgent appeal will allow AARP to expedite support to those who need it now. To donate to the relief fund, please go to: www.aarp.org/disasterrelief.

Follow us on Twitter: @AARPNY and Facebook: AARP New York

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Web Site: http://www.aarp.org

###

For advertising and promotion on HealthNewsDigest.com please contact Mike McCurdy: tvmike13@HealthNewsDigest.com or 877-634-9180
HealthNewsDigest.com is syndicated worldwide, to thousands of journalists in all media, and health-related websites. www.HealthNewsDigest.com

Top of Page

HealthNewsDigest.com

Seniors
Latest Headlines


+ Added Risk of Foot Injury for Senior Runners
+ Launch of AARP Brain Fitness powered by BrainHQ
+ Older Adults’ Memory Lapses Linked to Problems Processing Everyday Events
+ Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques Bring New Options to the Aging Population
+ Fall Prevention
+ Online Screening Tool to Help Caregivers Identify At-risk Older Drivers
+ Seniors: Take Aim Against Silent Killers
+ Thigh Fat May be to Blame for Older Adults Who Slow Down
+ 5 Signs Your Grandparents Can’t Take Care of Themselves
+ Diet May Not Impact Certain Health Outcomes in Older Persons



Contact Us | Job Listings | Help | Site Map | About Us
Advertising Information | HND Press Release | Submit Information | Disclaimer

Site hosted by Sanchez Productions