Department of Elder Affairs and Aging Network Assist
in Hurricane Dennis Disaster Relief

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA), in cooperation with area agencies on aging, is responding to the needs of elderly victims who have been impacted by Hurricane Dennis.

"At this time, our priority is making sure that older adults affected by Hurricane Dennis have food, water and sufficient shelter," said Carole Green, Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. "As Floridians make the return to their homes, we urge them to take the appropriate safety precautions."

Some assistance efforts the DOEA aging network partners are taking include:

• Long-term care ombudsman staff and volunteers are working with the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Attorney General's office to identify damaged nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes in the impacted areas. Ombudsmen will also assess the security of residents and the availability of drinking water and food.
• CARES (Comprehensive Assessment Review and Evaluation for Long-Term Care Services) staff members are conducting on-site care assessments of individuals at special needs shelters and assisting with discharge planning.
• DOEA headquarters staff is working with local service providers and area agencies on aging to staff Disaster Recovery Centers in the impacted counties, as well as to help operate the Volunteer & Donations Hotline (1-800-FLORIDA-HELP-1) and Florida Emergency Information Line (1-800-342-3557) call centers.

For more information on the Hurricane Dennis disaster relief effort, please visit www.myflorida.com or http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us.

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