Date: September 2, 2005
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbaraconant@aging.state.ks.us
Director of Communications
(785) 296-6154
Kansas Department on Aging Secretary Pamela Johnson-Betts today announced that the providers of senior care services offering assistance to elderly victims of Hurricane Katrina should contact their local county emergency managers to let them know what services or programs they can offer.
Kansas emergency support will be provided through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact for state and local governments.
Individuals seeking services through senior programs should contact their area agency on aging, Johnson-Betts added. As is the normal procedure, the 11 Kansas AAAs serve as the single-point of entry for seniors needing services.
“Kansas adult care homes, hospice organizations, area agencies on aging and others in the aging network have contacted KDOA with generous offers to help the hurricane victims and their family members,” said Johnson-Betts. “We urge them to coordinate their offers through their county emergency managers for proper validation and to guarantee that the resources become a part of the database used by local agencies.”
Johnson-Betts said KDOA staff will work with all partners in the aging network to address hurricane-related issues as they arise.
“This is an unprecedented event and our most immediate concern is the health and safety of the seniors impacted by the storm,” she said. “We thank the many providers and others who are opening their hearts and their homes to victims and their families. It is a true testament to the generosity of the Kansas pioneer spirit of neighbors helping neighbors in a time of need.”