How USAging’s Disaster Relief Fund Supported Older Adults and Caregivers After Hurricane Helene—Region A’s Story

Nearly one year after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, our Appalachian communities are still rebuilding — physically, emotionally and spiritually. In Region A, where adults age 60 and over comprise roughly one-third of the population across seven counties and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, the storm’s impact was uniquely severe: homes were lost, communication networks failed and everyday lifelines — food, power, transportation and access to health care — were disrupted.

Thanks to the Disaster Relief funding provided by USAging, the Southwestern Commission Area Agency on Aging was able to mount a rapid, targeted response focused on older adults and the families who care for them. Working side-by-side with local, regional and national partners, we concentrated our efforts on three urgent priorities: 

• Deployed resources to the hardest-hit people and places. We distributed food, water, cleaning supplies, replacement household items, generators, sleeping bags, tents and tools to help families begin cleanup and recovery. We supplied assistive devices for older adults, coordinated refurbished vehicles for families who lacked transportation, and provided extra meals through our senior centers to reach isolated older adults.
• Connected people to FEMA, legal aid and faith-based support. Our staff and partners transformed community centers, faith sites and senior centers into FEMA and legal-assistance hubs so residents could apply for aid, receive guidance and access short-term shelter while longer term solutions were arranged.
• Promoted critical health care and communications. In partnership with the WNC Health Communicators Network, we delivered timely, accurate messaging about where to go for help. This messaging changed frequently and required diligence, research and a collaborative spirit among regional health care entities. Recognizing that suicide rates often increase for up to three to five years following a natural disaster, as well as a need for mental health support, we decided to use printed 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline tote bags at many of the distribution sites for later reference.  We also included our Regional Senior Resource Guides in the bags for easy access to regional resources. 

These efforts were made possible because USAging’s funding enabled immediate action—we utilized our AAA staff’s expertise and local knowledge across the region. We developed a short one-page assessment form that allowed for follow up with older adults. We were also able to assist with volunteer rebuilding teams. 

The result: neighbors helped neighbors, vulnerable older adults received lifesaving support and communities moving from emergency triage into the long work of recovery.

Region A’s greatest assets are our people, relationships and local knowledge. We are the Area Agency on Aging (Region A), a Council of Government-affiliated regional office that organizes and coordinates support, services and funding for older adults and caregivers.  In times of crisis, this allows us to leverage our strong network of county governments, senior centers, faith communities, health systems, tribal leadership and neighborhood volunteers to keep older adults safe, connected and living with dignity in place. Flexible, timely funding amplifies those assets: flexible dollars turn local goodwill into measurable outcomes and let us say “yes” when families need immediate help. 

As we honor those who lost their lives and stand with those families who are still rebuilding, the lessons are clear: Robust emergency preparation should include redundant low-tech communication methods, such as transistor radios. We also see an opportunity to support vulnerable older adults in long-term care with high-tech satellite communication, such as Starlink. Additionally, having cash on hand is helpful when banking systems are down. 

We are deeply grateful to USAging and every donor who stepped forward. With continued flexible support, we will keep strengthening the networks that protect older adults, reduce long-term harm and rebuild our mountain communities stronger than before.

Thank you for your partnership and for investing in the safety, dignity and resilience of the older adults who built this region. 

—Sarajane Melton, AAA Director, Southwestern Commission–Area Agency on Aging (Region A)