disaster

An Evacuation Plan at Your Parent’s Nursing Home: 9 Questions to Ask

Posted on 04/19/2013 by | Caregiving | Comments

Caregiving | TravelMedia images of nursing home residents being evacuated after an explosion this week at a nearby fertility plant in West, Texas, raise an important issue. That is, if your loved one is, or may some day be, in a nursing home, do you know what its evacuation and emergency plans are? According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in 2012 on any day, more than 1.4 million Americans live in 15,800 nursing homes; more than 3 million have …

Using Social Media to Support Sandy Victims

Posted on 11/5/2012 by | AARP Social Media Strategy/Trainer | Comments

Technology | VolunteeringHurricane Sandy roared into the East Coast during my first week as the AARP’s new social media trainer. I noticed how many people were sharing incorrect information on social media and wrote a post explaining ways you can check the information you share with friends. In the aftermath of the storm and the growing crisis to provide assistance to thousands of people in 12 different states, I wanted to reach out and help. Luckily I’m friends with a leader at …

Hope Among Devastation

Posted on 11/2/2012 by | Philanthropy & Fundraising | Comments

Home & Family | VolunteeringNews reports have captured the magnitude of the devastation left by “superstorm” Sandy.  The impact continues to increase as word begins to spread of personal loss and tragedy.  A dire tale that I fear will grow worse in the coming days and weeks: 109 fatalities Public transportation systems severely damaged A lack of power has prevented those impacted from being able to access gasoline, food and other necessities Much is needed and less is available What inspires me are the …

Hurricane Irene is on Her Way: Be Prepared

Posted on 08/25/2011 by | Volunteering | Comments

Home & FamilyPrepare to batten down the hatches, East Coasters. After a rattling earthquake earlier this week, Hurricane Irene is coming our way. The National Weather Service predicts that the hurricane will pass along the eastern coast of Florida tonight and begin to move up through the eastern states over the next few days. Everyone in the area should expect to experience hurricane winds and heavy rainfall.  To help you prepare and weather the storm, AARP’s Create the Good has published an …

Be like a Boy Scout and “Be Prepared.”

Posted on 04/26/2011 by | Volunteering | Comments

VolunteeringThe Boy Scouts had it right. Their motto is “be prepared” and if the St. Louis tornado Friday taught us anything, it’s to try and always heed this warning. The tornado was the strongest the area had seen in 44 years. Its 200 mph winds leveled houses and destroyed the roof of the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Thankfully no one was killed in its  22 mile path. But the disaster is a reminder that not only is hurricane season soon …