Bethany Beach, DE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Bethany Beach Landowners Association set out to close gaps in disaster readiness for older adults in a coastal area prone to storms and evacuations. Planning was fragmented and many residents lacked clear steps for alerts, evacuation and essential documents. The association convened local leaders and ran hands-on workshops where participants enrolled in alert systems, learned Know Your Zone guidance and used checklists and calendars to plan. A central repository pushed life-saving tips to thousands and spurred new community emergency response teams. The town added a Storm Ready page and leaders pledged ongoing updates to keep preparedness front and center. Participants reported immediate action, and praised the success of the program. The project turned guidance into concrete steps that support safer decisions when the next storm threatens.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Perry, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Taylor County Emergency Management focused on a rural community where many residents age 50 and over with special needs were not clearly identified in emergency plans. That gap increased the risk that vulnerable people could be missed during evacuations or sheltering. The agency created a special needs registry and paired it with targeted outreach through community events, visits to local gathering places and local media. Residents received clear guidance on preparedness, registration and available support, along with printed checklists and planning materials. Partnerships with emergency services, health providers and nonprofits improved coordination. The registry grew by more than 30%, giving responders clearer insight into who may need help and when. The effort strengthened readiness and helped older adults feel more secure knowing they are visible in local emergency response plans.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Westminster, MD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Many older adults living independently had little emergency preparedness information or supplies, leaving them uncertain about how they would respond during an unexpected event. Caring Carroll addressed this need by assembling and delivering more than 100 personal emergency preparedness kits to residents age 60-plus. Volunteers paired these supplies with practical guidance during rides and visits, helping preparedness become part of routine support rather than a one-time message. Training increased awareness among both volunteers and care receivers, many of whom had never considered personal emergency planning. Residents reported feeling more confident knowing they had basic tools and someone looking out for them. Residents reached out after these kits were delivered to show their thanks, underscoring how the project strengthened trust, reassurance and a sense of security for older adults aging in place.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.