Fort Myers, Fla. (July 24, 2024) – Last week, the American Red Cross South Florida Region’s Community Adaptation Program, in collaboration with The Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging co-hosted a Senior Disaster Resilience Summit at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).

The Summit took place at FGCU’s The Water School and representatives from over 30 local organizations that support Lee County’s aging population, along with several FGCU employees, Red Cross employees and volunteers were in attendance. The purpose of the event was to identify capacity gaps within the region and determine what is needed to promote disaster resilience within the senior population.

The event featured brief presentations by the Institute’s Executive Director, Dr. Thomas Felke, and American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program Coordinator, Astoria Aviles, on seniors and disaster preparedness. Later, each presenter facilitated a discussion with attendees around the unique needs of seniors in Southwest Florida before, during, and after natural disasters.

“The Senior Disaster Resilience Summit provided a fantastic opportunity for organizations serving older adults to gather and discuss their perspectives on addressing needs of older adults in the wake of a natural disaster,” said Dr. Felke. “The insights provided by representatives of the organizations in attendance will help to not only inform their direct efforts but also give consideration to longer term educational and service efforts as well.”

Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter Executive Director Jill Palmer also shared information about disaster preparedness resources and services that the local chapter of the American Red Cross can provide to seniors and the organizations who serve them.   

“The American Red Cross values the opportunity to partner with Florida Gulf Coast University Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging to discuss the unique needs of our community’s senior population,” said Palmer. “As a community, we must continue to collaborate before, during, and after disaster.”

This effort is part of the national Red Cross Community Adaptation Program, which is providing enhanced support in select communities across the country that are at high risk for extreme weather and face socioeconomic challenges. The program focuses on enhancing local nonprofits specializing in health, hunger and housing to strengthen their programs before a disaster and to serve families hit hard by this new increasing state of climate disasters.

“I am grateful for the opportunity this event offers to bring together multiple organizations that serve Lee County’s aging population,” said Cindy Magnuson, American Red Cross Community Adaptation Risk Reduction Manager. “The ability to both learn from and share with one another is invaluable, helping all of us improve and grow in our service to this community.”

American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP) launched in 2022. Through this program, the Red Cross aims to build more resilient communities and empower families that face more barriers after disasters. This program is focused on certain communities that are at high risk for extreme weather and that also contend with profound socio-economic challenges. 

About the American Red Cross: 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or X at @SFLRedCross.

About The Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging:

The Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging serves as a regional hub to connect faculty, staff, and students from across academic disciplines at FGCU with community organizations in a unified purpose of supporting the older adult community in Southwest Florida through education, service, research, and advocacy. Specifically, the Institute provides support to community organizations and residents through workforce development, community engagement, translational research, and policy and advocacy efforts.