New Video Highlights Urgent Need for Age-Friendly Recovery in Western North Carolina

ASHEVILLE, NC — AARP North Carolina has released a powerful new video, “Rebuilding with an Age-Friendly Lens.” Just under four minutes long, the video showcases the voices and visions of community leaders working to ensure older adults are not left behind in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation.

To help communities better prepare for future disasters, a Disaster Resilience Toolkit is available from AARP that was produced with FEMA to help local leaders reduce risks and protect older adults.

In September 2024, Tropical Storm Helene caused catastrophic flooding across 39 counties in western North Carolina, damaging nearly 20,000 housing units—with Buncombe County alone accounting for over 12,000. The majority of these homes were owner-occupied, a housing type disproportionately lived in by older adults.

Why Age-Friendly Recovery Matters


Rebecca Chaplin, AARP Associate State Director, explains more about certain vulnerabilities. “Older adults often have mobility difficulties that make it harder to get out of harm’s way. They often lack access to transportation. They might be socially isolated, with no friends or family nearby to help. They may be reluctant to leave a pet behind.

In addition, older adults without a cell phone or internet access lack an essential information and communications resource in this online era. As a result, many older people are unable to get real-time information about changing weather or emergency conditions, available resources or how to find help.”

According to the Bowen Report, after Helene, the Region is facing a housing gap of 34,000 units over the next five years, including a critical shortage of affordable senior housing and senior care beds. By 2029, Buncombe County will need 4,477 additional senior care beds to meet demand.

Older adults are especially vulnerable to the effects of displacement, with 16.5% of those aged 65+ requiring assistance with daily living. Many live on fixed incomes below $25,000, making affordability and accessibility essential components of recovery.

Chaplin added some other factors that impact this age cohort. “Many older adults lack the financial means to prepare for disasters or relocate, and more than half of Americans age 50 or older have no emergency savings. Many are on fixed incomes and lack the available cash to stock up on food and prescriptions (which can be costly), let alone to make their home more disaster resistant,” she said.

A Call to Action

“This is more than a recovery effort—it’s an opportunity to learn and improve future response. This will not only help us in ongoing Helene recovery but will make us better when responding to future natural disasters, extreme weather, COVID, or other pandemics,” Chaplin concluded.

CLICK HERE >>WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOU TUBE