Feb 13, 2025
On Jan. 7, Karen Bagnard of Pasadena Village, California, didn't realize the wildfires were so close to her home. The 79-year-old sat in the dark, waiting for the power to come back on, until her phone rang.
“My daughter said, ‘Mom, do you realize there’s a fire?’” Bagnard, who is legally blind, told CNBC. “I had no idea there was a fire.”
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At that point, the Eaton fire was far enough away that she thought her home would be safe. But as it neared, Bagnard and her 32-year-old grandson, who lives with her, decided to leave.
She thought evacuation would be temporary, but it was the last time she would step foot in her home of nearly 50 years — the place where she raised her children as a single mom. The next day, her daughter and grandson returned to find a pile of smoldering rubble.
“They brought a chair for me, and I sat in the driveway, and what I could see was just the land,” Bagnard said of the scene. “I started looking at it in terms of, ‘How would we rebuild?’”
California wildfires destroyed her home of almost 50 years
The community Bagnard lives in, Pasadena Village, is known for supporting its own. A fellow resident — someone she had never met — offered Bagnard a temporary six-month lease to share her home. Neighbours replaced her lost computer with one equipped with the accessibility features she relies on due to her vision loss.
As its website states, Pasadena Village is a non-profit organization and community of older adults “who support each other while living independently in their homes.” Bagnard was one of a number of residents who lost their homes.
“It’s been heartbreaking,” said Katie Brandon, executive director at Pasadena Village. “But it’s also been really beautiful to see the older adults really support each other.”
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Brandon recalls how Bagnard once hosted countless gatherings on her patio, bringing people together. Now, as Bagnard regroups, the community is stepping up to support her.
That community support is essential given the financial challenges seniors face in the wake of natural disasters. According to Bankrate, nearly 79% of people over the age of 65 are homeowners. Those on a fixed income may struggle with the financial challenges of rebuilding their homes, particularly those who can’t afford home insurance.
Bagnard applied for a Small Business Administration loan, and her daughter helped her set up a GoFundMe page. Other community organizations, including Better Angels and Journey House, have offered to help Bagnard and her grandson get back on their feet.
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Natural disasters especially devastating for seniors
Older adults face other challenges in the aftermath of disasters. While immediate aid efforts provide an influx of donations and support, help tends to taper off.
“It’s that medium-term disaster period where we still want to check in on people,” says Joan Casey, associate professor at the University of Washington’s School of Public Health.
Emerald Nguyen, Ph.D., a National Institute on Aging official, notes that older adults are particularly vulnerable during and after disasters. Health risks are a major concern.
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According to the National Council on Aging, nearly 80% of older adults have at least two chronic conditions. Exposure to poor air quality, extreme temperatures and disrupted medical care — all of which are common during natural disasters — can be dangerous.
Natural disasters also take a toll on cognitive and mental health. Some research suggests that disruptions and stress from disasters may accelerate cognitive decline in older adults. However, other studies show that seniors may be more resilient and serve as an inspiration to others in the wake of a disaster..
The NIA notes that community networks — like Pasadena Village — are essential for seniors’ recovery, providing vital long-term support, regular check-ins and social connection.
As for Bagnard, coping with her vision loss has helped her keep the loss of her home in perspective, she told CNBC reporters. With her family and her community behind her, she is optimistic about her life and her home.
“I’m going to be 80 next month, and I hope to live long enough to see it rebuilt,” Bagnard said.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
