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Published on: January 24, 2020
Catastrophic events and older adults
Elizabeth Cloyd1, Carmel B Dyer
1Harris County Hospital District, Houston, TX 77054, USA. beth_cloyd@hchd.tmc.edu
Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America
|November 25, 2010
Summary
Older adults face unique challenges during disasters due to health and mobility issues. Enhanced disaster planning, including elder-specific shelters and nurse-led preparedness programs, is crucial for their safety and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Gerontology
- Emergency Management
Background:
- Older adults are disproportionately vulnerable during catastrophic events due to higher prevalence of chronic illnesses, cognitive disorders, and mobility limitations.
- These vulnerabilities can impair decision-making during evacuations and increase risks of abuse, neglect, and exploitation among elderly survivors.
- Existing disaster preparedness frameworks often lack specific provisions for the unique needs of older populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical need for specialized disaster preparedness strategies for older adults.
- To identify key recommendations for improving the safety and care of elderly individuals during and after catastrophic events.
- To emphasize the essential role of nurses in developing and implementing effective elder-focused disaster response plans.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and societal concerns regarding the impact of disasters on older adults.
- Analysis of specific challenges faced by elderly populations, including health, mobility, and psychosocial risks.
- Formulation of recommendations based on identified vulnerabilities and best practices in emergency management and gerontology.
Main Results:
- Older adults require tailored support systems, including tracking, dedicated shelters, and specialized care during disasters.
- Protection against abuse and fraud, alongside accessible public health triage, is essential for vulnerable elderly populations.
- Nurses are uniquely positioned to lead and implement comprehensive disaster preparedness programs for older adults.
Conclusions:
- Proactive, region-specific planning involving social services, medical resources, and gerontological professionals is critical for elder disaster resilience.
- Ethical considerations in triage, transportation, palliative care, and resource distribution must be addressed to ensure equitable support for older adults.
- Healthcare providers, particularly nurses, must be trained to recognize and manage the physical and psychological impacts of disaster relief on both survivors and responders.
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