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Updated: May 5, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
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[Disaster psychiatry in late life]
1Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine
|November 23, 2013
Summary
Elderly individuals, especially those with dementia, require special disaster preparedness. Establishing psychiatric and medical coordination is crucial for managing disaster-induced mental health issues in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Disaster Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake highlighted gaps in disaster preparedness for the elderly.
- Geriatric populations, particularly those with frailty or dementia, face unique risks during disasters.
Observation:
- Disasters can precipitate or exacerbate psychiatric symptoms such as delirium, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Rapid environmental changes and loss of familiar support systems impact the mental well-being of older adults.
Findings:
- Frail and demented elderly must be recognized as a vulnerable group within disaster prevention programs.
- Integrated systems linking psychiatric and medical services are essential for addressing acute mental health needs post-disaster.
- Long-term community support is vital to mitigate depression, alcohol dependence, BPSD, and suicide risk in elderly survivors.
Implications:
- Disaster preparedness strategies must specifically include provisions for geriatric psychiatric care.
- Enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration between mental health and medical professionals is necessary for effective disaster response.
- Fostering new community structures is key to the long-term psychosocial recovery of elderly disaster victims.
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