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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Bonnie Selzler, PhD, RN, Consultant, 2801 93rd Street, SE, Bismarck, ND 58504, 701-471-7017, bselzler@btinet.net and Lisa C. Patton, PhD, Westat, 1650 Research Boulevard, RA 1154, Rockville, MD 20850.

Demographic projections indicate that the aging baby boomers will increase the proportion of persons over age 65 from 13 percent today to 20 percent by 2030. Older adults, as demonstrated most recently by Hurricane Katrina, have special needs in the face of disaster. Disaster preparedness and response must take into account the special needs of older adults in terms of mobility issues, medication stockpiling/replenishment, medical issues, and relocation of benefits. Evacuation and shelter-in-place demands for older adults must be considered early in the planning process. For example, most disaster preparedness information is conveyed through brochures and fact sheets – large print materials must be developed. Hearing loss may prevent an older person from hearing important safety information in a noisy shelter, and low literacy could impede efforts to apply for government aid. After disasters, the emotional impact may be more deeply felt by older adults, as they strive to recover from new losses coupled with normative losses often experienced as one ages.

Older adults are found throughout communities, including on their own, in independent living facilities, assisted living centers, nursing homes and senior centers. This vulnerable population may be particularly impacted by disasters, and disaster planners must reach out to identify the needs of this hidden population.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how older adults are uniquely vulnerable to disaster and can also be strong resources during disaster recovery;
• Learn how to gear disaster planning/preparedness to the needs of older adults; and
• Discuss appropriate means of communicating disaster information to older adults/caregivers.

Keywords: Disasters, Elderly

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered