315039
Increasing Community Resilience in Seniors during Emergencies in the District of Columbia
DC DOH protects the public health, safety of residents, visitors, including unique challenges of aging population, those with access, functional needs, through an all hazards preparedness and response approach to mitigate public health and healthcare impacts.
During emergencies, older adults are particularly vulnerable, due to communications and mobility issues and frequently stress healthcare systems. Older adults often lack resilience, the ability to get through and bounce back after an emergency.
Purpose & Objectives
DOH seeks to increase community resilience and reduce negative impacts on the aging population, those with the access and functional needs by taking a proactive planning approach, including robust communications, key technologies, partnerships and post event response evaluation.
Methods
DOH partnered with community and healthcare organizations to develop strategies and mitigation plans addressing the needs of older adults during emergencies that build community resilience. The strategies include preparedness and resilience training, shelter in place and COOP planning, development of the Vulnerable Populations Community and Healthcare Coalition, partnerships, support and increased community connections to reduce the negative impact on the healthcare system.
Measurable Objective
Community and healthcare organization partners, communications, mitigation plan, older adults trained.
Results
DOH staff identified those at risk of severe, negative health impacts during emergencies and developed mitigation strategies. Increased community resilience, increased ability to age in place, reduced stress on the health care system.
Outcomes
Aging population was trained, able to age in place and resilient.
Conclusions
DC addresses needs of aging population to increase resilience and reduce stress on healthcare systems.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health educationLearning Objectives:
Demonstrate community resilience.
Demonstrate reduced stress on healthcare systems and reduced transports during emergencies.
Demonstrate ability for seniors to shelter in place during emergencies.
Keyword(s): Aging, Disasters
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Serve as Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and the Director of Community Preparedness and Resilience in the District of Columbia Department of Health. Oversee Emergency Health care Coalition and Vulnerable Populations Community and Health Care Coalition. Background in environmental public health and previously serves as State vet and Environmental Health Director.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.