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Frail Elderly as Disaster Victims: Emergency Management Strategies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Lauren S. Fernandez ,
Deana Byard ,
Chien-Chih Lin ,
Samuel Benson  and
Joseph A. Barbera
Lauren S. Fernandez*
Affiliation:
Graduate Student (Crisis and Emergency Management), Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC Senior Member of the Professional Staff, SRA International
Deana Byard
Affiliation:
Graduate Student (Crisis and Emergency Management), Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Chien-Chih Lin
Affiliation:
Graduate Student (Crisis and Emergency Management), Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Samuel Benson
Affiliation:
Director of Health and Medical Preparedness, New York City Office of Emergency Management, New York City, New York
Joseph A. Barbera
Affiliation:
Associate Professor of Engineering Management (Crisis and Emergency Management), Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, and Co-Director, The Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
*
230 N Wakefield St., Arlington, VA 22203 USA e-mail: LSchiff@gwu.edu
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Abstract

Purpose:

To identify the vulnerabilities of elderly to disasters, and to develop strategies to address these vulnerabilities.

Methods:

A relevant literature search of journal articles, government training materials, news reports, and materials from senior organizations was conducted.

Results:

The vulnerability of the elderly to disasters is related to their impaired physical mobility, diminished sensory awareness, chronic health conditions, and social and economic limitations that prevent adequate preparation for disasters, and hinder their adaptability during disasters. Frail elderly, those with serious physical, cognitive, economic, and psycho-social problems, are at especially high risk.

Conclusions:

This segment of the population is growing rapidly. Therefore, it is important that emergency management recognize the frail elderly as a special needs population, and develop targeted strategies that meet their needs. Several management strategies are presented and recommendations for further action are proposed.

Keywords

disasterelderlyemergency management strategyemergency management systemfrail elderlyvulnerability
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 17 , Issue 2 , June 2002 , pp. 67 - 74
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2002

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