This chapter reviews the empirical evidence regarding mental health consequences of disasters in older adults. In addition, important implications for disaster policy and planning for the needs of the aging population are discussed. A recent quantitative review of mental health in a broad range of disaster survivors reported differential protective effects associated with older age in only 2 of 17 distinct samples that included older adults. Two themes of relative deprivation were identified in older adults: the loss of symbolic assets, and the preoccupation with time. The empirical literature on the effects of natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes on the mental health of older adults is equivocal and varies according to a variety of factors. Compared to natural disasters, much less is known about the effects of human-made catastrophes in the lives of older adults. Technological disasters can be caused by human error or major industrial accidents.

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the book Mental Health and Disasters. The book is the definitive reference on mental health and disasters. It focuses on the assessment and treatment of the full spectrum of psychopathologies associated with many different types of individual disasters. The book talks about the mental health consequences of disasters. It provides a synthesis of the current knowledge of the mental health effects of disaster. The book focuses on key aspects of vulnerability and resilience in the face of disasters. It overviews the scientific literature on the key known determinants of the mental health consequences of disasters. The book discusses the science of interventions after disasters, along with the barriers and challenges faced in providing mental health care services after these events. It presents detailed explorations of a number of sentinel natural, technological, and human-made disasters.