Caring for Elderly Adults During Disasters

Abstract

Elderly adults are faced with many unique health challenges during disasters and public health emergencies. The healthcare system can mitigate the risks to vulnerable elders by recognizing the variations in the environment in which they live and receive care and the likelihood of financial and social isolation and creating disaster medical care plans that address these issues. Healthcare providers and systems can improve health outcomes for older adults following disasters via specific predisaster-planning steps that engage not only the older patient but also the community. Resources are available to help augment geriatric patient care knowledge and formulate best practices for eldercare during disasters.