1. Presented By: Dee Grimm RN, JD Director of Business and Program Development Considerations for Older Adults in Disasters

2. Older Adults and Disasters Persons 65+ represent 14.1% of U.S. population By 2030 65+ will represent 20% of the population One-third of older adults live by themselves Admissions to skilled nursing homes increased threefold in past 2 decades 70% of 65+ have 2 or more chronic conditions 67% of older adults with long term care needs rely on family and friends for support and assistance 43 million family members bear responsibility for caring for elders (one third of those with dementia)

3. Hurricane Katrina’s toll on older persons 50% of the 1200 killed in New Orleans were over 75 years –Only represented 11.7% of total population 150,000 Medicare beneficiaries were displaced Older persons frequently were without necessary medications or equipment Dementia patients were difficult to locate for up to 2-3 months Significant increase in 30/90 day mortality and hospitalization of Medicare patients after Katrina and rate of functional decline in nursing home patients in Mississippi and Louisiana Source: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Report, 2005 Disaster Med Public Health Prep “Effects of Hurricane Katrina on Nursing Facility Residents Mortality, Hospitalization and Functional decline Mario Tama / Via Getty

4. Older Adults in Disasters Preparedness : – Older persons are less likely to evacuate after warnings are issued – They tend to live in homes that are more prone to suffer damage (older and/or in disrepair) Response : – Evacuation of vulnerable older persons can be complex, difficult, and dangerous – Requires more resources and specialized disaster assistance – Less able to manage decompensation of medical status Recovery : – Because of cognitive or physical limitations, recovery or resettlement can be prolonged – Less likely to access post-disaster assistance – Loss of pre-disaster services can be profound Jacobs DG, et. al. Journal of Trauma, 2003. Sander et. al., J Geron Soc Work, 2003 Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Report, 2005

5. What makes the Older Adult different from Younger Adults? Decreased ability to manage stressors and faster decompensation More likely to be attached to their homes/neighborhoods Different medical problems - more medications and durable medical equipment May have different preferences and goals, cultural and ethical beliefs Less likely to have transportation options Limited social media formats Source: FEMA Library

6. Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults Evacuation and sheltering-in-place plans need to be designed for older adults Responders, planners needs to understand the needs of the older adult Educate older adults about self preparedness Understand importance of social networks dependency of the older adults Emphasis on replacement of services post disasters are more critical for older adults Educate and involve caregivers in disaster preparedness and issues related to older adults in disasters Source: Caring for Older Adults in Disasters, National Center for Disaster Medicine and public Health, Uniform Services University of the Health Science