Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Chapter 5 National and Cross-National Models of Geriatric Disaster 87
Communication problems were also identified in Lindsay and Hall’s
(2007) report on older persons and the Red River flood. These authors
noted that 75 news releases and 41 public service announcements were
distributed in relation to the disaster; however, none of these messages
were directed to older persons or other high-risk populations. The province
developed a lengthy list of recommendations for change in the wake
of the floods; however, notably absent were any recommendations that
the public, including high-risk groups such as older persons, be included in
disaster planning. Lindsay and Hall (2007) also reported results from the
Aging in Manitoba (AIM) Study, a longitudinal study of Manitoba older
persons. By chance, older persons had been surveyed 10 months before
the flood; they were contacted again after the disaster to collect post-event
comparison data regarding their physical, cognitive, and mental health.
The majority of the older flood victims reported the same level of physical
functioning pre- and post-flood.
The findings on mental health are informative—the flood had a notable
impact. Stress levels for evacuated individuals were higher 10 months
after the disaster than for those who did not experience the flood. Results
were not all negative; some older persons who had been evacuated showed
gains in terms of cognitive status and self-rated health. The authors suggest
that successfully coping with a disaster later in life may provide some
protection, perhaps temporary, against cognitive decline and contribute to
a perception of better overall health in older persons.
Quebec Ice Storm
In 1998, a major ice storm struck central Canada (Quebec and Ontario)
and the Maritime provinces, causing massive power blackouts lasting from
a few days to nearly a month. Because it was winter, the loss of power had
a major impact and affected 67% of Quebecers (Maltais, 2006). Thirty
deaths were attributed to the disaster, and persons 65 and older made up
half of those who died. Deaths in the early days of the storm—from burns,
carbon monoxide poisoning, and hypothermia—were largely preventable.
Death from respiratory disease also rose in the older population from the
improper use of generators, stoves, and faulty heating devices.
Local community organizations had not been included in provincial
emergency response plans and had to cope as best they could. As a result,
organization at some relief centers was poor, particularly for older persons,
as the centers struggled to cope in the early days of the disaster. A
lack of communication and planning between the municipalities and local