Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

90 Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
percent of the emergency response organizations indicated they routinely
conduct outreach activities with older persons. However, more grassroots
organizations were less likely to have the resources to maximize emergency
management planning and service to older persons and other high-risk
groups. Forty-three percent of respondents from local organizations stated
half of their job relates directly to emergency management. That finding
contrasted considerably with the 73% of provincial level respondents
who reported that 90% or more of their job relates directly to emergency
management activities. Ninety percent of federal respondents indicated
greater than 90% of their duties relate directly to emergency management.
While many best practices are under way, major gaps are present in meeting
the needs of high-risk populations. While local emergency and voluntary
organizations aim to meet the needs of these groups, they often do
not have the necessary connections to other groups or resources. The report
also emphasized the importance of relationship building between
emergency management and voluntary organizations, connecting with local
organizations that know their high-risk groups best. The authors proposed
that while work is needed at all levels, the federal or highest level
of government should “provide a cross-cutting and integrated framework
at the national level and ensure that emergency management systems are
accountable to those least able to help themselves” (Enarson & Walsh,
p. 43).
The results of research on these three relatively recent Canadian disasters
as well as the Canadian Red Cross study on vulnerable populations
concur in the identification of several major themes. The coordination of
planning and relief and improved communication consistently present as
key issues. Resource gaps are a crosscutting issue. The mental health implications
of disasters are significant for older persons and may manifest
in a variety of ways over time. Older persons demonstrate both vulnerability
and resilience in response to disasters, and it is clear that the gaps
in coordination and resources extend to the mental health arena.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
Consistent with the aforementioned findings, authors of a recent governmental
review identified an urgent need for increased focus on emergency
management and disaster preparedness in Canada (Standing Committee
on National Security and Defense, 2008). Despite the very real need for
more attention to the issues of emergency and disaster preparedness at