Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

98 Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
In preparation for the Second International Workshop on Seniors and
Emergency Preparedness held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in March 2008
(PHAC, March 2008), older persons in British Columbia were randomly
surveyed on what their concerns would be if confronted by a disaster. The
survey gave clear indications of issues that need to be addressed. Older
persons were most concerned by potential disruptions in routine, the
loss of family and friends, and the loss of other support networks. Older
persons also wanted to be recognized for their capacity to be active as
volunteers in emergency preparedness and planning and to have their experience
and skills utilized. The concept of resilient older persons shifted
the focus of emergency preparedness planning from a vulnerable population
perspective to a functional needs framework. The functional needs
framework looks at mobility, communication, and supervision needs,
among other key dimensions of functionality. This framework allows planners
to look at all at-risk groups in a coherent, integrated manner without
isolating one specific population. Work surrounding the framework to develop
best practice guidelines is being led by Karen Martin, emergency
preparedness coordinator, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities.
THE FUTURE OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT
AND PREPAREDNESS AND THE OLDER
ADULT POPULATION IN CANADA
Disasters do not occur in isolation; they have major social consequences.
Increased attention to the issues of emergency and disaster preparedness
for older persons in Canada has also focused attention on several conceptual
and pragmatic issues warranting continuing study and discussion.
We suggest that the various activities on older adult disaster management
under way in Canada—government initiatives, academic developments,
community projects, and the many and varied activities of numerous experts—reflect
some common directions for the future of disaster management
in general as well as specific to geriatric mental health. These include
the following factors.
Shared Accountability
Canadians are relatively well prepared to respond to disaster situations.
Federal, provincial, and territorial agencies have historically addressed
disaster management as an individual departmental responsibility. While