Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Chapter 7 Making the Community Plan 127
terests (Hawe & Shiell; Woolcock, 1998). In the context of disasters, social
capital can reduce psychological distress by bringing about mutually beneficial
collective action (Nakagawa & Shaw, 2004); in addition to the ability
of social capital to promote a flow of support through and between social
networks, the integrity and synergy ( Woolcock) of larger social institutions
in disaster response can engender distress or recovery.
Norris and colleagues (2008) identified social capital as one of the four
networked capacities central to community resilience in times of disaster.
In their model, social capital is linked with economic development, information
and communication, and community competence. It is made up of
social network structure, social support, social embeddedness, organizational
linkages and cooperation, citizen participation, attachment to place,
and sense of community (Norris, et al.). In the wake of Hurricane Katrina,
many people were displaced from their homes and communities for an
extended period (Galea, et al., 2008). In addition to experiencing eroding
existing social support networks, sense of community, and attachment to
place, Katrina victims lost trust in governmental assistance due to confusing
or incomplete public announcements regarding federal financial assistance
available to disaster victims ( White House, 2006). The result of
this deterioration of social capital and other stressors was an increased
burden of PTSD among those living in disaster-affected areas at the time of
Hurricane Katrina (Galea, et al.). Strategies for community preparedness
and resilience rely upon the development of multilevel social networks,
social capital, and linkages between the local, political, legal, and economic
sectors to improve positive functioning after a disaster (Adger, Hughes,
Folke, Carpenter, & Rockstrom, 2005; Norris, et al.).
Older Adults and Social Support
Exposure to disasters impacts the health status of older adults and results
in greater physical health effects when there are greater personal losses
and community destruction ( Phifer, Kaniasty, & Norris, 1988). In addition
to the vulnerability created by physiological, cognitive, sensory, and medical
needs (Aldrich & Benson, 2008), older adults may be more susceptible
to the effects of disaster due to their lower economic resources and weaker
social support (Thompson, et al., 1993). In one study of Hurricane Hugo,
older adults were the least likely to provide and receive support compared
to younger and middle-aged adults following a disaster (Thompson, et al.).
As such, older adults can either experience a pattern of neglect—where they
receive less help than their younger counterparts, as seen with Hurricane