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Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

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232 <strong>Geriatric</strong> <strong>Mental</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Disaster</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Emergency</strong> <strong>Preparedness</strong><br />

as reachable <strong>and</strong> visible in others <strong>and</strong> themselves <strong>and</strong> who allow themselves<br />

to yield control to God typically have positive coping abilities <strong>and</strong><br />

lessened feelings of anxiety (Aten, et al., 2008). Identifying disaster survivors’<br />

images of God could allow for social interaction <strong>and</strong> support among<br />

those with similar God images ( Aten, et al.).<br />

Spiritual direction <strong>and</strong> counsel provided by the clergy are important<br />

during all phases of a disaster (Greene & Graham, 2006; Roberts & Ashley,<br />

2008). In the United States, clergy have been involved formally in<br />

postdisaster spiritual care since the enactment of the Aviation <strong>Disaster</strong><br />

Assistance Act of 1996. The role of the clergy is not to convert but to be<br />

attentive <strong>and</strong> comforting to emotional needs that disaster victims <strong>and</strong> recovery<br />

workers may have as a result of the disaster ( Davidowitz-Farkas &<br />

Hutchinson-Hall, 2005; Roberts & Ashley). Some of the ways clergy can<br />

assist during disasters are listed in Table 12.1.<br />

Two programs developed for veterans that make use of spirituality<br />

also could be adapted for older persons. Chaplain William P. Mahedy has<br />

initiated a program called the Spiritual Bootcamp for Combat Veterans.<br />

The program incorporates the Alcoholics Anonymous model to move veterans<br />

who experience feelings of helplessness to a place of reliance on a<br />

greater spiritual being (Sigmund, 2003). The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder<br />

Residential Rehabilitation Program (PRRP) at Dayton VA Medical<br />

utilizes a spirituality group that focuses on forgiveness <strong>and</strong> acceptance as<br />

tools for letting go <strong>and</strong> releasing anger for those with symptoms of PTSD<br />

(Sigmund).<br />

The prayer wheel, which originated from the Buddhist tradition <strong>and</strong> is<br />

illustrated in Figure 12.1, is a nondenominational way of interactive prayer<br />

adapted for use with older persons (Rajagopal, MacKenzie, Bailey, &<br />

Lavizzo-Mourey, 2002; Rossiter-Thornton, 2000). It has been found to be<br />

effective for relieving symptoms of subsyndromal anxiety in a small sample<br />

<strong>and</strong> could be used with groups of older adults following a disaster.<br />

Each component takes 5 minutes to complete. Participants choose either<br />

a private or public response to each of the eight portions of the wheel<br />

as directed by the particular component. This technique may empower<br />

older persons <strong>and</strong> help restore some control over their life situations (Rajagopal,<br />

et al., 2002; Rossiter-Thornton, 2000).<br />

The Spiritual Practices Web site provides an ongoing interdenominational<br />

<strong>and</strong> nonreligious set of spiritual practices based upon 37 key spiritual<br />

words. The practices include quotations, videos, books, art, music,<br />

<strong>and</strong> inspirational synopses that one can use with a group for reflection <strong>and</strong><br />

discussion or for individual reflection ( Brussat & Brussat, 2008). The prac-

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