Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

258 Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
SUMMARY OF INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM OUTCOMES FOR THE STEPS
EXERCISE (Continued )
STEPS
PROCESS TEAM OUTCOMES/DECISIONS/ACTIONS
Table 13.2
develops survival strategies and prepares
survival kits, Go Bags, etc. Faith-based
support involves inviting members to share
their spirituality/faith and partner with
someone of the same beliefs/faith.
“Iron Sharpens Iron” model. Establish
buddy system.
n Staff program develops team contract
and discusses fears and how to cope. Use
stress management program by Toner &
Meyer, 2008.
n Caregivers program: develop plan for
members; invite family and caregivers to
workshops; prepare survival kits, Go Bags,
etc. Seek donations from community.
Establish buddy system: Assess older
persons and establish partnering of vulnerable
with less vulnerable for support
in crisis.
n Public educational seminars. Develop
and deliver disaster seminars and involve
community. Reach out to clergy, fi re and
police departments, community activists,
Area Agencies on Aging, emergency response
organizations.
2. Develop/identify assessment tools to identify
older people at risk during disasters.
n Main goal: To develop an assessment tool
to identify older residents and others in
the community who are particularly at risk
during disasters.
n Assessment tool should be brief and to
the point. No more than 10 questions.
Target recipients: Older people with higher
needs (i.e., oxygen, wheelchairs, and
others at high risk) are target. Target settings:
homebound, senior centers nutrition
program attendees, etc. Integrate tool into
existing tools.
n Assessment tool questions about
physical needs and medications