Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

268 Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
Contingency Card #5
Sue and Mack Back, who live on the ground floor, are evacuated from
the building. They tell Rabbi Moss the names and locations of the Darlings’s
children so his team from the temple might reach them. Marcella
Bella and Terry Berry get stuck on the third floor as a large section of the
fourth floor collapses onto their floor.
Team Leader/Facilitator’s Guide
This scenario is designed to elicit discussion on a variety of topics related
to mental health in older persons during disasters. Following is a list of
issues to be addressed during or after the role-playing exercise. The scenario
and its role-playing are designed to elicit discussion on the topics
in the list. The list is by no means exhaustive, and participants may introduce
additional concerns. The team leader/facilitator may, if appropriate,
briefly stop the action of the role-play to interject comments and have
the group focus on concrete resources available to alleviate a problem
being discussed. The team will resume the role-play after the particular
issue has been discussed satisfactorily and a plan of action has been developed.
Usually, however, the team leader/facilitator will allow the role-play
to continue for the full period until all the contingency cards have been
used. During the post-play feedback period, the team leader/facilitator
reviews the issues addressed by the team and adds any items from the list
that have not been covered. Possible solutions to the problems, as well as
resources, techniques, and steps in planning actions, should be included
by the facilitator and group at this time.
CONCLUSION
Health care professionals and allied health care workers need an effective
vehicle for identifying older people at risk for developing a wide range
of mental health problems during a disaster or emergency. The interdisciplinary
team can be the key vehicle for identifying risk and making informed
treatment decisions regarding older patients and clients. The
interdisciplinary team also can be a vehicle for managing the normal stress
related to caring for chronically ill older persons and especially managing
the stress associated with caregiving during disasters and emergencies.