Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Chapter 17 Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders 349
caregiver at greater risk for not being as resilient when facing a disaster
situation.
Tips and suggestions for preparing for a disaster are helpful for planning.
However, the majority of Alzheimer’s caregivers are limited in their
ability to develop disaster plans by a shortage of time and energy. Many
caregivers find it difficult to plan for usual care in a rational and thoughtful
way. They are burdened by the demands of caregiving, which compete
with career and other family responsibilities. It is important for caregivers
to get the support and assistance that can help normalize the range of their
emotional responses. Programs that allow caregivers to share their feelings
in an accepting environment lessen the likelihood that those feelings
will get acted out in ways that are not constructive or result in poor care.
For families caring for those with dementia who live in areas at high
risk for natural disasters, it is especially important to plan ahead, to be familiar
with evacuation routes, to have a go-bag/emergency kit, and to take
other steps as outlined earlier. The consequences of not planning for a
disaster if you live in an earthquake-, flood-, hurricane-, or tornado-prone
area can be extremely serious. The result may be injury or loss of life, or
at very minimum significant disruption for the person with dementia and
his or her caregiver. Information in Table 17.1 may provide some guidance
for planning ahead.
Understanding the Reactions of Persons
With Dementia During Disasters
Disasters and emergency situations are difficult for anyone. The sheer
unpredictability of a disaster requires problem-solving skills, flexibility,
and an understanding that many things are out of one’s control. Because
Alzheimer’s disease affects all levels of cognition, including memory, judgment,
orientation, and abstract thinking, the ability of the person with
dementia to understand and cope with a disaster situation is greatly challenged.
Complicating matters further, older people with Alzheimer’s disease
are at greater risk for restriction, abuse, neglect, and mistreatment,
especially at times of crisis (Fulmer & Gurland, 1996).
Imagine being faced with an evacuation due to an impending hurricane.
There are many things to consider, including gathering your necessary
belongings, deciding where to go, determining how to get there,
and planning for safety. Now imagine that you have dementia. You might
forget from moment to moment what is happening, but everyone around
you is busy making preparations. Other people are likely to be anxious,