Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

380 Appendix I A Guide to Developing Training Programs
preparedness. Training programs can vary and may include face-to-face,
Web-based, and self-study modalities, among others. It is crucial that
health care agencies throughout the country begin creating and implementing
training programs in geriatric emergency preparedness in an effort
to meet the special needs of a growing older population. According
to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration
on Aging, the population of individuals 65 and older will increase from
35 million in 2000 to 40 million in 2010, a 15% increase, and then to
55 million in 2020, a 36% increase for that decade. By 2030, there will be
about 72.1 million older persons, almost twice as many as in 2007. People
65 years old and older made up 12.6% of the population in 2007 but are
projected to be 19.3% of the population by 2030. The 85-and-older population
is expected to increase from 5.5 million in 2007 to 5.8 million in
2010 and then to 6.6 million in 2020 (Administration on Aging, 2008).
All health care professionals need to be prepared in the event they
are called upon to assist older persons during or after an emergency. Historically,
older people have been overlooked in emergencies and disasters
as many of this book’s chapters have underscored. Disasters in the United
States such as September 11, 2001, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Rita
are just a few examples of major emergencies both unforeseen and extremely
difficult to control afterward. Older persons and other vulnerable
groups, such as the disabled, often fell between the cracks during and after
these disasters in part because health care providers and other emergency
responders were not prepared to address their unique needs.
STEPS IN SETTING UP A TRAINING PROGRAM
Several important steps will help assure success when setting up a training
program in geriatric emergency preparedness. While there may be
variations to procedures due to the size and purpose of a particular program,
certain measures should be followed by any organization. If a training
program already is developed and in place, it is vital that the agency
review how it is currently managed and evaluated. If no programs are in
place, the following suggestions may be useful when setting up a training
program within your organization ( Versitas Corporation, 2006).
Management Approval
One of the first steps in creating an emergency preparedness training
program is to receive proper management approval. Permission to create