Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Chapter 2 Older Persons in Disasters and Emergencies 33
stressors wanes. When this capacity becomes sufficiently low that relatively
small stressors overwhelm the individual’s ability to cope, that person
is frail.
Most persons aged 65 –75, unless they have had major toxic effects
such as cigarettes and alcohol or disease effects, especially diabetes mellitus
and heart disease, will be able to cope about as well as persons in their
50s and early 60s and should not be considered at unusual risk in disasters.
But virtually all persons aged 85 and over are physically frail, as are
a proportion, increasing with age, of those between 75 and 85.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF OLDER PERSONS
Emotional Strengths and Weaknesses
Many older persons will be able to cope with disasters as well as, or perhaps
better than, younger persons ( Foster, 1997 ). The emotional response
to catastrophe is often as problematic as the physical consequences. But
older persons are often more emotionally tolerant of stresses than their
children. This may be related to the fact that they have survived through
more traumas in their lives. And perhaps those who have shown more resilience
with psychological coping are more likely to have survived to older
age ( Tugade, Fredrickson, & Barrett, 2004 ).
Although older persons may exhibit greater emotional strength and
reserve, they also may have greater concerns in disaster situations. In addition
to normal worries, they often worry about their physical health, especially
if they have significant diseases. Those less healthy and robust
will naturally have more concern about their ability to cope physically with
the disaster, therefore increasing the risk of anxiety.
Healthy Older Persons as a Resource
Contrary to the perception of older persons as merely receivers of assistance
in disasters, we need to recognize that they also can contribute. Their
wisdom and experience may help them modulate fearful reactions that
may be harmful; their examples may be helpful to others in meeting the
challenges. Many older persons have already served as caregivers to frail
family members, and most have cared for children. They have lived lives
with careers and experiences that may be very useful in dealing with disasters.