Complex emergencies and the effects on older populations

This editorial presents a special issue which addresses the complexity of disasters and their effects on older adults in different countries (U.S. and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and China) across the long-term care continuum (home and community, assisted living and nursing home). Disastrous events, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, continue to take a high economic and human toll across the world, with the burden falling disproportionately on older adults contending with multiple chronic health conditions, reduced mobility, diminished social supports, and other compounding challenges.

These varied factors combine to heighten the difficulty of disaster preparation and recovery, often with the added complication of complex or repeated disaster exposure, from the invisible threat of heat to the rising severity of wildfires and hurricanes. In other words, disaster exposure is rarely limited to one event, and those affected are often dealing with multiple personal barriers. The unique and insightful articles in this issue highlight the effects of disasters, how to mitigate those effects by understanding factors associated with preparedness, and identifying those who are most exposed to disaster risk. Together, these studies identify potential targets for much needed interventions to improve the safety and security of vulnerable older adults.