Boosting disaster resilience among older adults

This research brief provides an overview of research conducted to better understand the role of aging-in-place efforts in enhancing the disaster resilience of older adults. The research team interviewed key informants from three stakeholder groups — staff from 11 public health departments, 16 AFC leaders, and 10 village executive directors.

Key findings:

• Older adults are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters but also possess assets that can contribute to disaster preparedness.
• Public health department efforts to promote disaster preparedness do not always accommodate the needs of older adults.
• Aging-in-place efforts—activities to help older adults live well in their homes and communities rather than in institutional settings—focus on daily needs rather than on disaster resilience.
• Current aging-in-place efforts can be harnessed to strengthen disaster resilience among older adults.
• Collaborations between public health departments and organizations that promote aging in place could improve disaster resilience among older populations.