Disaster preparedness: older adults' perspectives
by R. Tuohy; C. Stephens; D. Johnston
International Journal of Emergency Management (IJEM), Vol. 11, No. 1, 2015

Abstract: This paper focuses on age-specific disaster preparedness for older adults in order to reduce the disproportionate negative outcomes experienced by older adults during and after a disaster. Semi-structured interviews (16) were conducted in New Zealand with independent older adults living in the community. Thematic analysis provided rich detail about older adults' personal, social and cultural influences on preparedness. Age-specific challenges revealed practical and functional demands around the nature of preparedness actions associated with caring for a dependent spouse, reduced physical mobility, and loss of driving skills. Social networks and opportunities for interaction, together with socio-cultural norms of independence influenced how older adults negotiated disaster preparedness in non-disaster times. These results are discussed within a socio-cultural context, and suggest that age-specific planning for this vulnerable population group needs to account for the dual challenges older adults face: managing everyday independence, and personal responsibility for adopting and maintaining disaster preparedness.

Online publication date: Wed, 20-May-2015

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Emergency Management (IJEM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

    Username:        Password:         

Forgotten your password?


Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com