Frail Elderly

The Promising Practices

SWiFT Triage Tool

The Seniors Without Families Team (SWiFT)
Houston, TX

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The Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP)

Fort Worth Office of Emergency Management
Fort Worth, TX

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Vulnerable Populations Action Team

Seattle King County Public Health
Seattle, WA

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When Words Are Not Enough

Woodside Fire Protection District
Woodside, CA

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Emergency Supply Kits for Homebound Elderly Residents

The Aging Services Council of Central Texas
Austin, TX

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Kentucky Outreach and Information Network (KOIN)

Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Frankfort, KY

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OK-WARN: A Remote Notification Program for the Hearing Impaired

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Oklahoma City, OK

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Public Health Promotores

City of El Paso Department of Public Health
El Paso, TX

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SAFELY OUT™

Citizen Voice
Sacramento, CA

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Overview

Recent disasters, including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and the Chicago heat waves during the previous decade were shocking illustrations of how vulnerable the elderly, particularly the frail elderly, are in disasters. Their vulnerability is not only related to increased prevalence of chronic diseases and functional limitations that are associated with aging but also compounded by social isolation and low income. The following issues are concerns for the frail elderly in disasters:

  • Physical and cognitive limitations, including reduced vision and hearing, dementia, and reduced mobility;
  • Dependence on medications or durable medical equipment (e.g. oxygen containers for those with respiratory conditions);
  • General "frailty," which is characterized by muscle weakness, slow walking speed, exhaustion, low physical activity and little tolerance for physical stress;
  • Social isolation (i.e. lacking families, friends, and neighbors who can provide assistance when an emergency occurs);
  • Difficulties with transportation, as they are more likely to have a disability, have limited income, or choose not to drive; and
  • Resistance to help, fearing that it represents a defeat or a step toward total dependency even during disasters.

Strategies and Resources for Addressing the Public Health Emergency Needs of the Frail Elderly

Why is this group at greater risk? How can planners help this group? What resources are available to help?
Physical and cognitive limitations including general frailty
  1. See this website's section on disabled populations
  2. Partner with programs that can help locate individuals with dementia and mental illnesses who may wander from their homes and/or caregivers during an emergency

Promising practices for disabled populations.

MedicAlert + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return Program

View PDFDisaster Preparedness: Home and Community-Based Services for People With Dementia and Their Caregivers
Dependence on medications or durable medical equipment
  1. Equip shelters with appropriate medications, medical supplies and facilities to address the short-term needs of the frail elderly
  2. Register elderly residents in a special needs registry to provide disability-specific information such as need of medications and medical equipment

Coordinated Care Special Needs Shelter Brevard County Health Department

The Specials Needs Assistance Program

Administration on Aging: Emergency Assistance Guide 2006
Disrupted services (e.g., home health care, food delivery)
  1. Work with service organizations to ensure a continuation of services for elderly populations before, during, and after emergencies
  2. Encourage elderly individuals to assess their needs and take actions to prepare a plan before a disaster
  3. Reach out to the elderly to provide assistance in the wake of a disaster

The Aging Services Council of Central Texas's Emergency Supply Kits for Homebound Elderly Residents

View PDFEmergency Preparedness for Older People

View PDFAmerican Red Cross – Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs
Evacuation challenges (e.g. "transfer trauma")
  1. Develop a plan for addressing the needs of the elderly in mass care shelters

View PDFSeniors Without Families Team (SWiFT) Triage Tool

View PDFWe Can Do Better: Lessons Learned For Protecting Older Persons In Disasters
Social isolation
  1. Have agencies that regularly provide financial, medical, food, and/or transportation assistance proactively offer assistance to elderly rather than waiting for requests
  2. Help older people register for disaster assistance

The Special Needs Assistance Program

Emergency Preparedness a Challenge for Older Americans: Better Disaster Plans Needed for Seniors
Transportation concerns
  1. Create a plan for identifying, ahead of time if possible, people needing assistance to evacuate
  2. Develop a memorandum of understanding/agreement (MOU/MOA) with transportation companies that can be used if the frail and elderly need to be evacuated
  3. Develop a plan for dispensing strategic national stockpile materials to individuals who are unable to leave their homes

Linn County, Iowa's Program to Evacuate Individuals with Disabilities and Other Special Needs

View PDFMOU Between Main and Maine Motor Transport Association

Oklahoma City-County Health Department's System for Dispensing Strategic National Stockpile Materials to Immobile Populations
Post-disaster scams targeting the elderly
  1. Educate the population about how to avoid scams
  2. Build a network of community-based organizations to rapidly share information about scams that are being perpetrated in the wake of an emergency

Federal Trade Commission Information on Avoiding Scams

Home Improvement Scams Alert

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