"Did You Know?" - September 14, 2012

September 14, 2012 Older adults are at greater risk for illness and death [PDF-354KB] during an emergency. During National Preparedness Month, states and communities can review their emergency preparedness plans to ensure they meet the needs of vulnerable older adults. New CDC resources are available that can assist states and communities in planning for the needs of the elderly.  CDC - Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults - Aging

Please share this e-mail with others interested in improving public health practice  http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/better.pdf Older Adult Health & Medical Concerns The health of older adults may decline during emergencies due to multiple factors. Older adults often have more chronic conditions than other age groups, the treatment of which may require daily medications, specialized equipment, and care coordination. Sensory, physiological, and cognitive changes that may occur in the normal course of aging can also make it more difficult for older adults to cope with disaster situations such as extreme temperatures or noisy, crowded shelters. Understanding potential older adult health and medical concerns is essential in order to appropriately plan for these issues before an emergency event.   The following links include information on the specific health-related concerns older adults may face during emergencies.     General Considerations   We Can Do Better: Lessons Learned for Protecting Older Persons in Disasters  [PDF–354K] AARP   CDC’s Disaster Planning Goal: Protect Vulnerable Older Adults  [PDF–174K] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   Recommendations for Best Practices in the Management of Elderly Disaster Victims  [PDF–1.3M] Baylor College of Medicine and American Medical Association   Disaster Preparedness and the Chronic Disease Needs of Vulnerable Older Adults Preventing Chronic Disease Journal   Care of Mentally or Physically Challenged Persons and the Elderly World Health Organization   Preparedness Information for Persons with Disabilities DisabilityPreparedness.gov, Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities Seniors (Adults 65 Years and Older) and the Flu Flu.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services     Mental Health, including Dementia   Older Adults and Disaster: A Mental Health Care Guide  Geriatric Mental Health Foundation   Caring for Someone with Dementia in a Disaster Federal Emergency Management Agency   Elderly Populations in Disasters - Hospital Guidelines for Geriatric Preparedness  [PDF–1.1M] New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene      Chronic Conditions   Multiple Chronic Conditions - A Strategic Framework  [PDF–234K] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services