Older people’s vulnerabilities and resilience
Older people are at various risks during a disaster. Social categories, such as class, gender, ethnicity, geographical location, and abilities, influence their ability to access and obtain necessary resources during a disaster. For example, during the lockdown measures, some countries did not consider the need for caregivers/visitors to accompany older people with cognitive impairments in the emergency room, hindering them from getting immediate care. The policies implemented to protect vulnerable populations might fail to regard other factors.
For this section, you can use the 2023 Nova Scotia flooding as an example. Below is the link to some news articles about the flooding:
- ‘Biblical proportions’: 3 months’ worth of rainfall floods Nova Scotia, forcing evacuations as crews search for missing people
- 4 Missing after Floods Cause Devastation in Nova Scotia
Activity 6
Pick two case stories or two older people you are familiar with. You are a healthcare practitioner volunteering at one of the comfort centres helping them. What are the things you need to consider so they can stay at the comfort station safely and comfortably?
- Are there any differences in the needs of these two older people?
- How do their identities influence their needs?
Connect to a case story