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Paper Outline

Title: Emergency Preparedness among the Elderly: Challenges, Evacuation, and Recommendations

I. Abstract: The purpose of the discussion is to explore the challenges associated with emergency preparedness among the aged. The elderly population is increasing at an unprecedented rate, with the numbers expected to triple by 2050. The needs for this population in emergency situations are diverse due to their ages as well as associated illnesses. Challenges exist in the education and training of the elderly on issues of anticipating emergency situations and how to deal with then when they occur. Recommendations on dealing with the elderly in emergency preparedness should focus on promoting protection, inclusion, meeting practical needs and providing financial resources. The evacuation processes will be discussed to understand what the elderly need in emergency situations and how they can be made a part of the process. Emphasis on education and training will be critical to ensure that each understands what to do in certain circumstances of emergency.

II. Main Topics

A. The current state of preparedness for the elderly

i. The elderly are socially vulnerable and should be considered in disaster preparedness (Fountain et al., 2019).

ii. Most of the aged people have numerous illnesses that may interfere with the evacuation process

iii. In the United States, most of the elderly live on their own without any close relatives to help in times of emergencies (Dulebenets et al., 2019).

B. Challenges in emergency planning for the elderly

i. While some may be literate, understanding the needs for an emergency may be difficult.

ii. The caregivers understand the need for preparedness and may not involve the elderly making it challenging (Fountain et al., 2019).

iii. Most of the aged need medical supplies and equipment during evacuation or in emergencies that they may not carry due to their medical issues.

C. Need for education and training for the elderly on emergency planning

i. Education and training could help in preparedness among the elderly.

ii. Training could be done among social groups in neighboring houses to encourage preparedness for all households (Choi et al., 2019).

iii. Encourage community policing that can help identify if everyone is catered for during evacuation.

D. Evacuation process relevant for the elderly

i. The housing structure should be checked for appropriateness, including the availability of wheelchair friendly paths, blocked doors and exit ways (Dulebenets et al., 2019).

ii. Annual risk assessment of the area should be carried out to show what might be expected and what to do in the initial stages of emergencies.

iii. Emergency preparedness kits should be pre-packed for the elderly according to the needs with regular checking of the packages for appropriateness (Tannous, Agho & Williams Tetteh, 2017)

iv. A list of emergency contacts for each household should be established to help the elderly make the right calls during emergencies and after evacuation.

III. Expected conclusion: The analysis will reveal the challenges that the aged face and what methods can be used in helping the elderly be prepared in case of emergencies. Considering the various conditions of the aged, the discussion will show specific items that should guide the emergency planning kit (Choi et al., 2019). Further, a training program can be developed to help the elderly in preparing for emergencies while offering the required kits to use in case of disasters. It is expected that the establishment of a community program will be more relevant to help the neighbors coordinate when disaster strikes. Lastly, communication channels will be provided with emergency contacts available for the elderly. The paper will give a direction on how to involve the elderly in emergency preparedness.

References

Choi, M., Lee, S., Hwang, S., Park, M., & Lee, H. S. (2019). Comparison of Emergency Response Abilities and Evacuation Performance Involving Vulnerable Occupants in Building Fire Situations. Sustainability, 12(1), 1-19.

Dulebenets, M. A., Abioye, O. F., Ozguven, E. E., Moses, R., Boot, W. R., & Sando, T. (2019). Development of statistical models for improving efficiency of emergency evacuation in areas with vulnerable population. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 182, 233-249.

Fountain, L., Tofa, M., Haynes, K., Taylor, M. R., & Ferguson, S. J. (2019). Older adults in disaster and emergency management: what are the priority research areas in Australia? International journal of disaster risk reduction, 39, 101248.

Tannous, W. K., Agho, K., & Williams Tetteh, V. (2017). Association between home visit programs and emergency preparedness among elderly vulnerable people in New South Wales, Australia. Gerontology and geriatric medicine, 3, 2333721417700758.