Natural Disasters and the Elderly

Paper Summary:

This paper explores many of the emotional issues the elderly encounter when faced with a natural disaster. The author addresses feelings of vulnerability and isolation that are particular to the senior population. The writer also discusses how problems the elderly already experiences, such as mental health issues and dementia, may be compounded by a natural disaster. A natural disaster may also bring out previous traumas from the senior's life. The author concludes that natural disasters can increase and exacerbate stress and anxiety in the elderly and possibly lead to serious psychological issues.

From the Paper:

"Studies have also focused on the fact that the elderly experience certain identifiable and particular stress factors and vulnerabilities in the face of natural disasters. "We must acknowledge that certain vulnerabilities exist among many elders and that these vulnerabilities are likely to intensify at times of disaster and during the often lengthy recovery process" (Oriol W.) The realization of the vulnerability of older people to disaster is evidenced by the collaboration between Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) and The National Council on the Aging (NCOA), in bringing an important resource to communities to improve crisis counseling for the elderly. (Oriol W.) Therefore there is a growing body of research which mirrors the concern about the effects of emotional and psychological stress on the elderly in times of natural disaster."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Butler, R. N., Lewis, M., and Sunderland, T. ( 1991) Aging and Mental Health. Positive Psychosocial and Biomedical Approaches, Fourth Edition. New York: Merrill
• Care for the growing number of elderly people in developing countries needs to be addressed. Retrieved September 24, 2006, from http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/316/7141/1387/a#B2
• Erickson, E.H. ( 1959) Identity and the Life Cycle: Selected Papers. New York: International Universities Press.
• Javois, L. ( 1998) U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Mental Health. Interview. February 1998 in Oriol W. Psychosocial Issues for Older Adults in Disasters. Retrieved September 24, 2006, from http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:hRBuxs9qaZwJ:media.shs.net/ken/pdf/SMA99-3323/99-821.pdf+The+psychological+and+emotional+stress+experienced+by+older+adults+as+a+result+of+natural+disasters&hl=en&gl=za&ct=clnk&cd=2&lr=lang_en
• Lieberman, M. A., & Tobin, S. S. (1988). The Experience of Old Age: Stress, Coping, and Survival. New York: Basic Books. Retrieved September 25, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=65319982

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