this blog entry is also accessed via bit.ly/ElderPreparedness | updated 13June2017
Another very busy week again here for us at EVAQ8.co.uk, making sure your orders go out without delay while we’re stocking and organizing the new premises all at the same time. We’re also hiring again and so I’ve read close to one hundred CV’s of young people wanting to come work with us just these last two days. Being confronted with so many youthful stories of diversity and resilience I suddenly remembered my notes on Emergency Preparedness for older adults – the higher end of the age spectrum which so often remains under-represented. Needless to say, this afternoon I took this inner prompt to heart straight away for this is too important a topic to get buried yet again in my never diminishing pile of interesting resilience and emergency preparedness topics.
And so, without futher delay – did you know?
26 million older people are affected by natural disasters every year
.. and that’s just counting natural disasters, not conflict or war.
By 2050, the number of people over 60 will triple from 650 million (11% of the world population) to two billion (22%). A global ageing population means more and more will be affected.
Older people are deemed a ‘high-risk’ group in that they may be less agile, less mobile, may suffer cognitive impairments and are more susceptible to heat and cold exposure. However, older people can also be a real asset in a crisis. Most of those that have lived past six or seven decades have experienced more than one type of emergency or disaster. Their stories and insights not only may support those that are frightened and depressed but can also bring real wisdom and hope.
The topic of ageing and resilience is a complex yet one thing is clear:
Emergency Preparedness helps build resilience for older people
- it brings a sense of self-efficacy, the ability to handle one’s own problems
- it promotes flexibility and adaptability
- it provides a focus and sense of purpose through meaningful activities and planning
- it taps into often existing coping styles and optimism such as the ability to see silver linings and to look positively to the future
These factors, according to researchers, are more important to obtaining happiness in aging than perfect health. Isn’t that simply brilliant?
Of course, there is a lot more… I’ve just added four books to my reading list on ageing and resilience. It will be interesting!
I hope you will enjoy and share our new page on practical Emergency Preparedness for older adults with all the elders in your circle of friends and family. You may also enjoy reading Resilience and the importance of Role Models. I wish you a good week.
Monika
From victims to game changers: older people can transform disaster risk reduction > https://t.co/haV4l2A1mo #MexicoGP2017 @unisdr pic.twitter.com/eSdKXYT0HN
— HelpAge (@HelpAge) June 13, 2017
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References:
- Edwards, E., Hall, J. and Zautra, A. (2012) Elder Care – a Resource for Interprofessional Providers, Arizona Center Of Aging (online)
- Sir Brendan Gormley KCMG MBE; Trustee of Age International and former DEC CEO, DEC – Older People in Emergencies
- Help Age International – Older People in Emergencies
Edit: added for particular interest:
New documentary on how elders in Japan helped the community recover after the 2011 disaster. See today: http://t.co/jph0H1W7Fy #WCDRR
— GFDRR (@GFDRR) March 18, 2015
Our rapidly ageing world is the defining population trend of today: https://t.co/z1wDsZX8Wh #WorldPopulationDay pic.twitter.com/RnPOQLvARt — HelpAge (@HelpAge) July 11, 2016