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Elderly living in shelters suffer a decrease in activity caused by various mental and physical factors. The shelter environment often causes problems for the elderly who may have difficulties transferring the activities of their daily lives to a new setting. In addition, since there may be a delay in evacuation following disaster, the elderly may end up living in poor conditions such as in the aisles or doorways of shelters, further restricting activity.
After disasters, more elderly people complain about pain in their back or knees, however they are often unable to receive medical treatment or rehabilitative therapy. These factors decrease their ability to remain active and as a result, there is an increased risk of their becoming bedridden. To support the elderly, it is important to maintain their ADL/IADL and prevent them becoming bedridden which will affect their subsequent quality of life.
Factors decreasing activity of elderly following disaster
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Decreased physical activity as an evacuee |
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Loss of canes or other walking aids at the time of disaster |
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Mental shock and a sense of helplessness because of their inability to restore activity |
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Feeling hesitant or restraining themselves out of consideration for people around them
(comparisons with war in the past, and feelings that such situations should be endured. |
Assessment
| 1. |
State of ADL and IADL, especially transfer/mobility, and any difficult situations encountered during a day |
| 2. |
Disorders, symptoms, and functions of the bones, muscles or joints |
| 3. |
Fractures or bruises caused by the disaster |
| 4. |
Environment of the shelter |
Coping methods
| 1. |
1. Improve the environment of the shelters
| 1. |
Improve the environment to allow movement with consideration for the risk of falls |
| 2. |
Identify elderly in need of support and secure special evacuation places for them |
| 3. |
Make contacts with medical, long-term care and welfare institutions, the administrative bodies or volunteer groups, and transfer elderly to appropriate institutions if necessary |
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| 3. |
Use appropriate self-help devices/aids
| 1. |
Check whether self-help devices/aids were used prior to the disaster |
| 2. |
Acquire and distribute self-help devices/aids where necessary |
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| 4. |
Prevent a decrease in physical activity
| 1. |
Encourage activity (including cooperation with neighboring evacuees. |
| 2. |
Incorporate rehabilitative activity into daily life |
| 3. |
Explain the benefits of activities such as walking/ exercise on health, and promote them |
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| 5. |
Prevent a decrease in mental activity
| 1. |
Encourage daily verbal communication |
| 2. |
Be attentive and listen and accept their feelings |
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| 6. |
Request a consultation with physicians and rehabilitation staff
| 1. |
Request rehabilitative assessment |
| 2. |
Carry out health counseling and rehabilitation making regular visits to elderly evacuees |
| 3. |
Verify rehabilitation that can be performed in the evacuation environment and ensure its continuation |
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Decreased mobility
