Older Adults: Coping and Recovery from a Natural Disaster

Natural disasters are devastating, especially if you or people you care about are directly affected. For those who lose a home or possessions or for those troubled by lingering memories of the disaster, it is common to experience disbelief, grief, guilt, anxiety, depression, fear, withdrawal, and trouble sleeping or eating. Older adults may experience behavioral or emotional changes because of an interruption with medication and even routine. Older adults may be at greater risk for confusion and fear. It is important for those caring for an older adult to watch for things like confusion, infection, injury, and dehydration. You may notice post-traumatic stress such as nightmares or adverse reactions to noise and darkness.

Everyone copes with trauma differently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has named the following warning signs for older adults who may need more help with their stress and coping: 

  • trouble communicating
  • problems with sleeping
  • substance use (drugs or excessive alcohol)
  • reduced attention span
  • headaches and stomach pains
  • disorientation or confusion
  • unwillingness or reluctance to leave home
  • overwhelming guilt or self-doubt
  • fear of crowds, strangers, or being alone

To help cope with the stress and aftermath of a natural disaster, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends for older adults to: 

  • Talk about their feelings
  • Ask for help
  • Don’t hold themselves responsible or blaming themselves for the disaster 
  • Avoid feelings of frustration, burden, or guilt because they were unable to help with rescue efforts
  • Promote physical and emotional healing by staying active in daily life routines or adjusting them to find a new normal 
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle focus (nutrition, physical activity, rest, relaxation, and meditation)
  • Connect with people, especially those who are meaningful
  • Participate in the community in ways that promote feelings of comfort, productivity, purpose, or meaning
  • Reach out to family, friends, community members, and formal support groups
  • Establish an emergency plan or revisit existing plans
  • Do something vs. nothing when possible

Resource: For more information on how to help support older adults after a disaster go to SAMHSA’s online guide: Helping Older Adults After Disasters: A Guide to Providing Support. https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/pep19-01-01-001_0.pdf

Reference:

CDC. (nd). Disaster planning tips for older adults and their families. Retrieved https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/disaster_planning_tips.pdf#:~:text=To%20keep%20planning%20from%20seeming%20overwhelming%2C%20experts%20recommend,to%20seal%20out%20toxins%20from%20a%20chemical%20attack.

Source: Amy F. Kostelic, associate Extension professor for adult development and aging

Social media post: Older adults may have a harder time coping with a disaster. Disruptions to medications or routines might affect older adults more, so we have suggestions for dealing with the aftermath of a disaster.