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Japanese Tsunami underscores need for Elder
Disaster Preparedness
March 25,
2011--The oldest segment of Japan’s
population will likely be the hardest hit as
a result of the recent earthquake and
subsequent tsunami, based on data from
previous catastrophic events. Approximately
23 percent of Japanese citizens currently
are age 65 and above.
“Japan’s population — with the highest
proportion of older people in any country —
gives us an indicator of where the world as
a whole is headed,” said James Appleby, RPh,
MPH, executive director of The
Gerontological Society of America.
“The significance
of this demographic shift and the severity
of the tsunami’s effects are highlighted by
the numerous reports showing that seniors
suffer disproportionately during natural
disasters.”
For example, the May 12, 2008, earthquake in
Wenchuan, China, was associated with a
twofold increase in the one-year mortality
among a group of nonagenarians that lived
nearby, according to a study published in
March 2011 issue of The
Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological
and Medical Sciences.
Similarly, the spring 2006 edition of Public
Policy & Aging Report reported
that three quarters of those who perished in
Hurricane Katrina were over the age of 60.
“Our thoughts are
with the people of Japan as this time. Many
people have limited access to food and
water, and there is concern that lifesaving
medicines could soon be in short supply. A
number of the tragic news stories we see
call attention to the needs of older people
and other at-risk populations,” Appleby
said.
There also is a growing field of literature
that outlines necessary steps for elder
disaster preparedness in the face of an
emergency. The Public
Policy & Aging Report demonstrated
that geographic information systems are able
to map patterns of vulnerability in advance,
allowing policymakers and first-responders
to intervene both effectively and
efficiently when disaster strikes.
Additionally, multi-tiered evacuation plans,
pre-existing social networks, and “go-kits”
can be used to assist elders at critical
moments. These kits may include detailed
contact information for family members;
contact information for relevant health care
providers; high-nutrient foods; and a week’s
supply of all prescription and
over-the-counter medications, including a
list of medications, the required dosage,
and times of administration.
###
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA)
is the nation's oldest and largest
interdisciplinary organization devoted to
research, education, and practice in the
field of aging. The principal mission of the
Society — and its 5,200+ members — is to
advance the study of aging and disseminate
information among scientists, decision
makers, and the general public. GSA’s
structure also includes a policy institute,
the National
Academy on an Aging Society, and
an educational branch, the Association
for Gerontology in Higher Education.
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