Citation

Sakauye KM, Streim JE, Kennedy GJ, Kirwin PD, Llorente MD, Schultz SK, Srinivasan S. Am. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry 2009; 17(11): 916-924.

Affiliation

From the School of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, TN (KMS); Geriatric Psychiatry Section, University of Pennsylvania, PA (JES); Division of Psychiatry, Montefiore Medical Center, NY (GJK); Yale University School of Medicine, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, CT (PDK); University of Miami, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL (MDL); University of Iowa College of Medicine, IA (SKS); and University of South Carolina School of Medicine (SS), SC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1097/JGP.0b013e3181b4bf20

PMID

20104050

Abstract

The Disaster Preparedness Task Force of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry was formed after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans to identify and address needs of the elderly after the disaster that led to excess health disability and markedly increased rates of hopelessness, suicidality, serious mental illness (reported to exceed 60% from baseline levels), and cognitive impairment. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) outlines risk groups which fail to address later effects from chronic stress and loss and disruption of social support networks. Range of interventions recommended for Preparation, Early Response, and Late Response reviewed in the report were not applied to elderly for a variety of reasons. It was evident that addressing the needs of elderly will not be made without a stronger mandate to do so from major governmental agencies (Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA. and SAMHSA). The recommendation to designate frail elderly and dementia patients as a particularly high-risk group and a list of specific recommendations for research and service and clinical reference list are provided.

Language: en