著者

Tara HEAGELE Dula PACQUIAO

出版者

Disaster Nursing Global Leader Degree Program

雑誌

Health Emergency and Disaster Nursing (ISSN:21882053)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.6, no.1, pp.50-61, 2019-03-31 (Released:2019-03-31)

参考文献数

81

被引用文献数

1 10

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Aim: To synthesize relevant literature specific to disaster vulnerability of elderly and medically frail individuals in the USA and investigate the role of the public health nurse in mitigating the problem.Methods: Focused review of the literature, including peer-reviewed research, journal articles, news articles, education materials and reports from governmental and senior advocacy groups.Results: Disaster vulnerability of the elderly and the medically frail is related to sociodemographic factors such as advanced age, low socioeconomic status, female gender, low education and language barriers. The presence of chronic illnesses, deficits in mobility, cognitive, and sensory capacity, reliance on others and devices, lack of social support, and previous experience with disaster also contribute to their vulnerability.Conclusions: The elderly and the medically frail are highly vulnerable to the negative consequences of disaster. Implications for public health nursing practice before, during and after disaster, as well as nursing research, are highlighted.