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Elderly victims of disaster who have lost their homes, family/relatives and friends are often given priority for transfer to temporary housing because of health management issues.However, elderly evacuees often have problems adapting to new housing environments, which may bear little resemblance to their former homes and which may be far away from relatives, and there are risks of a suicide or solitary death. Elderly residents who are housebound, going out only to go shopping or visit hospitals etc, and who are reluctant to communicate with others, are most at risk.
To determine the risks, it is important to evaluate the living conditions of elderly residents, including participation in community activities, and determine whether there is sufficient social support.
Assessment
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Observe and evaluate elderly residents (elderly couples, single elderly residents, particularly single elderly males) on a regular basis, noting their physical and mental states ADL, IADL |
| 2. |
Evaluate the frequency of communication with relatives, friends and neighbors |
Coping methods
| 1. |
Elderly residents should receive continuous regular visits, e.g. from health care practitioners and volunteers |
| 2. |
Contact should be made with administrative bodies, welfare institutions and long-term care institutions where necessary, and any necessary changes made |
| 3. |
Events should be planned that allow the participation of all residents of temporary housing (such as exercise sessions, lunch/dinner parties, tea parties, board game (igo, syogi) parties and seasonal events) for fostering closer relationships among residents |
| 4. |
Elderly residents of temporary housing should be given roles (such as caring for flowers/plants and inclusion in garbage rotas) to ensure their participation in house activities |
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"House Bound" and "Solitary death"
