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Prolonged life in temporary housing causes many health problems including worsening of chronic diseases and development of new diseases.
Self-management of health can cause problems in the elderly who may: demonstrate a lack of concern about their own health; fail to get medical check-ups for a long period of time after the disaster; and fail to administer medication correctly.
Therefore the health of each elderly resident should be regularly evaluated, and support for the prevention of aggravation of conditions should be provided for both elderly residents with health problems and those without apparent health concerns.
Coping methods
| 1. |
Identify elderly residents with health problems
Find the elderly residents in need of support, those with health problems and those who may have health problems in the future by surveying all residents of temporary housing |
| 2. |
Home-visits by health consultants
| 1. |
Set up individual home-visits to elderly residents by public healthcare nurses and nursing volunteers
* The same members should visit each area regularly whenever possible |
| 2. |
Share health information using self-management sheets on health, and
stress the importance of self-care in elderly residents |
| 3. |
Consult on not only health problems but also life problems |
| 4. |
Provide information on elderly residents with health problems to administrative bodies, medical institutions, welfare facilities and volunteer groups, and request these institutions cooperate with the care of residents |
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| 3. |
Plan and implement health consultation meetings
| 1. |
Post notices on walls and distribute fliers |
| 2. |
Provide information for health management through health consultations and medication consultations |
| 3. |
Provide health guidance including information on exercise, nutritional
guidance and cooking classes |
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| 4. |
Set up a system allowing continuous monitoring of elderly residents
| 1. |
Promote home-visits by volunteers |
| 2. |
Inform volunteers about points to observe during home-visits to enable the early discovery of problems |
| 3. |
Construct a system so that when there is something wrong with elderly residents, information can be easily passed on to health specialists, such as nursing volunteers |
Examples of observation points during home-visits:
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Time taken until elderly residents answer the door |
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Vitality, strength of voice |
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State of the house, i.e. is it tidy |
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State of the kitchen and tableware, i.e. is it being used |
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| 5. |
Evaluate medical needs and provide continuous medical care
| 1. |
Confirm whether the elderly resident is having regular medical check ups and if not request them |
| 2. |
Provide information about nearby medical facilities |
| 3. |
Provide support for residents visiting medical facilities, where necessary
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Arrange for volunteers to drive and a means of transportation for elderly residents who hope to visit medical institutions situated a long distance away |
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| 4. |
After medical check ups follow up on medication provided |
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Problems associated with health management
