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For elderly people, transferring from a shelter to temporary housing and prolonged evacuation may induce stress-associated symptoms such as insomnia, shoulder stiffness, malaise and headache, and aggravate chronic diseases.In addition, elderly residents tend to lose hope for a new life, feeling left behind by others or finding no purpose or no pleasure in daily life.
Some time after the disaster, and following relocation to a new home, some elderly residents develop prodromal symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or PTSD itself, stating such things as "I cannot remember the time of the disaster" or "I want to have as few contacts as possible with others". Adequate observation of these symptoms and nursing support are important during life in the shelter when the future is unclear.
Assessment of psychological stress and loss of hope
| 1. |
Mental condition (anxiety/fret, irritation, anger, depressive tendency. |
| 2. |
Sleep state (insomnia, depth of sleep, difficulty in falling asleep and waking after sleep onset. |
| 3. |
Physical symptoms (increase in blood pressure, increase in glucose, digestive symptoms, shoulder stiffness, malaise and headache. |
| 4. |
Living state (environment in the temporary housing and personal relationships with surrounding people. |
Coping methods for psychological stress and loss of hope
| 1. |
Carry out the above assessment at regular health consultations including
during rounds, and evaluate mental condition, sleep state and physical
symptoms |
| 2. |
Listen to elderly residents carefully allowing as much time as they need, in a place they feel relaxed, and paying close attention |
| 3. |
Make arrangements for visits to or by mental health specialists to elderly residents with psychosomatic problems |
| 4. |
Where there are sleep disorders, evaluate and eliminate factors affecting sleep, introduce sound sleep measures (such as earplugs) and make arrangements for visits to medical institutions |
Assessment of developing PTSD and its prodromal symptoms
* In addition to the above assessment (for psychological stress and loss of hope), the following assessment should be performed.
| 1. |
Assess for PTSD and its prodromal symptoms (such as continuous crying when remembering the time of the disaster, being unable to remember the time of the disaster and reluctance to have contact with others. |
| 2. |
Perform regular health consultations by making rounds of temporary housing, and evaluate the general physical and mental conditions of elderly residents |
| 3. |
Evaluate stress associated with personal relationships and exchange with others in temporary housing |
Coping methods for developing PTSD and its prodromal symptoms
| 1. |
When there are symptoms of PTSD make arrangements for visits to or by psychiatrists or mental care specialists (such as clinical psychologists, mental health nurses and counselors. |
| 2. |
Communicate as much as possible, and establish mutual trust |
| 3. |
Perform regular mental health consultations and recommend regular counseling, where necessary |
| 4. |
Plan group recreations such as lunch/dinner parties and tea parties |
| 5. |
Ensure that nurses who perform rounds of temporary housing are continuously involved in the same cases whenever possible |
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Mental health
