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Symposium

Interdisciplinary

A Discussion on the State of Affairs on Direct Action to Support Older Adults During Disasters

Thursday, November 9, 2023
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET
Location: Room 107

    Chair(s)

  • Leah Haverhals, PhD, MA (she/her/hers)

    Health Research Scientist
    Research
    Department of Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center
    Denver, Colorado, United States

    Slides

    • Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

  • Lisa Brown, PhD, ABPP (she/her/hers)

    Professor, Director of the Trauma Program
    Clinical Psychology
    Palo Alto University
    Palo Alto, California, United States

    Slides

  • Lindsay Peterson, PhD

    Research Assistant Professor, Director of Long-term Care Internships Administration and Aging Sciences Internship Program and Interim Director of the Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging
    School of Aging Studies
    University of South Florida
    Tampa, Florida, United States

    Slides

  • Tamar Wyte-Lake, DPT, MPH (she/her/hers)

    Associate Director of Clinical Research
    Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC)
    U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
    North Hills, California, United States

    Slides
  • KP

    Karl Pillemer, PhD

    Professor
    Human Development
    Cornell University
    Ithaca, New York, United States

    Slides

As the frequency and severity of disasters increases, supporting older adults before, during, and after disasters is paramount. Steps toward adequate disaster preparedness include ensuring older adults possess awareness of increased disaster and hazard events and understand their role in preparedness. This symposium will address the current state of affairs in the United States (US) on direct actions to support older adults before, during, and following major disasters. Additionally it will provide context on how continuing effects of climate change impact these efforts. Dr. Lisa Brown will share perspectives and describe efforts of the US National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters. Dr. Sue Anne Bell will discuss the role of implementation science in improving the emergency preparedness in nursing homes. Dr. Lindsay Peterson will describe existing state policies around home and community-based service providers. Dr. Tamar Wyte-Lake will share directions the Department of Veterans Affairs is moving in to best support vulnerable populations, focusing on older Veterans. Dr. Karl Pillemer will address the role of older adults as active agents in climate change prevention and mediation. Dr. David Dosa will act as discussant. These presenters will provide important insights into ongoing efforts while highlighting areas in need of improvement and aligned action, with the hopes that this will generate important discussions well into the future.

This is a Disasters and Older Adults Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

Learning Objectives:

  • After attending this session, participants will be able to list multiple efforts in motion across the United States to best support older adults before, during, and after disasters.
  • After attending this session, participants will be able to better describe why it matters that older adults are aware of and understand how climate change plays a role in preparing for disasters
  • After attending this session, participants will be able to compare and contrast various efforts of disaster preparedness and response in older adult populations across the U.S.

Presentations:

  • 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET
    NACSD Recommendations for Older Adult Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Lisa M. Brown, PhD, ABPP (she/her/hers) – Palo Alto University

  • 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET
    Improving Nursing Home Disaster Readiness Through Implementation Science
  • 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET
    Disaster Preparedness of Community-Dwelling Older Adults

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Lindsay J. Peterson, PhD – University of South Florida

  • 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET
    VA’s Experience in Building Capability to Conduct Outreach to Vulnerable Patients During Emergencies

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Tamar Wyte-Lake, DPT, MPH (she/her/hers) – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

  • 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET
    Expanding the Engagement of Older Persons in Climate Change Action

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Karl Pillemer, PhD – Cornell University