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theses

Rationale for Study: As more chronically ill people are living in the community and disasters are occurring frequently, the elderly and the medically frail vulnerable populations are experiencing significantly more disaster-related morbidity and mortality than the rest of the population. A failure to adequately address these vulnerabilities has been shown to have negative effects on both the response to the disaster and the community as a whole. The purpose of this research was to understand how older and/or medically frail adults have experienced disaster and how this experience impacts what they do now to prepare for disaster. A second purpose of the study was the generation of theory regarding the process through which community members prepare for disasters. Method: This study employed a qualitative descriptive methodology, Situational Analysis, to explore the social processes of disaster preparedness in older and/or medically frail adults. Results: Thirty-three elderly and/or medically frail participants described their experiences with disaster, how those experiences impacted the way they prepared for subsequent disasters, and their current state of household emergency preparedness. The core category was “Experience is the Best Teacher.” Based on the findings, it was theorized that coastal urban elderly and medically frail community members are generally considered unprepared for disaster. Their lack of preparedness is due in large part to a lack of education on how best to prepare. Once educated, motivation for self-responsibility of household emergency preparedness can be expected. However, community interventions like distributing disaster supply kits and offering evacuation assistance help overcome their situational impediments to preparedness and provide the best chance for these vulnerable community members to survive disasters without becoming ill or injured or experiencing a decline in their baseline functional status. If elderly and medically frail community members are incidentally prepared, it is largely due to their past experience with disaster or their professional experience. Conclusion: The results from this study could inform emergency plans and policy efforts to better meet the needs of elderly and medically frail community members during disaster. This study should motivate nurses to prepare themselves and their vulnerable community members prior to disaster as a prevention measure.

ETD_8552

Ph.D.

Includes bibliographical references

by Tara N. Heagele

doi:10.7282/T3TB1B3V

ETD doctoral

The author owns the copyright to this work.