Elderly must rely on others

Researchers will look at how older adults, caregivers plan for disasters

Planning for disasters is difficult, but preparing can be especially hard for older adults who rely on others.

To learn more about those challenges, researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology's AgeLab will visit Charleston July 30-31.

Researchers are planning focus groups with people who care for older adults who have mobility limitations or cognitive impairments, such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

The study will expand on research that MIT's AgeLab conducted last year to learn about how older adults plan for natural disasters.

Many older adults were aware of what natural disasters they were likely to face. In fact, a number of those interviewed sustained significant losses in the past.

Yet, most adults age 51 or older implicitly relied on family and friends to take care of them without making those expectations clear, researchers found.

"It can really help if you can make those connections more concrete," said researcher Lisa D'Ambrosio.

Responsibility also rests on community leaders and stakeholders to identify those most at-risk, said Mary Helen Yarborough, author of "Disaster Planning Guide for Medical Facilities."

Yarborough's manual is a generalized version of the hurricane plan she revised for the Medical University of South Carolina, where she works in public relations.

"Not all of these people are known to any system, so families and neighborhood support and assistance are imperative," Yarborough said.

"Not aiding these people appropriately and sufficiently could expose employers and facilities to various legal implications."

To learn more

To help older adults plan for natural disasters, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's AgeLab, with collaboration of The Hartford Financial Services Group, published a booklet on the Web at thehartford.com/talkaboutdisasterplanning.

To participate

Caregivers of people with mobility or cognitive impairments, especially spouses, may call 1-888-663-9201 for details about focus group sessions July 30-31 in Charleston.

The one-time discussions will last two hours. Participants will receive financial compensation, and additional resources are available for caregivers who require respite care.