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ID: 11207
Title:Recommendations for Best Practices in the Management of Elderly Disaster Victims.
Publication Year: 2009
Format(s): Report , Online Resource
Language(s): English
Audience(s): Planners , Health Professionals , Health Facilities Administrators , Government Agencies , Physicians , Geriatricians , Social Workers
Corporate Name: Baylor College of Medicine
Source: Houston, TX: Baylor College of Medicine. 2008 (last modified May 7, 2009). 40 p.

Abstract: This report uses the Hurricane Katrina experience to provide guidance on better management of elderly victims in a disaster, especially frail elders and those with physical or cognitive impairments. Following an introduction with background on Hurricane Katrina, the authors outline the proposed uses of the report, explains the reason for focusing on frail elders and vulnerable adults, provides data on the mortality associated with evacuation of elders, and briefly reviews the literature on elderly disaster victims. Then, they describe the Houston experience, the development of the Seniors without Families Triage (SWiFT) instrument, and data from the Harris County District Medical Clinic. The next section presents the lessons learned in the following areas: locating and tracking elderly family members, shelter adequacy, the need for geriatricians, social needs, the involvement of gerontologists, communication difficulties, cooperation with local agencies, safety issues, and long-term needs. The report ends with a set of recommendations for best practices based on the observations and experience of the SWiFT members and AMA consultants.

Availability: Available from Baylor College of Medicine. One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030. (713) 798-4951. Website: www.bcm.edu. PRICE: free online access.
Major Descriptor(s): EMERGENCIES , CRISIS-INTERVENTION , DISASTER-PLANNING , AGED , CASE-MANAGEMENT , CONTINUITY-OF-CARE , HEALTH-SERVICES , ACCESS-TO-CARE , DELIVERY-OF-HEALTH-CARE , SOCIAL-SERVICES , PATIENT-NEEDS , PATIENT-SUPPORT , SAFETY , CARE-PLAN , CARE-TEAM
Minor Descriptor(s): FAMILY-SUPPORT-SERVICES
Link(s): http://www.bcm.edu/pdf/bestpractices.pdf

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