Disaster preparedness among vulnerable older adults with chronic diseases: Results from a cross-sectional study in Incheon, Korea

Abstract

About 80% of older adults have at least one chronic condition that makes them more vulnerable than healthy people during a disaster. This study examined the association of general health status and chronic disease status, respectively, with disaster preparedness among vulnerable older adults with chronic diseases. The 165 participants (100 females, 65 male) comprising the study population were taking a health course for chronic disease management at a public health center in Incheon, Korea from March to April 2012. A relatively small percentage of households had a complete set of disaster preparedness supplies, an emergency evacuation plan, and a three-day supply of medications. Respondents with multiple chronic diseases were generally more likely to have a three-day supply of medications in comparison with their healthier counterparts. To improve preparedness among vulnerable older adults, a "bottom up" assessment of directly canvassing the views of older people is necessary and should be transferred into practical conditions of disaster preparedness.