A disaster is something that happens suddenly and causes much suffering or loss to many people. The ability of a disaster victim to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster depends on a variety of factors that often are beyond the person’s immediate control. The severity and longevity of the event, the efficiency of the warning systems, the victim’s health status, and the individual’s access to resources are a few of the factors influencing an individual’s response and recovery ability. Also, victims who are house bound, socially isolated, or who have impaired mobility may be compromised in their ability to respond to and recover from disaster. There are many types of disasters including natural, terroristic, technological & accidental hazards. Types of natural disasters are: earthquakes, droughts, extreme heat, floods, hurricanes, landslides, sever weather, space weather, thunderstorms & lightning, tornados, tsunamis, volcanoes, wild fires, winter storms & extreme colds. Man-made disasters are biological threats, chemicals threats, cyber threats, explosions, nuclear blasts, and radioactive hazards, civil unrest, explosions, and wars. Types of technological and accidental hazards are blackouts, hazardous material, household chemicals, and nuclear power plants (Fema.gov). The Administration on Aging predicts that the number of Americans over the age of 65 will double from the years 2000 to 2030. That prediction is particularly concerning when married with the
Data from the Census Bureau tell us that in 2015, there are around 47.8 million Americans age 65 and older, up from about 25.5 million just 35 years ago; demographers predict that in another 35 years, there will be nearly 88 million Americans in this age group. The rate of growth of the “oldest old” population—those age 85 and older—is even more dramatic: Their numbers currently stand at approximately 6.3 million, but by 2050, that number will have almost tripled, to 18.7 million Americans. This population explosion is unprecedented in history, and the resulting demographic shift is causing profound social and economic changes.
Aging Americans, like other age groups, are feeling the effects of the declining real estate and stock markets, as well as soaring fuel and food prices. Seniors’ economic security will only increase in importance as the U.S. population ages. The nation’s health and social services resources will face unprecedented demand as 75 million people in the baby boomer generation reach retirement age—some with eroded savings and retirement accounts. Aging people of color are more likely than white
Any time that the federal agency that responds to disaster events handles such situations there is likely to be a significant loss of life due to the disaster event. This makes a requirement that responders know how to deal with the psychological issues and challenges that are present. It is reported that mental and behavioral health, "in the context of disasters and emergencies, include a wide range of interrelated factors psychological (emotional, cognitive, behavioral), psychological and social that influence people's ability to cope with and recover from extreme situations." (Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee of the National Biodefense Science Board, 2010, p.4) Stated as examples of such issues are those of "fear and anxiety resulting from safety concerns, the death of loved ones, separation from family members and uncertainty as to their fate, and loss of homes and possessions; noncompliance with government directives resulting from loss of confidence in authorities; breakdown in community social
Disasters are human made or natural and occur sudden and unexpected. As disasters cannot be prevented, government has to be prepared for any emergency situation. According to Stanhope and Lancaster (2014), there are four stages in the disaster management: Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. According to Stanhope and Lancaster (2014, p 250), public health professionals study disaster effects on populations while American Red Cross work with local and other communities in preparedness, response and recovery phase of disaster.
Just like other parts of the world, the United States is no exceptional, it is an aging society. Between the year 2000 and the year 2050, the number of the elderly is predicted to increase by 135%. Again, the population of the persons aged 85 years and above, which is the group that will mostly require health and long-term services, is predicted to
Disasters, whether natural or manmade, can happen anytime and anywhere, without warning. An earthquake, hurricane, tornado, fire, or hazardous material spill or even an act of terrorism can happen
According to the Census Bureau, the number of Americans over 65 is anticipated to double to 78 million. The demographic leap has caused a variety of predictions from unbearable strains on entitlement programs, and the federal budget, to a decline in the stock and
“While we have 35 million people aged 65 and older in the United States, the baby boomers will solidify the aging revolution in America. As this group continues to swell the ranks of elderly population, increasing numbers of older adults are
As the public health, nutrition and medicine in health care continues to positively advance, the United States will encounter an increase in overall life expectancy of the population. A rapid demographic shift will continue to move toward people known as “baby boomers” who will aid in the continuous increase in senior citizens. The number of adults specifically over the age of sixty five years have an expected growth from forty million in the year 2010 to a substantial increase of eighty four million by the year 2050 (Aging, 2014). Knowing the predictions of the massive amount of elderly in the population, the social and economic aspects in society will dramatically change. The rate of chronic conditions among the senior citizens in 2008
The population in the United States has more than tripled in the last century from 76 million in 1900 to 281 million in 2000 (Hobbs & Stoops, 2002). This can be contributed to several trends in population demographics. The most obvious reason is that there are more births than deaths in the U.S (Williams & Torrens, 2008). Also, the average American is getting older due to increased longevity. In simple terms, people are living longer. One reason is medical advances have increased in recent years coupled with the fact that Americans are taking their health more serious. The population of age 65 and older has increase from 3.1 million in 1900 to 35 million in 2000, with the 85 and older population increasing from 122,000 to 4.2 million (Hobbs
According to the text, disasters are more than common emergencies such as those of traffic accidents, personal injuries, or house fires general in communities (Disaster Recovery; 19). Other events can result in a disaster requiring this Disaster Recovery Plan to be activated:
Throughout history there have been various definitions present on what a disaster is and the effects that it contains in relation to the environment and residents within the area. Society often has specific dominant worldviews in regards to disasters, which can pertain to or focus around disasters being seen as a “hazard”, “unlucky”, or an “unavoidable “ event (Scandlyn et al, 2009). Generally, many individuals tend to reflect on definitions in relation to conventional theories because the media often prioritizes disasters as being catastrophic or an end of the world phenomenon. What these individuals fail to understand is the importance of recognizing that we cannot only view disasters in this way, however we must also understand how
Natural Disaster can occur at any place and any giving time without much of a warning. With a Natural Disaster taking place the best way to be ready for a Natural Disaster is to know about them and how they occur. In “Natural Disaster Facts” it says, “A natural disaster is the consequence of the combination of a natural hazard (physical event like a volcanic eruption, typhoon, tropical cyclone, tornadoes and earthquakes, a landslide or a tsunami) and human activities”. Many of these Natural Disasters cannot be predicted but knowing the environment can help us with whatever Mother Nature throws our way.
Mallory: “okay, those are some natural disasters. I want to do this group because recently hurricanes have occurred. And it’s important to know how to be prepare in case of emergency. What is the definition of natural disaster? Well, natural disaster is any catastrophic event that is caused by or the natural process of the earth. Can anyone tell me why natural disasters occurs?
Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and cyclones, floods, and tornadoes are some of the traumatic experiences that may cause posttraumatic stress disorders. This type of disorders and other disaster related psychological problems are prevalent after natural disasters. As a result it is important to analyse those individuals that develop psychological problems especially to prepare and plan interventions both in the short and long term after disaster (Coşkun, Coşkun, 2000, p: 68). Earthquakes have quickly become one of the most highlighted natural disasters. Unlike other natural disasters, earthquakes occur without warning, the