Senior citizens and natural disasters: a growing public health concern

The destruction left behind by Hurricane Melissa remains vivid in the national consciousness. Images of flooded homes, impassable roads, and shattered livelihoods dominated news coverage, but among the most troubling accounts were those involving older adults.

In parishes such as St. Elizabeth, Hanover, and Westmoreland, reports chronicled seniors who were stranded, others who refused or were unable to evacuate, and many who were left isolated in the days that followed.

Perhaps most haunting was the quiet tragedy of three elderly siblings in St. Elizabeth, who died within days of each other after the hurricane, an event that served as a stark reminder that disasters do not affect all Jamaicans equally.

Now, in January, as Jamaica observes Earthquake Awareness Month, the moment is ripe for reflection. Before long, June will signal the start of another Atlantic hurricane season, with climate forecasts continuing to warn that extreme weather events will become more frequent and more intense.

The lesson is clear: disaster preparedness, particularly where older adults are concerned, is never untimely.

Older adults face heightened risks during disasters largely because of declining functional ability. Ageing is often accompanied by reduced mobility, visual and hearing impairments, chronic illnesses, and dependence on medications or medical devices. These factors can complicate evacuation, delay emergency response, and significantly increase the risk of injury or death.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has repeatedly warned that older adults are disproportionately affected during emergencies, noting that disaster-related mortality and injury rates increase significantly with age.

“Older persons often face barriers that limit their ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters,” PAHO has noted, pointing to mobility challenges, social isolation, and limited access to health and social services as key risk factors.

In the Caribbean, these vulnerabilities are magnified by rapid population ageing, persistent poverty, and uneven access to healthcare and social support systems.

Jamaica is not immune to these trends. According to national demographic data, approximately one in five Jamaicans is now aged 60 years or older, a proportion that continues to grow as life expectancy increases and birth rates decline. This demographic shift signals Jamaica’s transition toward an ageing society, yet disaster preparedness frameworks have not always kept pace.

The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa exposed critical gaps in how the country prepares for and responds to the needs of older adults. Media reports described seniors who remained in unsafe homes because they feared looting, did not want to leave familiar surroundings, or had no one to assist them. Others, particularly in rural communities, were cut off for days due to damaged roads and disrupted communication.

Some older persons lost everything, furniture, personal effects, and essential medications, while attempting to shelter in place. For those living alone or in remote areas, assistance often arrived late or not at all.

These experiences underscore a harsh reality: disaster preparedness for seniors must go far beyond the oft-repeated advice to “ensure you have an adequate supply of medication.”

As Jamaica’s population ages, protecting older adults during disasters must be approached as a shared national responsibility. Many seniors live alone, in deteriorating housing, or with disabilities and mobility challenges. Others are caregivers themselves, responsible for young grandchildren or other dependents. Some choose to shelter in place rather than evacuate.

The critical question then becomes; who checks on them before disaster strikes, and who follows up after the all-clear is given?

Golden Designs, an organisation that works closely with older adults and caregivers, argues that disaster risk reduction must be inclusive of seniors at every stage, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

“We cannot continue to treat older adults as an afterthought in disaster planning. Proactive, inclusive strategies save lives and reduce long-term suffering,” the organisation notes.

One of the most effective ways to reduce disaster risk is community mobilisation. Neighbours, churches, citizens’ associations, and service clubs are often best positioned to identify who is most vulnerable. Maintaining a confidential registry of older adults who are ageing in place, living alone, or shut-ins can make a life-saving difference when emergencies arise.

Communication is equally vital. Disaster warnings and preparedness information must be disseminated through age-appropriate and accessible channels, including radio, television, churches, clinics, and printed materials in clear, simple language.

Crucially, older adults themselves should not be sidelined. Including them on local disaster committees and preparedness groups recognises their lived experience and ensures that planning reflects real needs on the ground.

Training disaster management workers and volunteers in ageing and disability awareness is another essential step toward inclusive preparedness.

To reduce the severe impact of disasters on older adults, the following actions should be prioritised at the household and community level:

• Identify where seniors live, particularly those who live alone, in remote areas, or in unsafe housing.

• Establish community check-in systems so designated persons know who to contact before and after disasters.

• Share disaster information through trusted, age-appropriate channels such as churches, clinics, and traditional and digital media.

• Encourage preparedness plans that go beyond medication, including evacuation assistance, emergency contacts, and mobility aids.

• Include older adults in disaster planning and mitigation efforts at community and parish levels.

• Train disaster responders and volunteers to recognise and address the specific needs of seniors.

Disasters may be inevitable. Disproportionate suffering is not.

As Jamaica braces for future shocks, whether hurricanes, earthquakes, or other emergencies, the true measure of national resilience will be reflected in how well the country protects its most vulnerable citizens. Planning for older adults before disaster strikes is not merely good policy; it is a moral imperative.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com

SOURCE: Pan American Health Organization (PAHO); Golden Designs