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Predictors of Emergency Preparedness Among Older Adults in the United States

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2020

Sue Anne Bell ,
Dianne Singer ,
Erica Solway ,
Mattias Kirch ,
Jeffrey Kullgren  and
Preeti Malani
Sue Anne Bell*
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann ArborMichigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann ArborMichigan
Dianne Singer
Affiliation:
Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann ArborMichigan
Erica Solway
Affiliation:
Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann ArborMichigan
Mattias Kirch
Affiliation:
Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann ArborMichigan
Jeffrey Kullgren
Affiliation:
Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann ArborMichigan Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann ArborMichigan Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann ArborMichigan Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann ArborMichigan
Preeti Malani
Affiliation:
Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann ArborMichigan Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann ArborMichigan
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Sue Anne Bell, 400 North Ingalls, Ann Arbor, MI48109 (e-mail: sabell@umich.edu).
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Abstract

Objectives:

Emergency preparedness becomes more important with increased age, as older adults are at heightened risk for harm from disasters. In this study, predictors of preparedness actions and confidence in preparedness among older adults in the United States were assessed.

Methods:

This nationally representative survey polled community-dwelling older adults ages 50-80 y (n = 2256) about emergency preparedness and confidence in addressing different types of emergencies. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of reported emergency preparedness actions and confidence in addressing emergencies.

Results:

Participants’ mean age was 62.4 y (SD = 8); 52% were female, and 71% were non-Hispanic white. Living alone was associated with lower odds of having a 7-d supply of food and water (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56-0.96), a stocked emergency kit (aOR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.47-0.86), and having had conversations with family or friends about evacuation plans (aOR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.44-0.78). Use of equipment requiring electricity was associated with less confidence in addressing a power outage lasting more than 24 h (aOR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47-0.94), as was use of mobility aids (OR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.45-0.93).

Conclusions:

These results point to the need for tailored interventions to support emergency preparedness for older adults, particularly among those who live alone and use medical equipment requiring electricity.

Keywords

disaster planningemergency preparednessempowerment of older personsolder adultssocial isolation
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 15 , Issue 5 , October 2021 , pp. 624 - 630
Copyright
© 2020 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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