Involving the elderly in disaster preparedness training can be an important contribution to socially-inclusive procedures

Regarding active elderly people, a large number of practitioners felt that involving physically active senior citizens in disaster preparedness training would offer such senior citizens the opportunity to take up social responsibility and play (again) an important role in their community. Encouraging them, e.g. through senior citizens organisations, to get training and become volunteers, was considered as an important contribution to socially inclusive procedures.

Cultural Factors: Social exclusion, Age-related roles

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Preparedness, Response, Recovery

Types of Actors Concerned: National civil protection body, Local authorities, Government, NGOs, Red Cross, Healthcare and emergency services

Recommendations:

• Foster the adoption of a culture of disaster prevention and resilience by informing and motivating citizens to take action