Global climate change, natural disasters and the need for preparedness plans for older adults

The fires that began at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7 in Los Angeles brought a profound focus on the impacts of global climate change on our living spaces. Changes in our environments brought about by global warming and other trends can foster devastating disasters with great risk for older adults. Much will be unfolding over the days, months and years to come, but one thing that is unequivocal is that the numerous fires that occurred in Los Angeles at the start of 2025 stem from the region’s natural inclination to heavy winds, low rain fall, dry landscape and often densely populated cities.

In Los Angeles, those factors have converged as a perfect storm affecting tens of thousands of residents, including older adults, their families and caregivers. Several of the major fires that erupted have been made profoundly worse by the region’s well-known heavy Santa Ana wind storms. Those heavy winds made containment of the fires nearly impossible for firefighters, other emergency personnel and volunteers to try to contain the disaster.

As of April 6, the state of California’s government website had noted that 610 wildfires had burned more than 59,000 acres of land. Additionally, 30 fatalities had been noted and more than 16,000 structures were said to be destroyed, with more than 150,000 emergency responses made (fire.ca.gov/incidents).

Global and local newspapers and news outlets have recounted stories and shared photos as well as videos of older adults living at home or in senior living communities who were at significant risk of not being able to get evacuated readily to a place of safety. It is important to find ways to try to better prepare and mitigate disasters of this magnitude to save lives and limit damages. Issues arise that can be unique to older adults receiving care in a variety of settings.

In the case of the California fires, older adults receiving care in their homes or in long-term care facilities may need to be evacuated without much notice. Further, older adults can be especially at risk if they have respiratory or cardiac diagnoses when air becomes heavy with smoke and particulate matter. It has been noted that public drinking water can become contaminated, making it difficult for older adults to get clean adequate hydration needed to survive.

In addition to the physical health effects of those types of disasters are the mental health concerns that arise. Older adults who completely lose their dwelling and memorable affects are at risk for profound mental health distress.

The Los Angeles structures that were completely destroyed may take years to be reconstructed, if that is even feasible in some cases. As a result, older adults can be rendered unhoused and made further vulnerable. The true numbers and magnitude of the effects on both physical and psychosocial health of the population of Los Angeles likely will be unfolding for quite some time.

Disaster preparedness considerations

A strong governmental offering from the US Department of Homeland Security is a starting place to address several important concerns regarding disaster preparedness for older adults living at home and in community long-term care environments. In 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Ad Council made older adults a focus of their public service announcements on disaster preparedness. FEMA published a publication, “Disaster Preparedness Guide for Older Adults” that addresses key steps toward comprehensive preparation. This guide provides essential information to ensure that older adults have their unique needs identified and met in concert with help from others.

The guide highlights that it is important to realize that older adults may have specific medications and medical supplies that will need to follow them should they have to evacuate. Having necessary batteries, chargers, food, water and other essentials ready to go with them is key.

Older adults with mobility issues may use walkers, canes, wheelchairs or, in some cases, could be bed-bound and likely would need significant help with transportation to a safe location. Having a transportation plan in place and knowing who to call first is important.

In addition, thinking about previsions for the pets of older adults is a key consideration. In the case of Los Angeles, several shelters were accepting pets to provide necessary care and keep them safe. Many of those pets also had injuries that needed to be tended. The animals sustained injuries as a result of intense heat/fires and falling debris. Having their pets safe can help with the mental anguish that older adults may experience.

Advance planning important

Older adults and those who care for them should know how to best communicate if a disaster occurs and evacuation or shelter in place directives have been given. An evacuation disaster means displacement for older adults from their home and mail.

It is recommended that if older adults depend on benefits such as Social Security to live on, then changing to electronic payments can make things easier. This also is a better way to avoid having checks misplaced or stolen in the aftermath of a disaster.

The US Department of the Treasury suggests that federal benefits of older adults should be set up to be deposited directly to an older adult’s account. For more information, individuals can go online (https://godirect.gov/gpw/) or call (800) 333-1795.

Senior living and healthcare providers, as well as community organizations, need to be proactive in establishing disaster plans and providing education on this topic for all older adult residents, patients, families and caregivers. Once a disaster strikes, there is not enough time to prepare efficiently and effectively regarding the range of needs that may need to be addressed in order to keep older adults safe and well. Being proactive and having sound preparedness plans in place are essential.

Stacen A. Keating, PhD, MS, RN, is a clinical associate professor and the assistant director of community education in the Hartford Institute for geriatric nursing at Rory Meyers College of Nursing of New York University.

The opinions expressed in each McKnight’s Senior Living guest column are those of the author and are not necessarily those of McKnight’s Senior Living.

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