Ifyou,oryourlovedone,areexperiencing traumaorhighlevelsofdistress,seekcrisis counseling.Formoreinformationpleasevisit theTexasP.R.I.D.E.(PeopleRecovering

In-spiteofDevastatingEvents)Crisis

CounselingProgramwebsiteat:

Helping theElderly Recoverfromthe EmotionalAftermath ofDisaster

TexasP.R.I.D.E.CrisisCounselingProgram

DepartmentofStateHealthServices

POBox149347MailCode:2008

Austin,TX78714-9347 Visit the website at:

Studiesshowthatitoftentakesolder adultslongertorecoverfroma catastrophicevent.Health

problems,fixedincomesandlack

ofawarenessaboutdisasteraidareall contributingfactors.Theelderlyare alsoapreferredtargetoffraudulent contractors.Duringtheaftermathofa

disaster,it'simportanttobesupportiveof

olderfamilymembersandbecomeaware ofsomeoftheirspecialneedsand vulnerabilities.

Commonreactionsthatolderadults mayexperienceinclude:

•Confusion anddisorientation

•Concealing ornotwantingto knowthefullextentofdamage

•Fearoflosingindependenceor beingsenttoanursinghome

•Withdrawal andisolation

•Apathyorbelievingthattheyare toooldtostartoveragain

•Irritability, angerorsuspicion

•Griefoverlossesfromthepast

Withoutproperhelp,olderadults candeclinerapidlyfollowing a disaster.Payattentiontochanges thatmayindicateanolderfamily memberisinneedofsomeextra help,suchas:

•Increased memoryloss

•Making poordecisions

•Beingeasilydistracted

•Declining health

•Neglecting medicalneeds

•Newphysicalsymptoms thatmay berelatedtostress

•Decreased mobility

•Driving poorly

•Sleepdisturbancesornightmares

•Increased vulnerability

Duringthehecticperiodofrecov­ ery,olderfamilymemberscanbe unintentionallyoverlooked. Be mindfuloftheirspecialneedsand maketimetoofferemotional sup­portandpracticalhelp:

•Visitandphoneyourelderly loved-ones regularly.

•Listentotheirconcerns.

•Helpthemmaintaindaily routinesasmuchaspossible.

•Offertoprovidetransportation.

•Helpthemdealwithinsurance companies.

•Findoutaboutdisasterrecovery

aidtheymayqualifyfor.

•Helpthemfilloutthepaperwork andkeepappointments.

•Behonestwiththem;if necessary,suggestalternatives torebuilding.

•Connectthemtosocialservices forseniorcitizens.

•Helpthemstayinvolved with theirsocial andfaith communi­ ties.

•Encourage themtoreportfraud orabusetoauthorities.