Get Ready! The Vulnerability and Resilience of Older Adults in Disasters

Abstract

Objective: The concepts of vulnerability and resilience dictate the experiences that older adults have in times of disaster. Our primary purpose is to shed light on the heavy losses experienced by older adults during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Materials and Methods: In line with this purpose, this phenomenological qualitative study was conducted from March 2022, when the obligation to wear a mask outside was lifted, until the end of December 2022 with 50 participants aged 65 and over living in & Idot;stanbul, using the snowball method. To understand the participants' vulnerability and resilience, they were asked about their experiences in these areas. The results were given in a mixed manner in line with the statements of older citizens. Results: It has been concluded that older people's existing health and structural problems break their resilience at the point of vulnerability, and factors such as socializing, staying connected to others through digital platforms, and receiving social support increase their social resilience. Conclusion: The older participants in the present study not only expressed their vulnerability; they also recounted their resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. As older adults provide intergenerational solidarity to fight against disasters, specific frameworks should be designed to support this effort.