Disaster planning needed for older adults during the hurricane and wildfire season

Disaster planning for older adults: What to know this hurricane and wildfire season When Hurricane Ian struck southwestern Florida in 2022, it led to the deaths of more than 150 people—the majority of whom were older adults who had heart-related problems, power outage-related accidents, ... Laura Williamson Medical Xpress

...

The deaths drove home the importance of evacuating when natural hazards threaten homes and highlighted the complicated nature of doing so for the growing population of adults aging in place.

"A lot of people don't evacuate," said Dr. Lindsay Peterson, a research assistant professor in the School of Aging Studies at the University of South Florida in Tampa. "But this is especially true for older adults, especially if they don't have a lot of warning. It takes time to put a package together with medications and all the things they need on a daily basis.

...