The Role of Older Adults in Social Recovery After Natural Disasters

geriatri-10-1-kapak-wos

Fatma EROLa , Tuğçe KELEŞb , Fehmi AKÇİÇEKc

aEge University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Geriatrics, İzmir, Türkiye
bEge University Health Sciences Institute, Internal Medicine, Health of the Elderly Programme, İzmir, Türkiye
cEge University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Geriatrics, Retired Faculty Member, İzmir, Türkiye

ABSTRACT
Natural disasters, are extraordinary events that have a great impact on societies. Disasters have significant physical, psychological, social, and economic effects on individuals and communities. Some demographic groups are more vulnerable than others to the impacts of disasters; for instance, older people are at a greater risk in such situations. The impact of natural disasters extends beyond the physical damage; natural disasters also affect the social structure of communities. Social recovery is a component of disaster management that focuses on the restoration of social networks, community structure, and individual well-being. In this article, we aimed to address the situation and role of older people in post-disaster social recovery.
Keywords: Elderly; natural disasters; social capital; vulnerable populations

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