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Older adults' meanings of preparedness: a New Zealand perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2015

ROBYN TUOHY  and
CHRISTINE STEPHENS
ROBYN TUOHY*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology/Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
CHRISTINE STEPHENS
Affiliation:
School of Psychology/Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
*
Address for correspondence: Robyn Tuohy, School of Psychology/Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University, PO Box 756, Wellington 6140, New Zealand E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Contemporary Western social policy encourages older adults to maintain independence in the community. Socio-cultural norms of independence have recently become associated with successful ageing. Personal autonomy and self-responsibility are cultural markers by which older adults increasingly define their lives and identity. Many older adults seek to remain independent within their communities, while coping with age-related decline, and living alone with decreased social connectedness. These characteristics have also been associated with personal and social vulnerability and explain why older adults are at higher risk of experiencing disproportionate negative outcomes during disasters. This paper describes findings from narrative interviews with a sample of independent community-dwelling New Zealand older adults. The interviews sought to explore their views about disaster preparedness. However, within their accounts was a collective and bigger story about personal preparedness, and social relationships in later life, which extended beyond the context of preparing for a future disaster event. Older adults identified age-specific preparedness as a way to maintain independence in the everyday context of their lives. Concerns about health influenced their choices and actions as they evaluated and prioritised goals and strategies to maintain independence and wellbeing. Social relationships were also considered an important resource to support independence. Understanding the role of preparedness in the everyday lives of older adults has implications for improving the disproportionate negative outcomes this vulnerable age group can experience during a disaster. Therefore, health, gerontology and emergency management have much in common when considering older adults' preparedness during non-disaster times.

Keywords

ageingolder adultsindependencepreparednessdisaster preparednesshealth
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 36 , Issue 3 , March 2016 , pp. 613 - 630
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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