After Fires Residents Return to Nursing Homes
Posted by
Randy WaltonOctober 26, 2007 7:34 PMAccording to most reports, the evacuation of area nursing home residents occurred in an orderly and safe manner, and in accordance with local disaster planning.
Fourteen San Diego nursing homes were evacuated totaling approximately 1,200 patients. In addition, 85 assisted living facilities and two hospitals were also evacuated. While the early news is good, and most of the nursing residents have returned home, officials caution the health risks associated with the fires might not be over.
Stress and hardship can worsen medical conditions and sometimes cause deaths among the elderly and infirm. Seven evacuees in San Diego County -- six older than 60 -- died this week during or after leaving their homes or health facilities. In an evacuation, the residents are vulnerable to dehydration, temperature changes and skin breakdowns.Experts say the mental health toll of a disaster often doesn't end when it is over. Seniors and others who are frail may require counseling or long-term help to cope with the resulting trauma. Dale Phillip, 55, who is recuperating at Remington Club from a car accident, said she didn't foresee lasting problems from the short evacuation.
"I think tomorrow they won't even remember it, to be quite honest," she said of her fellow residents. "They weren't happy during the interim. Now that they're back here, it's like all is forgotten. I think most of them are just thrilled to be back."
The fires aren't all out yet, but if the smooth performance of local facilities in moving residents to safe locations during the fires holds true, then the experience of San Diego County nursing homes during this disaster could become the model for others to follow.
For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Nursing Home and Elder Abuse.