What is it about?

We looked at how older people in an earthquake-hit area are affected by stress. We talked to 152 elderly survivors in Indonesia and found that almost 60% had stress symptoms. The study shows that health issues, access to healthcare, and their jobs before the disaster can affect their stress levels. This research helps us understand how the elderly cope after disasters and reminds us to care for their mental health. It's the first study of its kind in Indonesia and offers ideas to help older people recover from stress after disasters.

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Why is it important?

Our study stands out because it focuses on a vulnerable group often overlooked after disasters: the elderly. As the first research of its kind in Indonesia, it sheds light on the mental health challenges faced by older people following natural disasters like earthquakes. This work is timely and relevant, considering the increasing frequency of such events globally. By identifying factors that contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among elderly survivors, our findings could influence policies and interventions to better support their mental well-being. This research's uniqueness lies in its potential to create awareness, drive action, and bring positive change in post-disaster care for elderly individuals.

Perspectives

Personally, delving into the factors associated with PTSD in the elderly has made me more aware of the importance of considering their needs in disaster response and recovery efforts. The findings underscore the significance of factors like chronic illnesses and access to healthcare in shaping mental health outcomes.

Mr Ferry Efendi
Universitas Airlangga

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following natural disaster among Indonesian elderly, Working with Older People, October 2019, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/wwop-08-2019-0020.
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