Abstract
Abstract Text: Introduction Older adults are at-risk for injury, illness, or death following a disaster or public health emergency, especially if they have chronic health conditions or other functional needs. Understanding their unique perspectives may inform education efforts to improve their household emergency preparedness (HEP) and safety.
Purpose This study investigated self-reported levels of HEP among community-dwelling older adults, exploring feasibility and effectiveness of offering group education virtually and in-person. It built on previous studies of the Nurses Taking on Readiness Measures intervention that examined short-term effectiveness of one-on-one HEP education.
Methods The design was a non-randomized before-after feasibility study of educational sessions conducted by a nurse interventionist. Participants were English-speaking older adults in the southwestern US. Each session included a presentation and instruction booklet about creating evacuation and communication plans and identifying community resources. The Household Emergency Preparedness Instrument (HEPI) was administered online prior to and 4-8 weeks post-intervention. We also gathered data about demographics and barriers and facilitators of HEP.
Results Of those completing the pre-intervention survey (N=30), the majority were married, white, female, retired homeowners, had at least some college education, and took at least one prescription medication. One third lived in ZIP codes at high risk for wildfires. HEPI Preparedness Actions and Planning scores for those completing the pre- and post-interventions surveys (N = 16) increased significantly from 4.97 (95% CI 3.79 –6.15) pre-intervention to 9.69 post-intervention (95% CI 7.04 –12.33).
Discussion and Conclusions Although the sample was not representative of all older adults, the lack of pre-intervention preparedness is concerning. Wildfire risk requires capability to evacuate on short notice, highlighting the importance of including transportation in HEP planning. Participants indicated after each session that the education was helpful, although evaluation of effectiveness was limited by attrition. Nevertheless, findings support the feasibility of group educational interventions to enhance HEP in community-dwelling older adults and the need to explore methods to promote their safety. Research on long-term impact of educational interventions on preparedness would be valuable. The protocol will be shared to encourage replication.
Notes
Reference list is included in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Beta Alpha
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Public and Community Health, Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health, Teaching and Learning Strategies, Global Health Issues and Ethics, Household Emergency Preparedness, Older Adults, Aged
Recommended Citation
Adams, Lavonne M.; McNeill, Charleen; Samuels, William Ellery; and Heagele, Tara, "“Ready, Set, Prepared!” Promoting Household Emergency Preparedness of Older Adults" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 109.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/109
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-11-21
Funder(s)
Sigma Theta Tau International. Beta Alpha Chapter
“Ready, Set, Prepared!” Promoting Household Emergency Preparedness of Older Adults
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Abstract Text: Introduction Older adults are at-risk for injury, illness, or death following a disaster or public health emergency, especially if they have chronic health conditions or other functional needs. Understanding their unique perspectives may inform education efforts to improve their household emergency preparedness (HEP) and safety.
Purpose This study investigated self-reported levels of HEP among community-dwelling older adults, exploring feasibility and effectiveness of offering group education virtually and in-person. It built on previous studies of the Nurses Taking on Readiness Measures intervention that examined short-term effectiveness of one-on-one HEP education.
Methods The design was a non-randomized before-after feasibility study of educational sessions conducted by a nurse interventionist. Participants were English-speaking older adults in the southwestern US. Each session included a presentation and instruction booklet about creating evacuation and communication plans and identifying community resources. The Household Emergency Preparedness Instrument (HEPI) was administered online prior to and 4-8 weeks post-intervention. We also gathered data about demographics and barriers and facilitators of HEP.
Results Of those completing the pre-intervention survey (N=30), the majority were married, white, female, retired homeowners, had at least some college education, and took at least one prescription medication. One third lived in ZIP codes at high risk for wildfires. HEPI Preparedness Actions and Planning scores for those completing the pre- and post-interventions surveys (N = 16) increased significantly from 4.97 (95% CI 3.79 –6.15) pre-intervention to 9.69 post-intervention (95% CI 7.04 –12.33).
Discussion and Conclusions Although the sample was not representative of all older adults, the lack of pre-intervention preparedness is concerning. Wildfire risk requires capability to evacuate on short notice, highlighting the importance of including transportation in HEP planning. Participants indicated after each session that the education was helpful, although evaluation of effectiveness was limited by attrition. Nevertheless, findings support the feasibility of group educational interventions to enhance HEP in community-dwelling older adults and the need to explore methods to promote their safety. Research on long-term impact of educational interventions on preparedness would be valuable. The protocol will be shared to encourage replication.
Description
This study explored household emergency preparedness (HEP) in community-dwelling older adults following a group educational session. Post-intervention scores on the Household Emergency Preparedness Instrument increased and participants reported that the session would be useful for emergency planning. The research highlights feasibility and potential of educational interventions to enhance HEP of older adults and mitigate adverse health impact following disaster.