Long Term Disaster Recovery for Older Adults: A Case Study of the 2013 Colorado Floods

• In Event: 046 - Section on Environment and Technology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 09. Hazards and Disasters

Abstract

This paper explores issues fundamental to disaster recovery among senior citizens following the September 2013 Colorado floods. Much of the disaster literature focusing on senior citizens covers the condition of vulnerability, challenges faced by the long term care system in disaster settings, or psychological impacts of disaster exposure. Little attention has been paid by disaster sociologists to long term recovery within this frequently overlooked population, and much of the existing literature treats seniors as a homogenous group. This research complicates what is known about seniors in disaster settings by recognizing multiple layers of diversity and ability that influence the recovery process in complex ways. This paper presents observations shared by employees of senior serving organizations and older adults affected by the 2013 flood disaster in Colorado. By investigating the myriad conditions that shape elders’ disaster experiences, greater knowledge is gained about potential disaster outcomes. Preliminary findings from early fieldwork are presented, and future insights from ongoing work within the community will be shared.

Author

• Nnenia Marie Campbell, University of Colorado-Boulder