The interviewer, who probably has never had an orientation to the special considerations involved in serving older persons, may never know that real communication has not occurred. Many older persons have disabilities, are frail, or have chronic health problems such as arthritis. This means that special efforts related to transportation to centers, availability of wheelchairs, attention to medication, and special outreach efforts must be addressed. The more frail an older person is, the more susceptible he is to a condition known as transfer trauma. This condition was first noted and documented in nursing homes and occur when an older person has to be moved from one living arrangement to another.
Statistics show that rates of illness and even death increase significantly.
Properly followed procedures by persons knowledgeable of such factors can greatly reduce the negative impact of necessary relocation. It is a challenging responsibility to meet the needs of older disaster victims. For a person or agency that does not work in the field of aging, it is perhaps an impossible challenge to do the job well. That is why anyone who works with disasters should know about the aging network and have the support of trained individuals who can assure that the older victims receive the special attention necessary to meet their special needs. In addition to Disaster Advocate and Outreach Services, the aging network must provide gap-filling services.