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PubMed2006

Assisting older victims of disasters: roles and responsibilities for social workers.

The tumultuous catastrophic tragedies of the Oklahoma bombing in 1995 and September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon have caused urgency for the profession of social work to be ready to respond to unexpected crises whether directed to an individual, group, or nation. While there has always been the possibility of tragedies in the U.S. caused by nature (so-called "acts of God") or the spontaneous or planned acts of criminals or the deranged, the increased awareness of catastrophes includes, as never before, disasters that are perpetrated by terrorist acts from within or outside of the U.S. The creation of the Department of Homeland Security, in 2003, underscores the need for awareness and for preparation on the part of the nation. Based upon its skills and values, social workers have significant roles to play in the face of potential and actual disasters; yet, gerontological social workers have additional responsibilities for addressing the needs of older persons. It is the purpose of this article to provide an overview of issues to be considered by social workers, in general, and gerontological social workers, in particular, with regard to preparation for possible disasters and the consequences from such catastrophes that affect older persons.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prior planning to avoid responders becoming "victims" during disasters.

Prior planning to meet the physical and mental needs of medical and emergency services responder, is a practical measure to reduce staff stress. This has the potential to improve both the operational efficiency of a disaster response and reduce the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorders in responders. Research is needed to define which interventions provide the greatest benefits to local responders.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Post-traumatic stress disorder in victims of disasters.

Disasters can produce significant, lasting psychological sequelae. Much of the disaster work that mental health professionals can do falls outside of the more traditional roles usually taken by mental health professionals. These roles include reaching out to survivors through a variety of modes and rarely waiting for them to seek traditional forms of help. Much of what can be done does not require labeling individuals as disordered but may be done within the overall response of the community to the survivors on a variety of levels. To be most effective, we need to be involved in planning efforts that can be activated when disaster strikes, rather than being reactive to the situation after it has occurred. The potential range of responses can challenge the professional who wants to help his or her community when it has been affected.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Natural hazards: causes and effects. Lesson 5--Tropical cyclones (hurricanes, typhoons, baguios, cordonazos, tainos).

The many conclusions drawn and lessons learned from past cyclones can be used to mitigate and better respond to future occurrences. Some of the most helpful are listed below: 1) Outbreaks of cholera do not follow cyclones. Cholera must be endemic previously to a community; 2) Waterborne diseases do not increase as a result of cyclones; 3) Massive food aid rarely is required after a cyclone; 4) Used clothing almost never is needed. It usually is culturally inappropriate. Though accepted by disaster victims, it almost never is worn; 5) Blankets can be useful, but if they are needed, they usually can be found locally and do not need to be imported; 6) Assistance by outsiders is most effective in the reconstruction period, not the emergency phase; 7) Most needs are met by the victims themselves or their local governments; 8) In general, victims do not respond to disasters with abnormal behavior. Cyclones do not incite panic, hysteria, or rioting; 9) Cyclone relief and reconstruction programs should be integrated with long-term development programs; 10) When properly executed, reconstruction assistance can provide a strong stimulus to recovery and a base for future development work; 11) Reconstruction programs should seek to reduce vulnerability to future disaster; 12) Re-establishment of the local economy, income security, and agriculture usually are more important to cyclone victims than is material assistance; and 13) Churches, schools, and other large buildings that often are designated as cyclone shelters usually are not safe. The number of deaths attributed to destroyed or flooded shelters is alarming. Most experts agree that the best alternative is adequate warning and evacuation of the threatened areas.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMed1988

[Primary mental health care for the victims of the disaster in Armero, Colombia].

Seven to eight months after the disastrous volcanic mudslide that destroyed the town of Armero, Colombia, 200 victims were screened up by means of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) for emotional disorders identification. In order to assess disorders' specific nature, a 104-victim subsample was interviewed by psychiatrists. The most frequent diagnosis ranged among (a) Post-traumatic stress syndrome, (b) Depressión, and (c) Generalized anxiety disorder. Our findings help us to point out that (1) In a developing country a higher prevalence of well-defined emotional disorders among victims of any first-magnitude disaster is to be detected at such a level it can safely be said a real epidemic is to be tackled with, (2) Basically, the identified symptomatology confines itself to anxiety-depression disorders, (3) SRQ is indeed an apt instrument for disasters victims screening, and (4) Mental health specialized resources proved to be insufficient for an adequate coverage of the needs of the affected communities to be performed. As far as mental health is concerned, if the necessary services are to be offered so that all aspects involved are taken care of, it is imperative that victims be attended to by primary care workers. So far, mental health primary care area is still lacking a systematical research within a disaster situation framework. We understand that our paper may serve as an initial orientation for this care strategy being duly implemented and furthered up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

GC-MS identification of MIC trimer: a constituent of tank residue in preserved autopsy blood of Bhopal gas victims.

Based on the external and internal findings of Bhopal gas disaster victims, it was apparent that the gases and particulate matter came out as an aerosol. This was possibly the pyrolysed, reformulated, reconjugated suspension of constituents of the tank E-610 of Union Carbide India Limited, Bhopal, while it was claimed to be methyl isocyanate (MIC) only. It was postulated by the manufacturer of MIC, that the material inhaled by the victims of the Bhopal gas disaster does not cross the lung barrier (UCC press conference on 14th December 1984). It was observed that the more the victims ran, the more aerosol they inhaled and the fatalities were observed in such victims. The tissues, which were preserved in the deep freeze, were randomly selected and analysed by GC coupled with MS (ITD) Finnigan MAT, UK. 14 out of 34 autopsy cases showed MIC trimer peak in extracts of blood. This was one of the constituents of the aerosol and was also located in the tank residue, thereby proving that the trimer had passed the lung barrier.

Accidents, Occupational↗