dmh after a disaster for elderly

							AFTER A DISASTER                 loss of interest in        professional assistance,
                                  activities                 "adjustment reactions" can be
Post-traumatic stress                                        dealt with relatively quickly and
                                 irritability
reaction is a normal                                         easily.
response to a distressing        confusion
event that is outside the        sadness or depression
range of usual human                                         If you feel you may need
experience. Disasters are     These reactions are            additional help to recover from
dramatic and intense          understandable. Fear is a      the disaster, please contact
experiences and may be        normal reaction to danger.     Northampton County Mental
especially frightening for                                   Health:
the elderly.
                              Dealing with Distress                   610-252-9060
Trauma and the sense of
loss all occur. Most of us                                        (24-hr. Crisis Hotline)
feel a loss of control over   Providing someone to stay
our lives when disaster       with an older adult is often
strikes, particularly the     helpful:
elderly who may already
feel impaired because of         Talk openly about their
physical limitations. They        fear, anxiety, and
may also be more isolated         irritability.
and alone.                       If confusion is a
                                  problem, orient the
Any disturbance heightens         older adult to the
feelings of vulnerability         environment by
and isolation. These              frequent references to
responses are normal and          the date, time, and
will pass with time.              surroundings.
                                 Frequently touch and
Anxieties and fears also          call the older adult by
may translate into physical       name. It enhances the
symptoms:                         inability to recover
                                  more quickly.
   headaches                    Give additional
   aches and pains               attention and
   overeating or loss of         reassurance.
    appetite                     Rehearse safety
   vomiting                      measures for future
                                  disasters.
   bowel problems
                                 Encourage contact with
   skin disorders
                                  friends and relatives.
   sleep disorders
   nightmares or
    excessive sleeping
                              When Problems Persist
   emotional and
    behavioral reactions      Talk with a counselor or
   forgetfulness             family therapist. With