case study on evacuation that occurred in the state of Florida
The case study that was published by Magnum, Kosberg, and McDonald relates to an evacuation that occurred in the state of Florida. The Gerontologist initially published the article in 1989 publication 29(3) and on pages 388 to 392. Due to Hurricane Elena and Pinellas that occurred, disaster management agencies respond to the evacuation of nursing home clients in Florida. According to the authors, this was the most massive evacuation of the kind that has ever been conducted in the United States by 1989.
Hurricane Elena occurred in 1985, and the number of patients evacuated from the nursing home was 1,860. The authors of the article were doing an investigation of events that unfolded during the evacuation process. In total, 19 nursing homes participated in the research, and besides, McDonald, one of the authors, was involved in doing evacuation.
To start with, the authors acknowledge challenges that exist during such events and conditions, which makes the situation slightly vary from Normal. Adverse weather conditions or other factors associated with natural calamities can hinder access to facilities and even transport. Despite high levels of coordination and management on the process, the problems extend to save temporally residences where the patients were moved. The article highlights some key and notable challenges associated with temporary settlement or accommodation of the elderly that evacuators need to address. First is the separation of the patients from professional caregivers or people; they have established good relations and understanding.
The second problem is the lack of or inadequate staff, which makes it hard for the elderly to get the services they need. The third problem is the lack of amenities like clothing, medication, and proper diet. In conclusion, the authors recommend evacuation of the elderly should be integrated with the reunion of the patients with their caregivers, which is an issue that was not observed in the 1985 evacuation at Florida and Pinellas.