3.1.3. Social Isolation

Social isolation can create feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and hopeless feelings in the elderly. It can reduce an individual's capacity to cope with climate events. Seniors who are ill and housebound are unable to flee from harm during an emergency. They might not be able to ask for help or receive emergency information (Bryant et al. 2022). Banks (2013) adds that rescuers might not be aware of these individuals during search, rescue, and recovery efforts. This also points to the competence of emergency managers who do not recognize the specific vulnerabilities of the elderly and their inability to address these needs effectively.
