Emergency: Is Evacuation the Best Choice?

Emergencies and disasters involving senior residents are always frightening and dangerous. But in situations where sheltering in place is a valid option, not evacuating may be the safer choice, new research suggests.

A new literature review published in JAMDA, the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine examined 10 different studies published between 2010 and 2015 that discussed nursing home disasters and resident deaths following an emergency evacuation. About half the studies were from the United States. Researchers noted how each study dealt with disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.