The increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather events in Australia have seen rapid changes in the way emergency services plan for and respond to disasters. Addressing the disproportionate impact of these events on older Australians and their informal carers is a key focus of the Care2Prepare disaster preparedness project led by Carers NSW.
The project began by examining inclusive approaches to emergency response and recovery efforts that prioritise the support needs of people providing and receiving care and consulting with community members and other stakeholders to co-design a disaster preparedness toolkit that is accessible and actionable for households. The testing phase of the toolkit revealed a significant increase in confidence among users and increased awareness of their personal capability to take protective action.
During the pilot phase, 58 individuals participated in the “older person” category. Direct feedback from 28 carers and older people demonstrated that the step-by-step approach of the toolkit helps to alleviate a sense of overwhelm, enhances understanding of risks, and renders preparedness and planning more manageable.
Care2Prepare advocates for the importance of integrating ageing considerations into disaster risk reduction frameworks at local and state levels by collaborating with local councils and emergency response committees to formally recognise people with specific needs in key planning instruments.
By bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice, this presentation will highlight how person-centred planning conversations can catalyse actionable strategies to create better outcomes in the face of disasters, contributing to more resilient and inclusive communities.