Issue #20: Disaster Response

Seniors are disproportionately harmed by climate change and natural disasters such as heatwaves, floods, drought, fires, snow, and windstorms. While working to remedy this crisis, Canada must also ensure an appropriate, actionable plan to support vulnerable seniors during climate change events and natural disasters.

Recommendation #66: Pan-Canadian Seniors’ Disaster Plan

With the support of the Public Health Agency of Canada, create a pan-Canadian disaster plan for seniors, including for those in long-term care and congregate care settings, community settings, Indigenous, Northern, rural and remote communities.

Recommendation #67: Community Response

Create easy-to-understand implementation guidelines for community response to support seniors during climate change and natural disasters. Include information and resources that can be accessed during a disaster that is not dependent on electricity. Work with key stakeholders and agencies to implement these programs. Create a neighborhood seniors’ “check-in” system to ensure older adults are safe, and when they are in need, to connect them with emergency or social services.

Recommendation #68: Heat

Establish maximum temperatures for long-term care homes and congregate care settings. Require air conditioning in all existing and newly built common and residents’ rooms, and retrofit existing care facilities for effective cooling.

Recommendation #69: Snow and Debris Clean Up

Work with municipalities and community-based organizations to organize snow removal and post-storm debris clean up. Prioritize municipal clean-up crews to vulnerable seniors.