Headlines - Health Impact of Emergency Evacuation of Elderly Residents in Care Facilities.

Although frequently discussed or suspected, the health impact on elderly people living in care facilities who are subject to emergency relocation due to disasters (floods, storms, fires, etc.) has been poorly supported by data in the literature. The InVS unit in the PACA-Corse region has published a study conducted following the 2010 floods in the Var department. A prospective cohort study was carried out through two assessments of the health status of nursing home residents: before the floods and five months later, upon their return to the facility. Monthly mortality data recorded at the facility in 2010 were compared with data from 2006 to 2009 at the same facility, and with 2010 data from two other facilities in the disaster-stricken area that had not evacuated their residents. The number of deaths recorded in the month following the floods was three times higher than the average expected number of deaths over the study period and still twice as high during the second month. This excess mortality was not observed in the two other facilities studied in the disaster-stricken area. Those who died were predominantly men, elderly, dependent, and residents of medical care units. These results suggest that, despite the precautions taken by emergency response teams, the emergency relocation of older adults—which is unavoidable in this context—can have serious consequences. Whenever possible, the need for relocation should be discussed, prepared in advance, and followed by specific support for the most vulnerable individuals.