Department of Environmental Studies, Antioch University New England, Keene, New Hampshire.
Dublin School, New Hampshire.
Gerontologist. 2018 May 8;58(3):567-577. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnw167.
Recent reports highlight the vulnerability of elderly adults to climate change, yet limited research has focused on this topic. To address this, the purpose of this study was to develop an in-depth understanding of elderly adult's vulnerability to climate change within the context of a specific community.
A case study methodology utilizing a community-based action research approach was employed to engage elderly participants living in Bridgeport, CT, in exploring their vulnerability to current and predicted climate stressors with a focus on extreme heat, flooding and storms, and air pollution.
This research identifies personal characteristics that interact with contextual factors to influence elderly adult's vulnerability to climate change. Personal characteristics include health, economic, and social considerations. Contextual factors include the adequacy of emergency preparedness measures, transportation resources, and coping and recovery resources. As a result of the interplay of these characteristics and factors, predicted climate changes could have serious consequences for Bridgeport's elderly adults.
This research provides a contextualized and detailed illustration of how climate change could overwhelm elderly adult's adaptive capacity and highlights the need for support services to provide safeguards. The issues and concerns raised may bear similarities to other locations, especially urban settings facing similar climate stressors with similar socioeconomic conditions. The findings suggest a need for further research to improve our understanding and serve as the basis for collaborative adaptation planning that engages elderly communities with local governments and a broad coalition of partners to keep elders safe.
最近的报告强调了老年人易受气候变化影响的脆弱性，但针对这一主题的研究有限。因此，本研究旨在深入了解特定社区中老年人对气候变化的脆弱性。
本研究采用基于社区的行动研究方法进行案例研究，以使康涅狄格州布里奇波特的老年参与者参与探索他们对当前和预测的气候压力因素（特别是极端高温、洪水和风暴以及空气污染）的脆弱性。
本研究确定了与情境因素相互作用影响老年人对气候变化脆弱性的个人特征。个人特征包括健康、经济和社会方面的考虑。情境因素包括应急准备措施、交通资源、应对和恢复资源的充足性。由于这些特征和因素的相互作用，预测的气候变化可能会对布里奇波特的老年人产生严重后果。
本研究详细说明了气候变化如何使老年人的适应能力不堪重负，并强调需要支持服务来提供保障。提出的问题和关注点可能与其他面临类似气候压力和类似社会经济条件的城市地区有相似之处。研究结果表明，需要进一步研究以加深我们的理解，并为协作适应规划提供基础，使老年社区与地方政府和广泛的合作伙伴联盟合作，确保老年人的安全。
