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American Journal of  
Society and Law ( AJSL)

Unfolding the Experiences and Preparedness Mechanism of  Senior Citizens in the Wake 
of  Disaster: Towards a Disaster Resilient Community

Norolshalah M. Guiamalodin1*, Rita Gen A. Culele1, Jofelrey Silguerra1, Tomas Jr. A. Diquito1 

Volume 3 Issue 1, Year 2024
ISSN: 2835-3277 (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajsl.v3i1.2299
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajsl

Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: December 15, 2023

Accepted: January 20, 2024

Published: January 23, 2024

The physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of  every individual is negatively 
affected by disasters. In particular, the aged people, or “Senior Citizens” are susceptible 
to the disproportionate and detrimental effects brought upon by any form of  disaster. 
Thus, this study explored the lived experiences of  senior citizens in any disaster and their 
corresponding preparatory mechanisms. Using a qualitative-phenomenological research 
design, this study interviewed eleven (11) participants to generate their experiences and 
preparatory mechanism in the wake of  disaster. The use of  Collaizi’s method was used 
in the analysis of  the qualitative data. Analysis of  data revealed two emergent themes: 
(1) Disaster-related challenges and (2) life security that describe the experiences of  the 
participants. In addition, the results have shown that senior citizens experience difficulty 
in combating disasters due to a range of  disaster-related challenges they encounter. On the 
other hand, their most common preparatory mechanism in order to combat the challenges 
primarily relates to safety measures. Thus, disaster preparations need to be strengthened and 
ensure that the needs of  senior citizens are taken into account in local disaster planning and 
community response efforts.

Keywords
Disaster Preparedness, Disaster 
Management, Senior Citizens, 
Local Government Unit

1 Department of  Teachers Education, University of  Mindanao -Digos, Digos City, Philippines
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: norolshalahguiamalodin@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION
Disasters have been known to affect an individual’s 
physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, and 
the elderly or ‘Senior Citizens’ in particular are one of  
the most vulnerable to the disaster’s disproportionate 
and negative consequences. According to the Red 
Cross (2020), older adults are identified as a vulnerable 
population, which indicates that these specific groups 
of  people are more likely to be at a greater risk of  an 
incoming disaster. Moreover, the United Nations High 
Commissioner for Refugees (2023) identified the specific 
risks senior citizens face during disasters: a decline in 
sensory awareness, less mobility, diminished psychosocial 
capacities, chronic health problems, and specific 
nutritional needs. In addition, the vulnerabilities that 
senior citizens experience are also interconnected with 
factors such as physical condition, risks to well-being, 
and their ability to maintain autonomy (Zagorac 2017). 
As a result, all of  these factors implicate and negatively 
affect how senior citizens efficiently prepare, handle, and 
respond to a disaster (Pekovic et al., 2007, as cited by Kim 
& Zahour, 2017).
However, despite the increased awareness of  disasters and 
the growing research pertaining to how disaster affects 
humans (Ngo, 2001, as cited by Tierney, 2019), extensive 
studies exploring the experiences and preparedness 
of  senior citizens with disasters are still limited and 
undeveloped (Brockie & Miller, 2017; Phraknoi et al., 
2023). Furthermore, there is an overall lack of  research 
that focuses on the unique needs of  senior citizens in 
the context of  disasters (Bodstein, 2014; Fountain et al. 
2019). According to Kar (2016), although senior citizens 
are considered a vulnerable group, their needs are still 

insufficiently dealt with in disaster situations. Therefore, 
uncovering disaster preparedness through the lens of  
senior citizens can help in creating inclusive frameworks, 
which is crucial in order to reduce and minimize disaster 
losses for all sectors of  the community and promote 
holistic community resiliency.
Numerous studies revealed that the elderly people 
were considered as the most vulnerable during any 
form of  disaster worldwide, having the most fatalities 
among the population (Bhadra, 2020; Brockie & 
Miller, 2017; Engelman et al. 2022; Zhu & Sun, 2018). 
Despite this, communities still continue to struggle 
with addressing disaster preparedness (Cox & Kim, 
2017; Yarmohammadian, 2023). And even though 
senior citizens are at greater risk during a disaster, this 
population is reported to be less likely prepared for 
during the wake of  a disaster (Al-rousing et al., 2014 ; 
Loke et al., 2012). Disaster preparedness involves taking 
proactive measures before a disaster occurs to ensure a 
sufficient response to its effects and facilitate recovery 
(Coppola, 2020). These preparations encompass a wide 
range of  activities, starting from individual-level actions 
to household actions and extending to community efforts 
and governmental strategies (Chan & Ho, 2018).
Meanwhile, the Philippines is one of  the most disaster-
prone countries worldwide and is highly susceptible to 
both geophysical and climate-related disasters (Bollettino 
et. al, 2020). According to Guanio (2021), senior citizens 
experience a greater disproportionate impact from 
disasters, especially when they reside in a disaster-prone 
country with inadequate social safety nets. Moreover, 
in the wake of  natural disasters, evidence suggests that 
older people in the country have been disproportionately 



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affected by the consequences of  disasters, along with the 
highest mortality rate among the population (Almazan et 
al., 2019; Garcia et al., 2016; Gray et al. 2022).  Furthermore, 
along with poor physical and mental condition, it can be 
noted that the older population in the country generally 
have limited financial means, which makes it difficult 
for them to prepare for an upcoming disaster (Rizo et 
al., 2020). They frequently lack the tools necessary to 
adequately prepare, such as the money needed to board up 
their home, a vehicle to utilize for an evacuation or even 
a place to stay in case they have to leave their home (Rizo 
et al., 2020).On that note, disaster preparedness generally 
pertains to the efforts and actions taken to prevent or 
lessen the impact on vulnerable groups and to efficiently 
respond and deal with the effects of  the disaster (Maac & 
Labatete, 2023).
This study is guided by the lens of  Ageism which 
pertains to the unjustified discrimination solely based on 
age (Rueda, 2021). Ageism comes into play in disaster 
situations due to the negative stereotypes of  seniors, 
such as their vulnerabilities in particular (Oostlander et 
al., 2022). Moreover, in the context of  disaster, older 
adults are often viewed as ‘victims’ who need to be taken 
care of, and they are usually portrayed as incapable of  
doing anything for themselves (Outlander et al., 2021). In 
addition, the assumption that older adults are less able 
to prepare for disasters or less likely to survive them can 
result in a lack of  targeted outreach and education efforts 
aimed at this population (Bodstein, 2014). This can leave 
older adults without the information, access, or resources 
they need to prepare for disasters, putting them at greater 
risk adequately.
This idea can further be integrated into Bronfenbrenner’s 
Ecological Systems Theory.  Bronfenbrenner’s theory 
posits that an individual’s well-being is shaped by their 
social environment and the nature of  their relationships 
with others, including family, neighbors, and institutional 
systems (Ettekal & Mahoney, 2017).  The key concept 
in applying this principle is recognizing that those 
impacted by natural disasters are interconnected within 
systems and networks and are linked to other individuals 
and communities (Milner & O’Brien, 2009, as cited by 
Shokane, 2019). This theory also describes the different 
levels of  influence on an individual’s development. Each 
level was further defined by Boon et. al, (2011) as follows: 
At the microsystem level, individuals interact directly with 
their family, peers, and school systems. The mesosystem 
examines how these microsystems interact with each 
other. The exosystem includes external factors that have 
an impact on the individual, such as extended family, 
neighborhood, or in the workplace. The macrosystem 
represents the broader societal and cultural influences, 
including government policies, cultural values, and the 
economy. Boon et al. (2011) further emphasized that 
these different levels of  influence collectively shape an 
individual’s experiences, and it is important to note that 
it is at the macrosystem level where policy and planning 
take place, which can heavily affect individuals and 
communities as a whole. This means that it is at this level 

where the great emphasis on involving people in both 
the identification and implementation of  any disaster 
program activities and interventions takes place (Boon 
et al., 2011). Overall, the ecological systems theory is 
concerned with how an individual can achieve balance 
with its environment or in contrary, how they sometimes 
fail to achieve balance caused by the influences on their 
environment (Zastrow, 2010 as cited by Shokane, 2019).
Ageism, which encompasses the negative stereotypes 
and discrimination solely based on age, results in limited 
access to resources, inadequate support systems, and, 
worst of  all, marginalization among senior citizens in the 
wake of  disasters. In that sense, the macrosystem level 
of  the Ecological Systems Theory, where the societal 
attitudes and values, policy resource allocation, and the 
strength of  social support networks play a crucial role 
in addressing the needs and challenges faced by senior 
citizens. Therefore, to promote the well-being and 
preparedness of  senior citizens in the wake of  disaster, it 
is essential to uncover the experiences of  senior citizens 
particularly the challenges they have endured due to the 
vulnerabilities and discrimination directed towards them 
and how it influences their corresponding preparedness 
mechanism. Doing so would significantly help develop 
inclusive disaster policies, hence fostering resilience and 
preparedness of  senior citizens in the face of  disaster 
emergencies.
The findings and results of  this study would be beneficial 
to the community. Specifically, this study could be used 
to disseminate the concerns of  senior citizens about the 
gaps in disaster programs. Considering the impending 
aging phenomenon and the inevitable disaster risks in the 
country, this study can be utilized by local government units 
as a basis to improve disaster planning and interventions 
in which it can address the problems and issues during 
the implementation of  disaster preparedness programs, 
particularly in elderly communities. In addition, the 
findings of  this study further expand the existing body 
of  knowledge by providing information regarding the 
disaster-related challenges, experiences, and issues among 
senior citizens, further demonstrating the importance of  
adequate disaster preparedness mechanism.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
This study aims to uncover disaster preparedness through 
the lens of  senior citizens in Digos City, Philippines. 
Thus, this study will be guided by the following research 
objectives;     

1. What are the experiences of  senior citizens during 
any form of  disaster?

2. What are the preparatory mechanisms of  senior 
citizens in any form of  disaster in their area?

3. What disaster preparedness conceptual framework 
be created based on the lens of  senior citizens?

METHODOLOGY
Participants 
This study was conducted in Brgy. Soong, Digos 
City, Davao del Sur, Philippines. The chosen location 



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is a disaster-prone area where several fault lines are 
discovered, making it more dangerous to earthquakes 
than other areas. In addition, it is a rural area, which 
means that it is more susceptible to a range of  natural 
disasters such as floods and landslides, posing additional 
problems since they are more likely to rely on local water 
sources for drinking. These factors can cause significant 
damage to properties and infrastructure, aggravating the 
risks experienced by seniors.
Upon choosing the participants, the researchers utilized 
snowball sampling. According to Naderifar et al. 
(2017), the snowball sampling technique is a method 
of  gathering information to access specific groups of  
people. By introducing the researchers through a reliable 
social network, the snowball sampling technique directly 
addresses the uncertainties and mistrust that are typical 
in a conflicted environment (Cohen & Arieli, 2011). 
Researchers started with establishing a contact with one 
initial participant who was qualified from the inclusion 
criteria. Then, researchers requested the initial participant 
to identify more potential participants with the same case 
and so on. Sampling continued until the specified sample 

size was accomplished and data saturation was reached.
Moreover, the target participants of  this study were as 
follows: 

(1) Senior citizens aged 60 years old and above, 
(2) Those who live in the disaster-prone area 
(3) Those whose income falls below the poverty 

threshold, and 
(4) Should be able to give his/her own perspectives 

without the guidance of  others. 
Participants who were excluded from the study are adults 
aged 59 and below, senior citizens who do not live in 
the specified disaster-prone area, and whose income is 
above the poverty threshold. Participants had the right to 
withdraw before or after the conduct of  data collection. 
Upon his/her withdrawal, the participants should inform 
the researchers and he/she may or may not provide the 
reason for the withdrawal from the study. Finally, based 
on the inclusion criteria, a total of  11 senior citizens were 
included in the study (4 male and 7 female) ranging from 
61 to 78 years of  age and monthly income ranging from 
below 1000 pesos and not exceeding 8000 pesos.

Table 1:  Profile of  the Participants based on the inclusion criteria
Code Name Gender Age Monthly Income Location
Participant 1 Female 63 None Soong, Digos City
Participant 2 Male 73 P2000 Soong, Digos City
Participant 3 Female 78 P5000 Soong, Digos City
Participant 4 Female 66 P8000 Soong, Digos City
Participant 5 Male 68 P8000 Soong, Digos City
Participant 6 Female 65 P5000 Soong, Digos City
Participant 7 Male 61 None Soong, Digos City
Participant 8 Male 64 P3000 Soong, Digos City
Participant 9 Female 64 P5000 Soong, Digos City
Participant 10 Female 64 P2000 Soong, Digos City
Participant 11 Female 64 Below P1000 Soong, Digos City

Instrument
The researchers utilized an in-depth interview in 
gathering the necessary data. Furthermore, the research 
instruments that were used in this study are as follows; 
(a) the researchers - the main instrument of  the study, 
(b) validated interview guide, (c) recorder, (d) notebooks, 
(e) pen, and (f) consent forms. According to Myburgh 
and Poggenpoel (2003), the researcher is the key person 
in obtaining the data from the participants in qualitative 
research. Thus, the main instrument that was utilized 
throughout the course of  data gathering was the 
researchers. Furthermore, the researchers formulated 
validated interview guides to collect data from the 
participants; however, during the interview process, 
the interviewer may add or modify some questions if  
necessary. In addition, the rest of  the instruments were 
utilized to ensure that the responses were recorded and 
transcribed properly to identify key ideas, phrases, and 
themes. According to Tessier (2012), in the conduct of  

an interview, choices on how to document the data are 
made, and one usually uses tools such as field notes, a 
recording device, or both. Lastly, consent forms were also 
used to gain the participants’ permission, and they were 
guaranteed that all of  the responses gathered from them 
were kept and treated with utmost confidentiality and 
anonymity by the researchers. 

Design and Procedure
This study utilized phenomenology - qualitative research 
design. According to Creswell (2009), phenomenology 
is a research design wherein the researchers identify 
the core of  human experiences that pertain to a 
certain phenomenon as described and narrated by the 
participants. Furthermore, this study mainly focuses on 
understanding the participants’ experiences with regard 
to the various forms of  disasters they’ve experienced, 
with the earthquake and landslides as the most recent 
phenomenon. As such, this research design is utilized to 



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properly show the significant lived understanding based 
on how they are perceived by the individuals involved in 
the phenomenon (Lester 2014).
In gathering the data, the following steps were observed 
in the process to obtain the appropriate data. First, 
the researchers formulated a set of  research interview 
questions to obtain the appropriate data needed for 
the research from the participants, which were checked 
and validated by experts. Second, before gathering data, 
the researchers submitted a letter of  permission to the 
UM Digos College to conduct an interview outside the 
institution’s premises. Third, the researchers looked 
for willing participants who fit in the inclusion criteria. 
Fourth, the participants were asked to sign an informed 
consent form to ensure that they were willing to 
participate in observing ethical goods and regulations for 
the subject’s research. The fifth step was to conduct an in-
depth interview in a quiet and comfortable room for each 
participant, depending on their availability, to gather the 
necessary data for the study. Lastly, the qualitative data, 
which is in the form of  responses and narratives from 
the participants, were analyzed using Colaizzi’s thematic 
analysis method. This method was used to identify the 
underlying themes from the data and was utilized to 
clarify the study’s qualitative result.
Colaizzi’s seven steps for data analysis method were used 
in this study. The following steps, as cited by Sanders 
(2003) and Speziale and Carpenter (2007), are as follows: 
The first step was to get a feel of  the entire content, where 
each transcript was read several times. Second, significant 
sentences relating to the phenomenon being studied 
were removed from each transcript. Third, deducing 
meanings from these important utterances was done. 
Fourth is sorting the stated meanings into categories 
and theme clusters. Fifth, the study conclusions were 
included in a thorough description of  the phenomenon 
being investigated. It is also necessary to characterize the 
phenomenon’s basic structure. Then, the phenomenon’s 
basic structure was articulated. Lastly, to match the 
researcher’s descriptive results, with the research’s 
participant’s experiences, validation of  the findings was 
requested from them.

Ethical Considerations
The researchers adhered to comprehensive ethical 
guidelines in conducting the study. This involved following 
the study protocol assessments and standardized criteria, 
specifically in handling the population and data such as, 
but not limited to:

Voluntary Participation
All participants were allowed to freely choose their 
participation without facing any consequences. Hence, 
once the purpose and benefits of  the study were 
communicated to the participants, their rights to 
contribute to the study were thoughtfully taken into 
account and respected. Individuals who decided not 
to take part in the study for any reason were given the 

option to withdraw at any time, and their involvement 
was discontinued without any negative consequences. 

Privacy and Confidentiality
The personal and/or professional information of  the 
participants, which may have been necessary for the study, 
was treated with strict confidentiality. The researchers 
took measures to ensure that the participants’ data 
remained private and protected, preventing its disclosure 
to unauthorized individuals or entities outside of  the 
research setting. 

Informed Consent Process
The research questionnaires provided in Appendix 
G were designed in a manner that avoided the use of  
technical terms, ensuring they were easily comprehensible 
to the participants. Additionally, no questionnaire was 
administered to any participant without obtaining 
permission first from the authorized command channels 
and the individuals themselves. Furthermore, the 
questionnaires prompted participants to confirm that 
they had been informed about the study’s benefits and 
potential consequences, as outlined in the Informed 
Consent Form. 

Risks
The researchers addressed the risk by conducting the 
survey through in-depth interviews utilizing the same 
design and structure validated by experts.

Plagiarism
The study maintained a strict policy against plagiarism, 
ensuring that no content or ideas were presented as 
original when they were not. Grammarly, which is an 
editing platform was utilized to ensure grammatical 
accuracy and enable the researchers to express ideas in 
his/her own words, drawing from various academic 
resources. Additionally, Turnitin was employed to 
monitor the similarity index and ensure the integrity of  
the study’s content. 

Deceit
The study took precautions to prevent any potential harm 
arising from the data provided by the participants. The 
researchers conducted the study with integrity, refraining 
from any deceptive practices or misleading tactics toward 
the participants. Ethical concerns and undesirable 
feedback were proactively managed by appropriately 
addressing relevant provisions.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Experiences of  Senior Citizens in Any Form of  Disaster
The image below demonstrates the experiences of  senior 
citizens during any form of  disaster. Based on the data 
gathered, Disaster-related challenges were generated 
as the emergent theme based on the emergence of  the 
cluster themes, namely: Emotional distress, Tangible 
damage, Health-related issues, and financial hardship. 



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In the context of  this study, Disaster-related challenges 
refer to the various difficulties resulting from any form 
of  disaster. It is the difficulties covering multiple areas of  
life including emotional 

(how we feel), financial (sources of  income), physical 
(state of  our well-being), and external: (impairment of  
houses and buildings).
Disaster is a phenomenon that results in great damage 

Figure 1: Disaster-Related Challenges Experienced by Senior Citizens in the Wake of  Disasters

to properties and challenges to humans. In terms 
of  Emotional distress, this is the range of  negative 
emotions that can sufficiently disrupt the normal life 
patterns of  an individual (e.g sleeping patterns) due 
to fear that something bad might occur. According to 
Maslach and Leiter (2016), emotional distress refers to 
a wide range of  negative affective responses, including 
feelings of  anxiety such as fear, nervousness, fear, etc. 
This collection of  intense and fearful emotions resulted 
from the emotional toll that the effects of  a disaster have 
caused (Smith & Seagal, 2015). In relation to, (Parker et 
al. 2016) also noted that disasters elevate the likelihood 
of  vulnerability towards emotional trauma among older 
adults. Furthermore, Magee and Carmin (2010) stated 
that these negative emotions of  emotional distress 
further increase the risk of  sleep disturbances among 
older adults. According to Bui et al. (2020), large-scale 
disasters present stressors that affect the emotional well-
being of  vulnerable individuals, including the elderly. As 
such, based on the participants’ perception, the factors 
that constitute the emotional distress they experience 
are emotions of  fear, nervousness, trauma, and sleeping 
difficulty. Participants experienced being scared because 
of  the possibility that something bad might happen to 
them.
Participant 1 mentioned that;
“First is the earthquake. And we were so scared because 
our house might fall on us.)” [line 66] 
Participant 10 added that;
“ The rain was very heavy, then the storm.  Sometimes.... 
I just get scared as to what will happen to us at home.” 
[line 52]
In addition, nervousness is another contributor to 
emotional distress. Participants experienced nervousness 

because of  the idea that their house would get destroyed. 
Participant 11 even mentioned that;
“ My body is shaking, I’m nervous.  I was just nervous 
inside the house because I thought our house would be 
destroyed.” [line 80]
In addition, trauma is another contributor of  emotional 
distress. Participant experienced trauma because of  the 
feeling that no matter where they go, they are unsafe.
Participant 7 even mentioned that;
“ Oh, it were traumatizing.  No matter where you run...
During those time, we’re really looking for an open space.  
That we will never be stuck.  We will definitely leave our 
house.”,[line 65]
In addition, sleeping difficulty is another contributor 
of  emotional distress. Participant experienced sleeping 
difficulty because of  the fear of  getting trapped inside 
their house.
Participant 1 even mentioned that;
“ And during sleeping time, I also get scared to sleep 
because I might get trapped inside our house.” [line 89]
Participant 3 added that;
“ In terms of  how we sleep, it was very difficult! We sleep 
at the side of  the road! There, we slept at the side of  the 
road. We can’t even stay inside our house because we’re 
too afraid.” [line 108]
Meanwhile, financial hardship is another challenge 
experienced by senior citizens in the wake of  a disaster. 
Financial hardship refers to the inability to obtain funds 
due to the loss of  sources of  income, particularly 
livelihood. According to Mirowsky and Ross (2001), 
financial hardship results from the difficulty in meeting 
the basic necessities of  life due to insufficient financial 
resources. Furthermore, the lack of  economic resources 
during disasters reduces access to basic necessities such 



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as food, health care, and personal security (Bui et al. 
2020). Morrow-Howell et al. (2020) stated that financial 
challenges are experienced more severely by older adults 
compared to younger adults since they have less access to 
resources that could otherwise help them recover from 
financial setbacks. Jachimowicz et al. (2020) further stated 
that individuals with less income resources experience 
increased financial hardship associated with higher 
levels of  economic inequality. Based on the participant’s 
perception, the factors contributing to their financial 
hardship are the loss and lack of  income.
Participants experience a loss of  income due to the 
inability to obtain money brought upon by disasters.
Participant 1 even mentioned that; 
“Second is when the Covid came, and we cannot go 
outside, I also can’t sell so it was hard, it was difficult for 
me where to find my expenses. Since even my kids aren’t 
allow to sell, to roam around because of  Covid.“ [line 68]
Participant 5 added that;
“ We were affected that time because we lost our income. 
You aren’t able to obtain income since you cannot sideline 
for the students.” [line 62]
In addition, lack of  income is another contributor of  
financial hardship. Participants experience lack of  income 
as a result of  their difficulty finding enough finances since 
their livelihood was affected by disaster.
Participant 4 even mentioned that;
“Our livelihood, that is [affected],Our income was very 
low.” [line 60]
On the other hand, health-related issues pertain to an 
individual’s issues mainly due to physical ailments and body 
movement difficulties that render their proper movement. 
According to Indiana University Health (2016), health-
related issues pertain to any physical, emotional, and 
mental condition that can hurt an individual’s capability 
to perform safely and competently. Garcia et al. (2020) 
emphasized that the greater need of  elderly people for 
healthcare increases their vulnerability. Furthermore, 
according to Greiner et al., (2016), the elderly experience 
physical challenges due to chronic illnesses or health 
problems they have which require thorough treatment. In 
addition, less mobility combined with hindering support 
altogether increases their susceptibility to risks. As such, 
based on the participant’s perception, the factors that 
contribute to the health-related issues they experience are 
health problems and body mobility issues.
Participants experience health problem because of  poor 
health conditions. 
Participant 2 even mentioned that;
“I haven’t even gone in our little area there at the top 
because I was recently hospitalized due to my body where 
I always collapse. It only happened to me recently, during 
this year. I always faint, I fainted seven times here. Every 
day I check my blood pressure.“ [line 132]
In addition, body mobility issues is another contributor 
of  health related issues. Participants experience body 
mobility issues as an effect of  difficulty moving during 
disaster thus, rendering them the need of  assistance or 

support from others.
Participant 6 even mentioned that;
“It already happened that I fell down during earthquake 
and then I was standing there....my clothes got really 
dirty... it was so dirty from where I fell.  They just look at 
me and then I go to the store because that’s where I hold, 
it’s really hard… “ [line 150]
Lastly, tangible damages are the physical damages caused 
by disasters as seen through the destruction of  crops and 
houses. According to Veldhuis (2011), tangible damages 
refer to material damages to structures, including 
buildings and properties. Moreover, Rajeev (2016) 
identified the loss of  household and livelihood assets as 
one of  the key challenges experienced by the elderly due 
to disasters. In addition, the limited availability of  safe 
drinking water and damage to sanitation facilities threaten 
the well-being and survival of  the affected individuals 
(Khurshed and Habibur, 2019). These external challenges 
result from direct losses caused by the destruction of  
infrastructures, including floods, heavy rains, high winds, 
or ground shaking (UNDDR, 2023). As such, based on 
the participant’s perception, the factors that contribute to 
tangible damages are: house damage, crop/plant damage, 
and unclean water. 
Participants experience house damages due to the effects 
brought by disasters like strong winds and earthquakes. 
Participant 8 even mentioned that; 
“Yes, strong winds, our roof  is sometimes blown away.  
This roof  will then leak.  It will be flowing because of  the 
intensity of  the wind“ [line 64]
Participant 9 also added that;
“ That’s why the [house] collapsed, but I haven’t touched 
it, until now it’s still there, and I still live in it.” [line 87]
In addition, plant damage is another contributor to 
tangible damage. Participants experience plant damage 
through their crops being washed away due to the 
intensity of  the rain and landslide.
Participant 8 even mentioned that;
“ A lot of  our plants were damaged.  Corn, abacca plant, 
so much was damaged.” [line 71]
Participant 10 added that;
“ The taro and banana plants. It was washed away. Those 
plants of  ours, sometimes we can’t eat them anymore, we 
can’t take them anymore because they all fell down.” [line 
74]
Participant 11 also stated that;
“ There’s a lot of  damaged.  Plants were damaged due to 
the intensity of  the rain.” [line 39]
In addition, unclean water is another contributor to 
tangible damages. Participants experience unclean water, 
resulting in them boiling it first before drinking or 
rendering them unable to bath since it has become dirty 
after experiencing disaster.
Participant 8 even mentioned that;
“ Ah, there is no way to bathe as long as the water is dirty. 
We just wait for it to clear.” [line 94]
Participant 10 also added that;
“ Sometimes there is no water, sometimes we only drink 



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water from that pipe, we just boil it.” [line 34]
As seen through the lens of  the participants’ experiences, 
disaster-related challenges indeed encompass a wide 
range of  difficulties that arise in the aftermath of  any 
disaster. These challenges can impact multiple aspects 
of  an individual’s life, including emotional well-being, 
financial stability, physical health, and even external 
circumstances such as property damage. This is further 
supported by Rajeev (2016), who identified the common 
challenges that the elderly face during disasters, such 
as emotional concerns, financial issues, health issues, 
and physical issues. Overall, disaster-related challenges 
involve the hardships and obstacles that individuals face 
across various domains of  their lives following a disaster. 

Preparatory Mechanisms of  Senior Citizens in Any 
Form of  Disaster
The image below demonstrates senior citizens’ 
preparatory mechanisms in any disaster. Based on 
the data gathered, Life security was generated as the 
emergent theme based on the emergence of  the cluster 
themes: prioritizing basic needs, safety measures, financial 
security, and being attentive. In the context of  this study, 
Life security refers to the set of  preparations and actions 
taken to ensure safety and well-being by reducing the 
risks that any disaster can cause.

survive disasters (Jordan,2015).In relation to, based on 
the participant’s perception, the factors that constitute 
prioritizing basic needs are prioritizing food and clothing 
as well as securing a flashlight. Participants experienced 
prioritizing food and clothing through preparing essential 
items in advance.
Participant 1 even mentioned that;
“ Yes, and then I put a few clothes in my bag. So that if  
I evacuate, I would be able to bring something. I also put 
my medicines and the things I need like rubbing alcohol.” 
[line 207]
Participant 3 added that;
“ Yes, we prepare things in advance. We put everything 
inside our bag. Such as rice, sugar, we put everything to be 
ready. So that whatever happens, we’re already prepared. 
We evacuate and have something with us.” [line 168]
Participant 6 also added that;
“ In fridge, it is important that you have food.  You 
have rice, you have something to eat.  Because during 
earthquake we cannot go out easily.”  [line 120]
Participant 7 also added that;
“ Let’s just get ready, what’s important to us is, take care 
of  ourself, prepare what we’re going to bring when we 
evacuate.  We have portable clothes, food.  What are the 
laws of  the government, we will follow them.” [line 168]
Participant 10 also added that;
“I prepare everything. Sometimes I put clothes in the bag, 
also money.” [line 110]
In addition, securing flashlight is another contributor of  
prioritizing basic needs. Participants experienced securing 
flashlight to ensure having a source of  light during night 
time. 
Participant 8 even mentioned that;
“ Sometimes I make sure to always have a spot (flashlight).  
Because at night, if  there is a strong wind, or there is an 
earthquake you will have something to use.” (participant 
8, line 137-138)
Meanwhile, safety measures are the precautions to 
protect one from being harmed. According to Aldandani 
(2010), safety measures are a collection of  accepted 
practices and techniques to guarantee the protection of  
life and property before an incident. The foundation of  
safety measures is awareness and readiness in times of  
disaster. Being competent during times of  disaster makes 
an individual prepared (Olores et al., 2023). Avoiding 
dangerous areas before evacuation, securing potential risks 
such as checking fragile items within the household, and 
making reinforcements to prevent damages were further 
identified to help ensure safety (Kansai Transmission and 
Distribution, 2020). In addition, the practice of  staying 
indoors or within a designated safe area during disasters is 
proven to enable an individual to ensure his or her safety 
(Paveglio et al., 2008, as cited by Siam et al., 2022). Senior 
citizens, in particular, might find it hard to evacuate and 
therefore decide to stay and defend inside their homes 
(Lach et. Al, 2005, as cited by Cho, 2019). Hence, seeking 
shelter is also a critical part of  disaster responses and is 
crucial for the safety of  disaster victims (Ekaputra et al., 

Figure 2: Life Security as an Emerging theme of  Prep-
aratory Mechanisms as Perceived by Senior Citizens in 
the Wake of  Any Form of  Disaster

Preparatory mechanisms are essential for survival in the 
wake of  any form of  disaster. In line with this, prioritizing 
basic needs means preparing the most essential needs, 
such as food and clothes, that must be prepared in 
advance to survive disasters. According to Chiappero-
Martinetti (2014), to meet the fundamental needs in life, 
it is necessary to prioritize basic commodities, including 
food, clothing, and shelter. Furthermore, the Red 
Cross (2023) identified the essential items that must be 
prioritized in the wake of  disaster. These items include 
food, a flashlight, medications, sanitation, and personal 
hygiene items. These essential items in particular are 
the most basic needs that individuals must attend to to 



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2022).  Based on the participants’ perception, the factors 
contributing to safety measures are avoiding dangerous 
areas, staying indoors, securing potential risks, and 
installing tents for temporary shelter.
Participants experienced avoiding dangerous areas by 
looking for places that are safe. 
Participant 1 even mentioned that;
“ I look for places where nothing could fall on me. I 
look for places where there are post, I look at where the 
earthquake would go, and I also avoid post as well as my 
neighbour’s fences.” [line 226]
In addition, staying indoors is another contributor to 
safety measures. Participants experienced staying indoor 
by making sure not to go outside in times of  disaster. 
Participant 2 even mentioned that;
“ Yes. Which is why here in our house, that’s what we do. 
If  there is a disaster, we make sure not to go outside.” 
[line 173]
Participant 5 also added that;
“ Of  course, we would just stay here inside the house and 
listen to the passage of  events. You just have to make sure 
not to be rattled.” [line 143]
In addition, securing potential risks is another contributor 
of  safety measures. Participants experienced securing 
potential risks by means of  tying down fragile items to 
prevent the risk of  it from falling unto them. 
Participant 4 even mentioned that;
“ Oh yes, only the TV. Well not really, we only tied the TV, 
even until now, its still tied down.” [line 178]
Participant 6 also added that;
“ It’s in the cabinet, but is it tied so that it doesn’t fall, we 
put wires to prevent them from falling, like those broken 
glasses, plates, or whatever.) [line 129]
In addition, installing tents is another contributor of  safety 
measures. Participants experienced installing tents for them 
to have a temporary shelter and avoid being trapped. 
Participant 4 even mentioned that;
“We just installed a tent right there. Yes, right here. There 
were no people in their rooms because they still have to 
run, so that if  there would be an earthquake, they would 
be outside straight away.” [line 194]
Financial security, on the other hand, means securing 
money regardless of  the amount for it to be utilized 
when needed and for preparation for future events. 
Furthermore, Horton (2022) defined financial security 
as having enough money to cover expenses, financial 
setbacks, or future happenings properly. Generally, 
finance is one of  the key determinants of  the capacity 
of  households to deal with disasters (Lauren et al., 2020). 
Consequently, effective financial planning and adherence 
to financial plans are some of  the most important 
practices to alleviate hardships (Mekonen et al., 2022). 
Moreover, Coburn et al. (1994) as cited by Sowman and 
Raemaekers  (2018), further emphasized that it is ensured 
that a level of  protection is developed by encouraging 
people to protect themselves through financial insurance. 
As such, based on the participant’s perception, the factor 
that constitutes financial security is having savings. 

Participants experienced having savings for them to have 
access to something when the need arises.
Participant 6 even mentioned that;
“ Yes we should have a little savings so that we have 
something to use when needed.”,[line 157]
Participant 8 added that;
“ Take a little money. Have a little money so that if  
something happens, you have savings that you can use.” 
[line 120]
Participant 11 also added that;
“I’ll save a little amount of  money around 100 or 50 
pesos.” [line 127]
Finally, being attentive is about paying attention and 
being updated of  the current happenings related to 
the environment by means of  information received 
from authorities. According to Arvidson (2006), being 
attentive or paying attention is a direct observation of  
the environment. In particular, the Red Cross (2023) 
emphasized listening to television or radio for instructions 
coming from the authorities as a mechanism to stay safe 
in the wake of  disasters. Garai (2018) further emphasized 
that radio and television are important mass-media outlets 
to learn about the upcoming hazards of  disasters. Based 
on the participant’s perception, the factors that constitute 
being attentive are listening to the radio, listening to 
authority, and watching the news on television.
Participants listened to the radio so that they could 
prepare for the upcoming disaster.
Participant 11 even mentioned that;
“ (I’ll listen news from the radio. So that we can 
prepare.)”[line 119]
In addition, listening to the authority is another 
contributor of  being attentive. Participants experienced 
listening to the authority by being aware of  the warnings 
that are being implemented.
Participant 7 even mentioned that;
“ The only thing we can do is listen to the warning.  Let’s 
listen to what the law is, because there is already a report 
so we can know.” [line 137]
In addition, watching the news is another contributor of  
being attentive. Participants experienced watching the 
news because they wanted to know what would happen 
for them to be prepared.
Participant 8 even mentioned that;
“I sometimes watch the news. Because I want to know 
what is happening.  That there is an earthquake coming, it 
will be known on television.” [line 141;152]
Participant 11 also added that;
“I watch news, just like whenever there’s a news that 
strong winds are coming, the TV would tell us to prepare.” 
[ line 156]
Throughout history, humanity has faced disasters and 
crises as an inherent part of  the human experience. While 
these events may be unpredictable, significant actions 
can be taken in advance to mitigate the potential damage 
and reduce the threat they pose. (Sibanda et. al, 2022). 
Through the lens of  the senior citizens’ actions, it can 
be seen that life security encompasses comprehensive 



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measures and proactive steps that are taken to safeguard 
the overall safety and well-being of  individuals to mitigate 
the risks posed by any disaster. It involves a range of  
preparations and actions aimed at minimizing potential 
harm and adverse impacts that may arise. Life security 
aims to enhance resilience and promote the overall 
security and well-being of  a person and community as 
a whole. Moreover, with the application of  life security, 
the potential damages that can be brought by natural 
disasters such as earthquakes, storms, or floods could be 
significantly reduced through implementing preventive 
measures (UNDP, 2023). In addition, According to 
Loke et al. (2012), the senior citizen’s perception and 
preparedness for disasters will be able to lessen damage 
to their well-being and the imposing threats to their lives 
during disaster.

Relationship of  Life Security and Disaster-Related 
Challenges as Perceived by Senior Citizens
As perceived by senior citizens, the results have shown 
that in the context of  disaster preparedness, the two 
emergent themes demonstrate a relationship with one 
another. That is to say that life security is interrelated with 
the disaster challenges experienced by senior citizens. 
Specifically, if  life security increases, then the disaster-
related challenges decrease and vice versa. Some variables 

compose disaster-related challenges and life security, each 
influencing one another.
First, regarding disaster-related challenges in financial 
hardship, the more actions you take to secure your finances, 
such as through saving, the lesser the chances of  financial 
shortages. Further suggests that an individual’s financial 
behaviors can positively affect their financial well-being 
(Brugeen et al., 2017; Rahman et al., 2021).  Second, in 
terms of  tangible damages, one can be protected from the 
possible risks and potential tangible damages by strongly 
adhering to the safety measures. This implies that through 
understanding and managing the risks, major disaster 
losses can be avoided (UNDDR, 2023). Third, in terms 
of  Health-related issues, one must be provided with basic 
needs such as medicines, nutritious foods, and proper 
shelter to lessen the risk of  aggravating diseases. As such, 
difficulty in meeting an individual’s basic needs negatively 
impacts his/her well-being (Chou & Chi, 2002; Western 
& Tomaszewski, 2016). Finally,in terms of  emotional 
distress, to minimize emotional distress, one must become 
attentive and aware of  the current happenings within 
their surroundings, resulting in appropriate planning and 
management decisions.  According to Srivastava (2010), 
the psychological distress caused by disasters can either 
be increased or decreased by planning and management 
decisions, which also enhances or slows recovery.

Figure 3: Relationship of  Life Security and Disaster-Related Challenges as Perceived by Senior Citizens

Thus, the preparations and actions taken for life security 
must be able to balance the potential effects of  disaster-
related challenges to maintain the safety and well-being 
of  senior citizens in any disaster. Considering that senior 
citizens are part of  the most vulnerable group, they are 
disproportionately subjected to the challenges brought 
by any disaster, be it emotional, physical, financial, or 
external. Therefore, taking action to prepare and reduce 
the potential risks brought by any disaster results in 

lessening the challenges related to the disaster. This is in 
accordance with Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems 
theory, which emphasizes how an individual can achieve 
balance with their environment or, on the contrary, 
how they sometimes fail to achieve balance caused by 
the influences on their environment (Zastrow, 2010, as 
cited by Shokane, 2019). It supports the idea that life 
security measures, which encompass various systems and 
levels of  influence, can lessen disaster-related challenges. 



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It highlights the importance of  considering the 
interconnectedness of  individuals and their environment 
in preparing and responding to disasters, which ultimately 
promotes safety, well-being, and resilience.

Summary
This study explored the lived experiences of  senior 
citizens in any form of  disaster and their corresponding 
preparatory mechanisms. The study’s findings revealed 
that senior citizens are disproportionately affected by 
disasters’ consequences. It was shown in the experiences 
of  seniors that they are greatly subjected to challenges 
that are related to emotional distress and tangible 
damages. Furthermore, in the wake of  disaster, their 
most common preparatory mechanism to combat the 
challenges includes avoiding dangerous areas, securing 
potential risks, staying indoors, and installing tents. This 
study also found that there is a relationship between 
life security and disaster-related challenges as perceived 
by senior citizens. Both of  them influence one another 
wherein if  life security increases, then the disaster-
related challenges decrease and vice versa. This is further 
supported by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems 
theory, which highlights the importance of  considering the 
interconnectedness of  individuals and their environment 
in preparing and responding to disasters, which ultimately 
promotes safety, well-being, and resilience.

CONCLUSION
The findings of  this study have several implications, 
specifically for the community, policymakers, and 
researchers. First of  all, the results have shown that senior 
citizens experience difficulty in combating disasters due 
to the following disaster-related challenges they encounter 
in the wake of  disaster: emotional distress, health-
related issues, financial hardship, and tangible damages. 
Therefore, disaster preparations need to be strengthened 
and ensure that the interests of  elderly people would be 
integrated into community disaster planning and response 
mechanisms. Policymakers should allocate resources 
specifically for them, promote inclusive disaster planning 
and collaborate with the community to ensure effective 
implementation. Finally, additional research is required 
for the evaluation and assessment of  existing policies in 
order to address the evolving needs of  senior citizens in 
disaster situations.

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