Literature Review

Los Angeles wildfires leave older patients vulnerable Direct Relief - California Wildfires; by Talya Meyers; 1/22/25 The radio announcer said nursing home residents were being evacuated to the Pasadena Convention Center, so Dr. Laura Mosqueda headed over. Older adults were arriving at the evacuation shelter with hair and hospital gowns covered in ash. People urgently needed to be on oxygen — in a large convention hall with few electrical outlets — or their catheters were getting full but responders didn’t have gloves. ... Some patients were in hospice and end-of-life care, and getting them placed more comfortably was an urgent priority. ... The wildfires that ripped across Southern California communities this month will hurt the health of millions — causing everything from short-term respiratory symptoms to long-term adverse outcomes from chronic disease — but older adults will likely be among the most vulnerable. ... [And with that,] Dr. Mosqueda cautioned that while older adults may be more likely to be medically fragile, many aren’t. Many have perspectives that help them navigate frightening, uncertain situations like the wildfires. “Older adults…were among the most calm and circumspect people I spoke with,” she recalled. “They just had a lot of wisdom and life experience, and they weren’t getting freaked out. They had so many internal resources.”

New Hampshire woman’s father dies in hospice care when California fires broke out CBS News WBZ, Boston, MA / YouTube; 1/15/25 Just two hours before the fire evacuation--Merle Fetter--Barbara's husband of 64 years died in Royal Oaks Hospice Care, with Barbara holding his hand until the end . … As the fire moved through Altadena towards Monrovia Barbara was forced to leave Merrill's body, unable to be evacuated. ... [Daughter in New Hampshire:]  “I didn't know where my mother was. I didn't know what happened to my father's body.” Barbara's daughter—Joy—thousands thousands of miles away in New Hampshire couldn't fly to Los Angeles until Friday. When she finally landed she received a reassuring call from Royal Oaks her mom was OK and her father's remains taken to the coroner's office. Staff feel like residents here are their family.

Doctors, nurses press ahead as wildfires strain L.A.’s healthcare Los Angeles Times, produced by KFF Health News; by Emily Alpert Reyes, Bernard J. Wolfson and Molly Castle Work; 1/10/25 The rapidly spreading wildfires are not only upending the lives of tens of thousands of Los Angeles County residents and business owners, but also stressing the region’s hospitals, health clinics, first responders and nursing homes. ... Amid the maelstrom, doctors, nurses and other caregivers did their jobs. ... “All hospitals in close proximity to the fires remain on high alert and are prepared to evacuate if conditions worsen,” the Hospital Assn. of Southern California said in a statement. “The fires are creating significant operational hurdles,” the association added. ... [From a nurse,] "In times like this, this is when community si the most powerful."

The Green Workforce Conversation with Neil Yeo: How sustainability shapes tomorrow All Work - Future of Work Podcast; by Frank Cottie; 12/10/24 In this episode of The Future of Work ® Podcast, we dive deep with Neil Yeoh, Founder & CEO of OnePointFive, a Forbes Next 1000-awarded Climate Advisory and Academy with a global network of 700+ sustainability professionals across 45 countries. ... Why This Matters:

Chaos and devastation: How the mountain fire erupted Ventura County Star, Ventura, CA; by Cheri Carlson and Tom Kisken; 11/17/24 ... The mountain fire that ignited 3 miles away was sweeping across Somis in a sprint accelerated by 80 mph Santa Ana winds that rattled the small ranches on their Ridgecrest Lane cul-de-sac. The fire soon leaped to the hills above Camarillo where it fed on more homes. It destroyed some 243 structures and threatened thousands more. In its first hours, the assault triggered roadside rescues, firefighters racing to get ahead of the flames and people scrambling to escape. ... It was lunch time at Bernadette’s, the residential care and hospice home at the bottom of Marissa Lane in Camarillo Heights. Four elderly residents, all in beds, had just started eating chicken nuggets and noodles. Sheriff’s deputies pounded on the door. Though smoke already filled the sky, a darker patch was coming. The home two lots away from the care center would soon burn to the ground. “It was like the apocalypse,” said Bernadette Abiera, the home's administrator. Deputies lifted the residents out of their beds and into wheelchairs. They rolled them down a hill to waiting squad cars. ...  The deputies ran back in to find two caregivers tending to a resident who was still eating his lunch. He wouldn’t stop. “I had to take the food out of his hands and carry him to the wheelchair,” said Deputy Justin Lopez. ... [Click on the title's link to continue reading.] 

Navigating the aftermath of natural disasters Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); by Lara McKinnis; 11/15/24 This morning I woke up to two bears outside, a little cub sitting on our front steps eating the pumpkin that my daughter recently carved, the mom nearby completely sprawled out lounging in the sun in a bed of freshly fallen yellow and orange oak leaves.  This is the “fall” that I look forward to every year in Asheville. I wanted to hold onto this feeling, all of us standing at our screened-in window talking to the bears as if they understood us, our dog enthusiastically joining in the conversation.  This feeling is alive and vibrant; however, so is the visceral awareness of the horrific despair that has engulfed my beloved community and so many communities in Western North Carolina. ...  Adjusting to a natural disaster is nuanced and layered.  [Click on the title's link to continue reading this hospice leader's reflections and professional guidance.]

Michigan HHS to pay $13M after unannounced shooter drill at psych hospital Becker's Hospital Review; by Mariah Taylor; 10/18/24The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services agreed to pay $13 million to settle allegations that it caused psychological damage after conducting a surprise active shooter drill at a children's psychiatric hospital, The Washington Post reported Oct. 17. The Hawthorn Center, based in Northville Township, Mich., is a state-run psychiatric hospital for children with emotional, mood and thought disorders. On Dec. 21, two laborers were instructed by their supervisor to act as armed intruders in an unannounced drill. The two were told to walk around the facility and ensure every room was locked and the people inside were hidden. The receptionist was instructed to announce that there were active shooters in the building and that shots were fired. Neither the staff nor the police were notified a drill was occurring. 911 calls reported the active shooter and 22 police officers rushed to the scene. The two laborers exited the building and were detained while the police sorted out the situation. Employees filed a class action lawsuit in April 2023 against the health department-run facility alleging that the unannounced drill gave them post-traumatic stress and emotional harm. According to the lawsuit, patients acted aggressively toward themselves and others in the subsequent weeks, and staff members experienced increased anxiety and sleep struggles, and some quit their jobs.