Vulnerability and resilience of older adults (65+) in the 2021 Ahr Valley flood

Chen Song; F. Atun; J.I. Blanford; C. Anthonj

Abstract

Floods are known to cause immediate casualties and material damage, but they also have lasting impacts on the health of affected populations. According to the WHO Constitution, health encompasses not only physical but also mental and social dimensions[1]. While the physical health consequences of flooding among people have been extensively studied, the social and mental health impacts remain underexplored. Older adults represent a certain population group during disasters, and understanding the factors that exacerbate or mitigate their vulnerability is critical. This study examines the 2021 flood in Germany's Ahr Valley as a case study to investigate how such events affect the social and mental well-being of older individuals. Using a mixed-methods approach, comprising in-depth interviews, structured questionnaires, and group discussions, we explore the challenges, barriers, coping strategies, and sources of support that shaped their recovery experiences. Our findings highlight the need for more inclusive and socially responsive disaster preparedness and response that addresses the specific health dimensions of older adults in crisis contexts.

REFERENCES

1.WHO. (1946). Constitution. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - 23 Sept 2025
Event	15th International Conference of Integrated Disaster Risk Management Society : Advancing disaster risk reduction in islands and remote areas - Samos, Greece Duration: 29 Sept 2025 → 1 Oct 2025 Conference number: 15 https://idrim2025.com/

Conference

Conference	15th International Conference of Integrated Disaster Risk Management Society
Abbreviated title	IDRiM2025
Country/Territory	Greece
City	Samos
Period	29/09/25 → 1/10/25
Internet address	https://idrim2025.com/

Keywords

Flooding, Challenges, Resilience, Recovery, Health

Access to Document

https://idrim2025.com/book-of-abstracts/

Cite this

@conference{f6ddb76dae4e423892257920fd410d8c,

title = "Vulnerability and resilience of older adults (65+) in the 2021 Ahr Valley flood",

abstract = "Floods are known to cause immediate casualties and material damage, but they also have lasting impacts on the health of affected populations. According to the WHO Constitution, health encompasses not only physical but also mental and social dimensions[1]. While the physical health consequences of flooding among people have been extensively studied, the social and mental health impacts remain underexplored. Older adults represent a certain population group during disasters, and understanding the factors that exacerbate or mitigate their vulnerability is critical. This study examines the 2021 flood in Germany's Ahr Valley as a case study to investigate how such events affect the social and mental well-being of older individuals. Using a mixed-methods approach, comprising in-depth interviews, structured questionnaires, and group discussions, we explore the challenges, barriers, coping strategies, and sources of support that shaped their recovery experiences. Our findings highlight the need for more inclusive and socially responsive disaster preparedness and response that addresses the specific health dimensions of older adults in crisis contexts. REFERENCES 1.WHO. (1946). Constitution. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution ",

keywords = "Flooding, Challenges, Resilience, Recovery, Health",

author = "Chen Song and F. Atun and J.I. Blanford and C. Anthonj",

note = "Oral presentation; 15th International Conference of Integrated Disaster Risk Management Society : Advancing disaster risk reduction in islands and remote areas, IDRiM2025 ; Conference date: 29-09-2025 Through 01-10-2025",

year = "2025",

month = sep,

day = "23",

language = "English",

url = "https://idrim2025.com/",

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TY - CONF

T1 - Vulnerability and resilience of older adults (65+) in the 2021 Ahr Valley flood

AU - Song, Chen

AU - Atun, F.

AU - Blanford, J.I.

AU - Anthonj, C.

N1 - Conference code: 15

PY - 2025/9/23

Y1 - 2025/9/23

N2 - Floods are known to cause immediate casualties and material damage, but they also have lasting impacts on the health of affected populations. According to the WHO Constitution, health encompasses not only physical but also mental and social dimensions[1]. While the physical health consequences of flooding among people have been extensively studied, the social and mental health impacts remain underexplored. Older adults represent a certain population group during disasters, and understanding the factors that exacerbate or mitigate their vulnerability is critical. This study examines the 2021 flood in Germany's Ahr Valley as a case study to investigate how such events affect the social and mental well-being of older individuals. Using a mixed-methods approach, comprising in-depth interviews, structured questionnaires, and group discussions, we explore the challenges, barriers, coping strategies, and sources of support that shaped their recovery experiences. Our findings highlight the need for more inclusive and socially responsive disaster preparedness and response that addresses the specific health dimensions of older adults in crisis contexts. REFERENCES 1.WHO. (1946). Constitution. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution

AB - Floods are known to cause immediate casualties and material damage, but they also have lasting impacts on the health of affected populations. According to the WHO Constitution, health encompasses not only physical but also mental and social dimensions[1]. While the physical health consequences of flooding among people have been extensively studied, the social and mental health impacts remain underexplored. Older adults represent a certain population group during disasters, and understanding the factors that exacerbate or mitigate their vulnerability is critical. This study examines the 2021 flood in Germany's Ahr Valley as a case study to investigate how such events affect the social and mental well-being of older individuals. Using a mixed-methods approach, comprising in-depth interviews, structured questionnaires, and group discussions, we explore the challenges, barriers, coping strategies, and sources of support that shaped their recovery experiences. Our findings highlight the need for more inclusive and socially responsive disaster preparedness and response that addresses the specific health dimensions of older adults in crisis contexts. REFERENCES 1.WHO. (1946). Constitution. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution

KW - Flooding, Challenges, Resilience, Recovery, Health

M3 - Abstract

T2 - 15th International Conference of Integrated Disaster Risk Management Society

Y2 - 29 September 2025 through 1 October 2025