Disaster Management in the Elderly and the Role of Occupational Therapy

Older adults are more affected by physical frailty, chronic illness, and weak networks. This literature review discusses recent (2020–2025) research on disaster management for older adults and the functions of occupational therapy (OT) in the preparedness, response, recovery, and policy integration phases. OT aids in the restoration of disaster survivors’ functional independence, psychosocial resilience, and ability to reenter their communities. Unfortunately, the lack of inclusion in emergency response plans and ineffectual interprofessional education remain systemic barriers. This review calls for OT to be fully embedded in equitable and sustainable resilience aimed at older adults. Age-discriminatory disaster systems remain a reality.