A nurse should anticipate the emotion of fear of loss of independence in an older person following a disaster, and be mindful of potential grief reactions as per Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief.
A nurse working with an older person following a disaster should anticipate the client experiencing a fear of loss of independence. This emotion is understandable, as the elderly are often concerned about their ability to take care of themselves, especially in the wake of a disaster that may have displaced them or disrupted their support systems. Additionally, situations like these can lead to emotional reactions of loss since they may have experienced the loss of loved ones, possessions, or their familiar environment, which can trigger the Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Understanding these emotions is crucial for providing appropriate emotional support and care to the elderly in such situations.