How can older adults with mobility or vision impairments safely evacuate during an emergency? What medications or assistive devices would they need to bring with them to a shelter? How can emergency workers communicate the urgency of a situation to older adults with cognitive impairments?

A new training program has been helping first responders in some of Oregon’s rural communities answer those questions. The training was conducted by the Oregon Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program, which aims to increase access to age-friendly care in underserved areas.

Union County Emergency Manager Nick Vora participated in the training. He joins us, along with Laura Byerly, program director for the Oregon Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/09/17/think-out-loud-older-adults-emergency/