Disaster Mitigation for Elderly: The Challenges of Social Welfare Services for Elderly in The COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aims to determine the achievement of disaster mitigation in handling COVID-19 for the elderly through social welfare services. The elderly are the age group that has the highest risk of death due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This research is descriptive qualitative using in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. Respondents selected by purposive sampling included government agencies, elderly families, social workers, nursing homes, senior regional commissions, the Yogyakarta Province COVID-19 task force, and the elderly. The study found that disaster mitigation in handling COVID-19 for the elderly was not optimal in lesson learn of understanding and knowledge to the elderly. The result of an emergency response plan has not been responsive because there is no accurate database and systematic and integrative standard procedures in handling the COVID-19. Thus, the assisted early warning system is already running well because of the integrated coordination from the family, local government to the national level in the authority of the COVID-19 Task Force. The mobilization of resources needs has not been able for the particular needs of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic in several areas in Yogyakarta Province, especially for neglected elderly. Therefore, the findings of this study recommend optimizing each stage in disaster mitigation to minimizing the risk of death in the elderly effectively.