ABSTRACT
This reprinted chapter originally appeared in Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 2020, 63[6-7], 646-650. (The following of the original article appeared in record 2021-00510-019.) The pandemic has further exposed the lack of experience and resources for NHs to respond to Public Health Emergencies (PHE). In fact, during other outbreaks of infectious disease including SARS in 2003, H1N1 influenza virus in 2009, H7N9 bird flu in 2013, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2015, Ebola in 2018, and COVID-19 in 2020, densely populated settlements of older individuals at not only NHs but also long-term care institutions such as skilled nursing and assisted living institutions, have always been the most vulnerable. At this stage, it is time for us to seriously reflect on how to ensure that NHs can respond to and survive disasters, stress, or changes of the environment, that is, how to enhance our resilience to future health threats. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)