Institute on Aging Research Highlights Wildfire Preparedness Challenges in Oregon Assisted Living Communities

A new study led by Jacklyn Kohon, PhD and co-authored by Director of the PSU Institute of Aging and Professor at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Paula Carder, PhD, has been published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology. The study, “Where the Wildfires Are: Correlates of Disaster Preparedness Among Oregon Assisted Living Communities”, examines how assisted living communities across Oregon are preparing for increasingly frequent and complex wildfire emergencies.

Using geographic information systems (GIS) and data from a representative sample of 321 Oregon assisted living communities, the Institute of Aging research team found that facilities located in higher wildfire-risk areas were generally more confident in their preparedness efforts and more likely to have completed wildfire-related training and mitigation activities. At the same time, communities serving residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), as well as larger, nonprofit, and chain-affiliated facilities, reported lower confidence in their ability to engage residents and implement emergency response protocols.

The findings underscore the need for tailored disaster preparedness strategies that account for the unique characteristics of assisted living communities and the needs of older adults. As climate-related emergencies continue to affect Oregon, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare leaders, and long-term care providers working to strengthen resilience and better protect vulnerable populations. The study, funded by the Oregon Department of Human Services and co-led by Drs. Ozcan Tunalilar and Sarah Dys, reflects the Institute on Aging’s ongoing commitment to advancing research at the intersection of aging, health, and climate resilience.