ABSTRACT
In a special issue of the Journal of Gerontological Social Work on disaster preparedness, Kusmaul et al. explained that one role of gerontological social workers in disaster preparedness and response is to identify unique needs, risk factors, and strengths possessed by older adults during periods of disaster. This chapter describes how a developing study of ours strives to understand these characteristics as they pertain to the “oldest old” –that is, adults ages 85 and over – in the midst of the disaster spurred by the current global spread of COVID-19. It provides an online survey in mid-March and have continued to follow up with a longitudinal diary study. With many Lifestyle Leaders accustomed to some forms of social and physical distance already, life for many of them during the pandemic, especially those with more limited mobility, is largely business-as-usual.
