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Foreword
Victoria is facing a rapidly changing risk environment. Climate change, population ageing, and the increased frequency and severity of emergencies all require a reimagining of how we prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Older Victorians, who make up approximately 22% of Victoria’s population, bring deep resilience, knowledge and community leadership. Yet, as Victorian bushfires, heatwaves, storm events, floods and pandemics have shown, older people are still disproportionately affected by emergencies.
Emergencies do not impact all older people equally. Gender, culture, disability, sexuality, income, and language shape risk and resilience. When systemic design failures intersect with risk factors that are more prevalent among older populations, they actively produce vulnerability. Until evacuation procedures stop assuming physical mobility, cognitive function, and access to visual information; shelters address access and perceived safety gaps, cognitive, and mobility restrictions; and social isolation, family violence, and housing insecurity in later life are actively considered, it is likely this disparity will persist.
This Guideline responds to decades of evidence alongside lived experience, including insights from older Victorians, carers, local government, emergency services, health providers, and community organisations. It does so by reflecting the findings of a community engagement survey, face-to-face engagement, and research into national and international evidence, policy gaps, and areas of good practice.
Most importantly, it shifts the narrative. Older people are not only recipients of emergency assistance. They are leaders, decision-makers, carers, volunteers, cultural knowledge holders, and contributors to community resilience. We must build systems that recognise this.
COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria are proud to present this Older Age-Inclusive Emergency Preparedness Guideline to support those working in emergency management and community care. Its recommendations are practical, scalable, and grounded in best practice. Many are low-cost or cost-neutral, drawing on existing community strengths and networks. Others offer long-term pathways for systemic change.
Our shared goal is simple: To ensure that every older Victorian, regardless of postcode, culture, language, disability, income or housing status, can survive and recover from emergencies with dignity and care.
We thank all who contributed their expertise to this work, and we invite every council, emergency service agency, and community partner to join us in building a safer, fairer, and more age-inclusive Victoria.