Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41903041›Full record

ArticleEuropean geriatric medicine2026

Effects of natural disasters on the cognitive state of older adults with dementia: a scoping review.

Christina Fahmy, Maria Nordheim Alme

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in European geriatric medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Christina FahmyDepartment for health and functioning, Western Norway University of Applied sciences, Post box 7030, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
Maria Nordheim AlmeDepartment for health and functioning, Western Norway University of Applied sciences, Post box 7030, 5020, Bergen, Norway. mana@hvl.no.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0469-771X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNatural disasters are disruptive events that can significantly affect the quality of life of older adults with dementia. The aim of this study is to review the effects of natural disasters on the cognitive capabilities of older adults with dementia.

methodsA scoping review methodology has been conducted to identify and summarize relevant literature on effects of natural disasters on the cognitive state of older adults with dementia or any other kind of cognitive impairment.

results28 studies were detected, and the majority of the studies came from Japan, Australia, and the USA. The studies revealed that natural disasters negatively impact the memory and thermal awareness of older adults with dementia. It can also intensify their psychological and behavioral symptoms of dementia, which indicate worsening of their cognitive decline. It is clear that the challenge posed by high temperatures requires careful consideration. Trained caregivers can effectively evacuate older adults with dementia, preventing the exacerbation of these symptoms. After evacuation, maintaining community connections and being socially active can aid in safeguarding older adults with dementia. Disaster response plans should, therefore, include strategies to preserve community ties. Caregivers play an important role in protecting older adults with dementia while facing natural disasters. Training is recommended to increase their disaster management skills.

conclusionsThe growing population of older adults with dementia faces heightened vulnerability during natural disasters, which can exacerbate cognitive decline and psychological symptoms. Community support and well-trained caregivers are essential to ensure their safety and well-being in crisis situations.

Indexed as

CognitionDementiaNatural DisastersAgedCaregiversDisaster PlanningHumansQuality of LifeCaregiversCognitive declineDementiaFloodNatural disasterOlder adults

Identifiers

PMID41903041
PMCPMC13309469

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.