Abstract
Heatwaves are dangerous natural disasters, with a history of significant impacts including
loss of life. Some groups are more vulnerable to a heatwave’s effects than others. Older adults
are one such vulnerable groups, historically older adults have fared worse than other
demographics during heatwaves (Hansen et al. 2011; Poumadère et al. 2003; Rikkert et al. 2009;
Basagana et al. 2011; Faunt et al. 1995). As the threat of heatwaves and the percentage of older
adults in society both grow, there is a growing need to better understand the perspectives of
older adults and relevant stakeholders in relation to heatwaves and to use this information in a
community-based approach to aid older adults and stakeholders, so they are better informed
and able to prepare, react and respond to heatwaves in a more appropriate and applicable
manner (Kim et al. 2020; Vu et al. 2019; Malmquist et al, 2022).
Through the literature review of this thesis, it is established that heatwaves will continue
to increase as a threat, as climate change is predicted to increase heatwaves intensity, duration,
and rate of occurrence (Sheridan and Allen, 2018; IPPC 2022). Previous heatwave impacts on
older adults were also reviewed, as were the various factors that alongside age exacerbate older
adult vulnerability to extreme heat, which include socioeconomic factors, general health and
mobility, location/living situation, their community, family, and friends. Furthermore, the
various stakeholder groups responsible for providing assistance and a formal response to any
heatwave were identified. The review drew upon multiple articles that utilized a community-based approach to data collection and informed the methods of this research.
The primary method used to conduct this research was semi-structured interviews. This
approach was selected as it allowed for a more open conversation with both older adults and
stakeholders. A number of themes were established when questioning older adults, and a
different schedule was used for key stakeholders (Longhurst, 2016; Whiting, 2008). A wide
range of diverse participants were selected to be interviewed. The main themes that emerged
from older adults centred on past experiences, reactions, and perspectives on heatwave,
knowledge transfer, and the role of community and stakeholder in a heatwave. Stakeholder
themes focused on their role, response, perspectives, and concerns on heatwaves.
The older adults shared a range of responses on a number of key themes. Older adults
discussed their own perspective on heatwaves, the actions they have taken in the past to mitigate
the impacts, and what information they felt they would know. Overall, the research found a
generally well-informed population. Older adults had strong opinions on what makes
knowledge transfer appropriate or inappropriate. The conversations discussed the role of
community in responding to a heatwave. The stakeholder role was also a major theme, with
older adults giving their suggestions, and perceptions of stakeholder and their potential
response.
The stakeholder groups also shared a range of responses on a number of key themes.
There was a mixed opinion from the stakeholders as to whether older adults were concerned
about potential heatwaves. When discussing the roles that stakeholders should play during a
heatwave, the focus was mainly on communication, raising awareness, and providing aid for
those in need. Overall, most stakeholder perspectives showed that they believed the geographic
region that this research focussed on, could be made more ready to face a heatwave.
The recommendations from this research focused on three key areas: raising awareness,
improving communication, and building trust. The recommendations around awareness
focussed on ensuring that older adults and stakeholders are aware of what constitutes a
heatwave, how they can be mitigated and what factors can further increase vulnerability. The
second theme of the recommendations centred around communication, with a focus on
establishing better methods for stakeholders to internally communicate, for stakeholders to
inform older adults about heatwaves, and for older adults to communicate their concerns and
perspectives back to the stakeholders. The third theme of the recommendations focused on trust,
and how stakeholders can gain the trust of older adults and have older adults trust that
stakeholders are operating with their best intentions in mind. Overall, these recommendations
present changes located in the geographic region in question, which could potentially result in
better-informed older adults and better-prepared stakeholders. In addition, the
recommendations highlighted a need for further research, by both stakeholder groups and
academics.