Five Years Later: Resiliency Among Older Adult Survivors of Hurricane Katrina

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the resilience of older adult survivors of Hurricane Katrina in light of their traumatic experiences and multiple losses. Ten Mississippi Gulf Coast residents who have survived Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath were interviewed. The participants were 65 years old or older. Their responses were audiotaped and transcribed. The transcripts were analyzed using phenomenological methodology and NVivo 2.5 software. Three major themes emerged. Participants described finding personal gratification, realizing their ability to cope, and developing a new interest in life through their novel experiences.

Keywords:

• older adults
• elderly
• resilience
• Hurricane Katrina
• trauma
• qualitative study
• phenomenology
• natural disaster