Where the Wildfires Are: Correlates of Disaster Preparedness Among Oregon Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living communities (ALs) serve a growing population of older adults with long-term care needs, especially those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias (ADRD), yet their capacity to prepare for hyper-complex climate-related disasters remains underexamined. Using geographic information systems (GIS), we mapped all licensed ALs with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s wildfire hazard scores, and then assessed organizational correlates of preparedness with a representative sample of Oregon ALs ( n = 321). ALs located in higher wildfire risk areas reported greater confidence in wildfire preparedness and were more likely to have received training and taken actions related to defensible space. However, communities serving residents with ADRD, as well as larger, nonprofit, and chain-affiliated ALs, expressed less confidence in engaging residents and implementing disaster protocols. These findings highlight important geographic and structural disparities in preparedness and underscore the need for tailored planning strategies that consider organizational characteristics and the increasing complexity of climate-related emergencies.