Mandating Emergency Management in Nursing Homes in the V4 Countries With the Support of the Public Administration—A Mapping Study

This paper considers the assessment of the benefits and needs of the position of crisis manager in homes for the elderly (nursing homes or NH) in the countries of the Visegrad Four (V4). It is essential to reinforce safety management at these facilities in view of the increasing vulnerability of the elderly resulting from demographic changes and the increased risk of disasters caused by both natural and anthropogenic factors. The paper analyses the situation at NH in Central European countries, where the establishment of the role of the manager for emergency situations is not currently mandated, although such a position contributes significantly towards protecting the lives and health of the elderly. The methodology of the paper includes an analysis of the existing crisis management frameworks at NH and an assessment of benefits of such a role on the basis of the data obtained and comparative studies. The aim is to offer an insight into the need for the position of crisis manager in connection with increasing the safety and resilience of homes for the elderly against various types of threats and, thereby, improving their ability to respond. The results of the mapping study are universal and serve as a basis for the revision of and possible changes to national guidelines relating to crisis management at NH in both the V4 states and elsewhere.