22 Mar 2004

Some elderly in American Samoa more fearful following Cyclone Heta

7:03 am on 22 March 2004

Councillors working in American Samoa following Cyclone Heta say the storm has made many elderly people more reliant on their relatives.

Assessement teams from the federal Crisis Counselling Programme say older residents who were self supporting and independent prior to the cyclone are now relying on other family members for their care.

The teams are reporting that some older parents and grandparents are showing signs of fear and anxiety whenever it rains, fearing that another cyclone could be approaching.