Background and objectives <p>Older adults are disproportionately affected by nature-induced and human-made disasters. Media can support preparedness by disseminating timely guidance, but high-intensity exposure to distressing coverage and misinformation can also increase anxiety and impede action. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on relationships among crisis media exposure, cognitive appraisal, preparedness behaviors, emotional responses, and resilience in older adults, and it outlines actionable, age-tailored risk-communication strategies.</p> Research design and methods <p>We conducted a narrative review and reported it with reference to the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar were searched for English-language sources published from January 2000 through July 2025. Google Scholar was searched separately using simplified keyword strings and relevance-ranked screening. Targeted searches of UN/international agencies and selected national public-health and older-adult preparedness guidance sources complemented database searching. An a priori operational screening ceiling of 5,000 unique records was used for title/abstract screening; screening proceeded in relevance-ranked batches and no new eligible conceptual domains emerged in the final batches. In total, 120 full-text sources were assessed and 36 sources were included in the thematic synthesis (28 peer-reviewed studies and 8 guidelines/reports/other key sources).</p> Results <p>Across heterogeneous designs, evidence converges on three pathways. First, when information is delivered through trusted sources and paired with concrete, feasible steps, media exposure is associated with improved risk appraisal and preparedness actions, including emergency kits, medication buffers, and evacuation planning. Second, repeated or prolonged exposure to graphic or sensational crisis coverage is associated with higher stress and anxiety, including in indirectly exposed audiences, with evidence of a feedback loop in which distress drives further media consumption. Third, digital health literacy and misinformation management shape whether digital channels enable or obstruct preparedness and resilience.</p> Discussion and implications <p>Crisis communication for older adults should use multiple accessible channels (television/radio plus simple digital formats) and should deliberately support coping appraisal by emphasizing response efficacy and self-efficacy. Recommendations include: limiting “always-on” distressing coverage; using plain-language, stepwise guidance; leveraging trusted local messengers; and integrating rapid misinformation correction with practical support services. These strategies align preparedness goals with psychological resilience, reducing avoidable distress while maintaining situational awareness.</p>