How Assisted Living Communities Keep Residents Safe from Severe Weather

May 28, 2015 by ·

Assisted Living in Theodore AL

As we move through spring and head towards the summer months, severe weather becomes an increasingly important topic. Severe thunderstorms that can spawn tornadoes are prevalent across the Assisted Living in Theodore ALMidwest, Southeast, and even the eastern portion of the country. The Pacific region of the United States is much less prone to these severe weather conditions, but they have other issues to contend with, including wildfires, flooding, and heat waves.

For those elderly residents who live in an assisted living community, staying safe from severe weather is a top priority. However, many people pay less and less attention to the weather forecasts, especially when they have a feeling they will spend the majority of the time indoors.

At a quality assisted living community, residents are often encouraged to get outside and go for a stroll around the property, to go to the local mall, or to even garden, if that is available to them. Going outside when there is a risk of severe weather exposes those individuals to increased risk, sometimes even more than what a healthy, younger adult may be exposed to.

Why severe weather is so crucial for elderly individuals.

A severe thunderstorm can seem to pop up out of the blue on an exceedingly hot day. Not only would seniors need to drink plenty of water to stay properly hydrated, mostly because their body doesn’t regulate temperature as effectively or efficiently as it used to in their younger years, but they will likely move slower than a younger individual. This means if a severe thunderstorm forms all of a sudden, it can be much more challenging for an elderly individual to get to shelter in time.

Keep this in mind: the moment thunder is heard is the moment when lightning could possibly strike wherever the senior happens to be. There is a common misconception that you can count the number of seconds and estimate how far away the lightning happens to be. The truth is much more serious. Whenever thunder can be heard it can strike the person who hears it.

Assisted living communities often have numerous staff members on hand at any given time and most of them are acutely aware of the potential for severe weather. They pay attention to the forecast and may cancel or shorten outdoor activities to ensure that residents are safe. Once they have them inside the facility, they will be much safer and ready for the next excursion outdoors.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Theodore, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

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About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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