A Guide to Hurricane Preparedness for Seniors

It’s always a good idea to plan ahead during hurricane season. Summer storms can form quickly and don’t leave you with much time to gather supplies. This is especially true if you live in a senior living community and rely on others for transportation. With a little planning and preparation, you can help keep yourself and other members of your household safe.  Hurricane season starts in June and peaks around August and September, but right now is always the best time to jump into action. Don’t let hurricane season catch you by surprise – keep reading for our guide to hurricane preparedness for seniors.

Assisted Living

The type of preparations you should make for hurricane season depend on your living situation. If you live in an assisted living facility, a number of these preparations may be done for you in advance.

Ask the staff at your residence about the preparations they have in place. We have equipped the assisted living facilities at Advent Christian Village with generators, emergency food and supplies. Even so, it’s smart to discuss any specific needs with the staff, such as dietary restrictions, so they can ensure that they have the supplies you need.

Independent Living

If you live in independent housing at an assisted living community, you may need to do a bit more prep work for hurricane season. Plan ahead to shop for emergency supplies, including:

• Flashlight and batteries
• A battery-operated radio
• First-aid supplies
• Hygiene items
• Non-perishable food items
• Bottled water

It’s also important to have an adequate supply of prescription medications on hand. You can store all these items together in an emergency kit that is ready to go when a storm arrives.

Talk to the staff at your assisted living community if you need special accommodations in the event of a power outage. Consider any medical devices that require electricity, or medications that need to be stored in the refrigerator.

Seeking Shelter

Even if you’ve gathered plenty of emergency supplies, sometimes it is necessary to evacuate the area. Be aware of any government guidelines and evacuation orders. You can do this by tuning in to the radio and staying in touch with staff. This will help you stay up to date on the current weather and what you need to do to stay safe.

Additionally, make a plan with the other members of your household so everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency. This should include information such as where to meet if you are separated. You may find it helpful to write down important contact information, such as phone numbers, that you normally store on your phone.

Emergency Shelter

Advent Christian Village provides an emergency shelter on campus for all residents who need it. This includes everyone, whether you are in assisted or independent living. We designed this plan for hurricane preparedness for seniors to make sure no member of our community is left without safe shelter. If you feel unsafe in your home, please reach out to our staff for assistance by calling 386-658-3333.

Be Prepared, Not Scared

Hurricane season can be intimidating but planning can save lives. Don’t wait until a storm is already brewing to consider what kinds of preparations you need to make. Having an emergency kit, tuning into local alerts and having an evacuation plan are all ways you can stay safe – and dry – this hurricane season.

This blog is not intended to replace safety guidelines provided by the State of Florida. For a more detailed and comprehensive guide to hurricane preparedness, please click here to read the 2022 guide provided by the Florida Office of the Attorney General.

Not a community member at Advent Christian Village but interested in learning more about all our community has to offer? Schedule a tour today – we’d love to speak with you.

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