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As temperatures rise and summer storm season gets underway, nursing homes face some of the most critical emergency preparedness challenges in the health care industry. The residents in your care — many of whom rely on medical equipment, climate-controlled environments, and round-the-clock assistance — are among the most vulnerable when disaster strikes. From power outages during heat waves to rapid evacuations ahead of a hurricane, the stakes couldn't be higher. Now is the time for administrators, staff, and care teams to review and strengthen your facility's emergency protocols. 

Here are five essential resources to get you started.

1.  How Aging Infrastructure Threatens Senior Care Emergency Plan

Local infrastructure risks may include aging water systems, deteriorating roads, crumbling bridges, and outdated drainage networks, which could undermine even the most carefully developed emergency plans.

2.  Fire and Life Safety Strategies for Long Term Care Facilities

With an intentional, ongoing commitment to fire and life safety, facilities can overcome these challenges so they are better prepared should an emergency occur.

3.  Creating a Path to Emergency Preparedness

Don’t forget to plan for recovery and restoration. You need relationships with these types of organizations so you’re not scrambling later and end up working with companies who take advantage of your desperation and urgency.

4.  Emergency Preparedness in Long Term Care

In this podcast episode, Stan Szpytek discusses emergency preparedness in long term care facilities. He covers lesser-known situations that long term care facilities need to prepare for, creating an all-hazards plan, the importance of communication, training, and common challenges facilities have when implementing emergency plans. ​

5.  The Complexities of Assisted Living Fire Evacuation Planning

An assessment of the building design, staffing patterns, and fire protection features should be coupled with an ongoing risk assessment that considers the changing capabilities and needs of the residents.