• Behavioral Issues
• Child Care
• Cleaning Up After a Storm
• Communication
• Deciding To Stay Or Go
• Evacuation Shelters
• First Aid & Medical
• Flood Center
• Food and Water
• Help the Relief Effort
• Insurance Center
• Lighting & Power
• Pet Care
• Preparing Your Home
• Special Needs
• Storms Explained

Disaster Plans for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

A nursing home or assisted living facility should have a disaster preparedness plan already in place. By federal law, a nursing home is required to have an evacuation plan should a disaster occur. The facility’s disaster preparedness plan should be reviewed by employees, and employees should be trained in the procedures and drills. If you or a loved one live in a nursing home or an assisted living facility, here are some helpful questions that you can ask the facility:

 

Their Disaster Plan

1. What is the emergency plan for evacuation and for “sheltering in place?” Note that plans will be different for each type of disaster.
2. How is the disaster plan coordinated with community resources, the city, county, and state emergency management?
3. Does the facility discuss the plan with the residents?
4. How can family members plan to be helpful during a disaster?
5. Should disaster strike a facility’s area, is there a phone number for out-of-town family members to call for information?

 

Disaster Supplies

1. What type and how many supplies are on hand in the home?
2. How can residents acquire their own emergency supplies, if they wish?

How Staff Will Help

1. Are there enough staff to carry out the evacuation plan during all shifts?
2. What are the training procedures for staff for emergency evacuations and disaster plans?
3. Are evacuation drills practiced for all shifts of workers?

 

Evacuation Procedures

1. Are there contracts in place with transportation and other facilities to provide housing for displaced residents?
2. Will the transportation company have enough vehicles to transport the residents, especially if the transportation is contracted with other facilities?
3. If the facility is evacuated, how are the supplies transported?
4. How will residents be identified in an evacuation?
5. How will information about the resident and supplies like medicines be transported?
6. How and when will family members be notified about evacuation plans?
7. Can family members meet residents at a designated location? Can they assist loved ones at the facility to prepare for evacuation?
   Note: family members have the right to evacuate their loved one on their own and take them to a special needs shelter of their own choosing.