Living in Florida can be wonderful, but preparing yourself and your family for the reality of hurricane season is an annual necessity. If your loved one resides in an assisted living community, you may worry about how they will fare, both physically and emotionally. Overall, you can take comfort knowing that the residence already has professional emergency plans – including storm-resistant infrastructure, backup generators, evacuation protocols, and trained staff ready to keep residents safe.
Still, while the facility is prepared to respond, families play a vital role in supporting their loved ones. Here’s how you can help ensure peace of mind and preparedness as we go through the 2025 season.
Understand the Community’s Hurricane Plan: Start by familiarizing yourself with the assisted living facility’s emergency protocols. Reputable assisted living and memory care communities have detailed procedures for sheltering in place or relocating if necessary. Ask the staff for:
- A copy or summary of the hurricane preparedness plan
- Evacuation procedures and potential relocation sites
- How and when families will be notified in the event of a storm
- What personal belongings residents should have on hand
Knowing the facility’s plan helps you align your own efforts and avoid confusion or duplicate efforts in an emergency.
Create a Personal Comfort Kit: Even when essentials like food, water, and medical care are covered, small personal touches can make a huge difference in your loved one’s comfort during a storm. Put together a personal hurricane kit with items like:
- Extra clothes and undergarments
- Toiletries and hygiene products
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Favorite non-perishable snacks
- A few printed photos or a small photo album
- Crossword puzzles, word searches, or a favorite book
These items provide not just convenience but a sense of emotional grounding during potentially stressful times.
Ensure Medical Information is Up to Date: Double-check that your loved one’s medical records, prescriptions, and emergency contacts are up to date with the facility. If your loved one uses medical devices that require electricity, confirm with staff that backup power will be available—or ask about their relocation strategy to ensure continuity of care.
Don’t Forget! Include a printed summary of medications and conditions in their personal kit, just in case extra documentation is needed during a relocation.
Reinforce Emotional Reassurance: Hurricanes can create anxiety, especially for seniors who may have lived through previous storms or who are concerned about being separated from family. One of the most powerful things you can do is offer emotional reassurance. Schedule regular check-in calls or video chats during storm season. Let your loved one know that you trust the staff and that you’re in communication with them as well. Phrases like, “The team at A Banyan Residence is well-prepared, and I’m keeping in touch with them too,” can be incredibly calming. If in-person visits are possible before a storm, take the time to review their comfort kit together and offer encouraging words. Sometimes just showing up helps reduce anxiety.
Coordinate with Staff, Don’t Duplicate Efforts: Families understandably want to take action when a storm approaches—but during a crisis, duplicating efforts or making last-minute changes can cause more stress. Work with the staff rather than around them. They have protocols in place and need to focus on implementing them smoothly. Instead of asking to move your loved one at the last minute, which may disrupt plans, check in with staff and ask what support they need from families. Often, it’s staying informed, being available for communication, and trusting the process.
At A Banyan Residence, your loved one’s safety is always our top priority—but emotional comfort matters too. Families can play a meaningful role in helping residents feel secure and supported during hurricane season.
If you have questions about our hurricane preparedness plan or how you can best support your loved one, our team is here to help.
Contact A Banyan Residence today for peace of mind, no matter the season.
