Hurricane Preparedness at Buena Vida Estates
Hurricane season is a scary time for everyone, but it can be especially scary when you have an elderly relative that lives alone or if you are the elderly individual. 49% of people who perish during hurricanes are over the age of 75. According to the American Red Cross, the fatality rate is so high because senior citizens often don’t evacuate before a hurricane, sometimes due to mobility problems.
Here at Buena Vida Estates, we work tirelessly to ensure our residents’ safety.
We create a comforting atmosphere to weather any storm.
We want to make sure our residents and their families are put at ease during any uncertain times.
Many families that have an elderly relative worry about evacuating them or getting them hurricane supplies so they can survive on their own if they have to. Relatives of Buena Vida residents don’t have these worries because their loved ones are taken care of by our wonderful staff. In 2016 and 2017 we were hit by Hurricane Matthew and Irma. Buena Vida management responded with important preparation meetings and implemented ways to make sure our residents remained safe and well fed. Via our diesel generator, we can provide electricity for our kitchen, dining rooms, first floor common areas, hallways, and elevators. Vital amenities that support our residents are our first concern.
Our top priority is always keeping our residents safe
and making sure they feel cared for because they are a part of our family.
Our amazing and caring staff stayed overnight to assure that our residents had the assistance they needed. Warm meals and coffee were provided and many residents came out to play card games or socialize. It is important for us to maintain a regular schedule to give our residents a sense of safety during these types of situations. When hurricanes hit, putting up hurricane shutters is not even a question in some people’s minds but for elderly people that kind of heavy lifting can be a struggle and cause injury. During hurricanes we don’t make our residents lift a finger. We move patio furniture and plants, put sandbags out, and do any other heavy lifting they need. We also make sure to get a cleaning crew to take care of the debris so that it is safe to go outdoors after the storm has past. Our top priority is always keeping our residents safe and making sure they feel cared for because they are a part of our family. We received many letters after the storm thanking us for making it a pleasant experience for everyone. The steps that we take to prepare for hurricane season are ones that we are ready to take during any emergency.
Here’s what some of our residents had to say
about weathering the storm at Buena Vida:
“My children who live in another state were so relieved that we were at Buena Vida Estates and they didn’t have to worry about us.”
“We didn’t have to board up a home, fill our gas tank, stock up on food and water or evacuate. We had everything we needed and were taken care of right here at Buena Vida. The staff thought of everything.”
“Buena Vida is built so solidly that we didn’t have to evacuate and there was no damage to face in the aftermath of any of the hurricanes.”
Prepping for a hurricane can be a nerve-wracking, but our mission at Buena Vida Estates is to make it as stress free and comfortable as possible for our residents and their families.
Buena Vida Estates has responded to Florida State hurricane preparedness by installing an additional permanent diesel generator that replaced the portable generators. This will support our Memory Care facility.
