By now it’s likely that you, your staff, the residents and their families have seen the incredibly disturbing photo of assisted living residents in Dickinson, TX, sitting in waist-high floodwaters....
Organizational issues to consider in disaster planning
By
Betty Norman
Mar 01, 2013
Just as Hurricane Katrina prompted discussion about emergency preparedness in 2005, Superstorm Sandy has re-ignited talks in the senior living communities about their ability to respond to disasters. When...
Disaster communication: A tale of two mothers-in-law
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 26, 2017
Both of my mothers-in-law live in long-term care communities in Florida. One lives in a place that was excellent about how they communicated with family members before, during and after Hurricane Irma....
Natural gas leak near facility highlights the importance of planning
By
Stan Szpytek
Jul 14, 2021
Incidents like the one that is about to be summarized emphasize the importance of hazard analysis as required by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services Emergency Preparedness Rule. Knowing the potential...
Exercising and evaluating CMS emergency preparedness plans
By
Terry Zysk
Nov 02, 2018
You can’t painstakingly document and evaluate during an exercise or emergency, but detailed and comprehensive event logs can provide a great deal of information for evaluation.
Report: Emergency-planning efforts for frail elderly need greater emphasis
May 19, 2009
Future emergency planning efforts must take into account shifting demographics, particularly the growing number of frail elderly people, according to a new report.
HHS awards $352 million to providers for disaster preparedness
Jul 06, 2011
The Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that it is awarding $352 million in grant money to help healthcare providers improve disaster preparedness efforts.
Preparing for a hurricane
By
Bruce Baron
Jul 25, 2014
For providers, Hurricane Arthur was a reminder to take another look at your emergency preparedness to ensure your plan is up-to-date and effective.
New England nursing homes well-equipped for ice storm
Dec 16, 2008
More than four days after a massive ice storm devastated much of the Northeast, nursing homes have emerged from the disaster relatively unscathed.
What’s needed in emergency preparedness
By
Mary Helen McSweeney-Feld
Feb 28, 2014
Emergency preparedness is an evolving issue for long-term care providers. While a recent study by the Office of the Inspector General found that most nursing homes nationwide met federal requirements for...