Hurricane Preparedness at MorseLife Health System An Ongoing Priority
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (PRWEB) June 10, 2018 -- As the 2018 hurricane season begins, the hum of five generators on the MorseLife Health System campus in West Palm Beach is something Keith Myers, president/CEO, hopes not to have to hear. However, if a hurricane hits, he notes that MorseLife Health System is one senior care organization that is well prepared to keep nearly 800 residents and patients on its campus safe and secure.
With the 2018 hurricane season predicted to be similar to last year’s, emergency power rules have become law in Florida for nursing homes and assisted living residences such as those on the MorseLife campus, particularly after 12 patients at a Hollywood Hills rehabilitation center died in suffocating heat during Hurricane Irma.
MorseLife Health System was one of few Florida senior living campuses to have generators throughout Hurricane Irma last September. Keith Myers noted that patients in its short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities and residents of the Levin Tower and The Tradition at MorseLife, its independent and assisted living residences, saw no interruption of power or vital services throughout the storm. “Additionally, we opened our doors to families of employees and the frailest of our community to ensure their safety and security,” he added.
“Hurricane preparedness has always been a priority given the threat we face in Florida, and being proactive, MorseLife invested heavily in generators, building and system improvements over the past five years to avoid power outages that would impact on services to our seniors,” he said. “With our five generators, including a bi-fuel generator that runs on diesel and natural gas, and hurricane impact glass throughout our buildings, residents and patients have the peace of mind knowing we are prepared for the worst.”
With law taking effect on June 1, there are many among the state’s 700 nursing homes and 3100 assisted living residences that have not yet complied to provide their plans. The hurricane season expected to be as severe as last year, and there is a huge concern for the welfare of the most vulnerable among the senior population. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) requires nursing homes and assisted living residences to have a “sufficient alternative power source such as a generator” that can run a minimum of four days with air temperature not to exceed 81 degrees.
Myers noted that the five generators and system upgrades represent an investment in the welfare of elders served on our campus. “We take very seriously our longstanding responsibility to our seniors, among the most vulnerable of our population, to keep them safe and secure,” Myers said.
To learn more about how proactive MorseLife Health System in ensuring the safety and security of seniors in its care, not just during a hurricane but on a daily basis, call (tracking number) or link to http://www.morselife.org.
About MorseLife Health System
MorseLife Health System is a nationally-recognized provider of exceptional care for seniors in Palm Beach County. A charitable, not-for-profit organization, its programs include short-term rehabilitation, long term care, independent and assisted living, memory care assisted living, home health care, meals-on-wheels, care management, and Palm Beach PACE. Founded over 35 years ago, MorseLife has built a reputation and tradition of caring for seniors with excellence, dignity and compassion. For more information, visit http://www.morselife.org.
Greg Goodman, MorseLife, http://www.morselife.org, +1 (561) 687-5749, [email protected]
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