MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year
families take steps to prepare for winter weather, such as
purchasing shovels, ice melt and extra batteries. Sunrise Senior
Living (NYSE: SRZ), one of the largest providers of senior living,
is encouraging families also to prepare for their senior loved ones
this winter season.
"When it comes to ensuring the safety of seniors in your home or
ours, it's crucial to be prepared," said Laura McDuffie, EVP and head of Operations at
Sunrise. "Sunrise's top priority is the safety and security
of our residents, and we go to great lengths to prepare our
communities for winter storms. Families with older adults
should take a few extra steps this season to safeguard their loved
one in advance of a winter storm."
It is very important for families to check in with seniors prior
to a storm to ensure that all their needs are met. Sunrise
offers these tips for families and caregivers:
- Ensure your loved one always has three days' worth of food and
water available.
- Obtain an adequate supply of medications and have a plan to
secure refills, if needed.
- Provide and set up a generator to be used in the event of a
short-term power outage; remember to test this equipment
regularly.
- Discuss the game plan with your loved one. Whether you shelter
in place, such as in the basement, or need to evacuate, it is
important to discuss the potential situations and have a plan.
- Secure and fully charge a cell phone; make sure your loved one
knows how to use it and has emergency contact numbers readily
available.
Experiencing a winter weather storm – or any extreme weather
event – can also be very stressful for seniors. Families can help
ease anxiety and aid their loved ones in coping by:
- Sharing the weather predictions without over-hyping it and
making sure everyone knows the response plans.
- Making a new or temporary environment feel more like home by
placing personal items where they are most accustomed to finding
them, especially things like eyeglasses, beverages and snacks.
- Talking about it. Encourage your loved one to talk about the
effects of a severe storm and their feelings.
- Don't forget to care for yourself – caregivers need support and
assistance in stressful times too!
Sunrise bases its preparedness on more than 30 years of
experience in managing emergency situations and working with first
responders. Sunrise can provide a safe and comforting place
for seniors who may be without power, transportation or shelter
following a storm. If you or someone you love is in need of a
short-term or respite stay, please contact a Sunrise community near
you for information.
About Sunrise Senior Living
Sunrise Senior Living, a
McLean, Va.-based company, employs
approximately 31,600 people. As of September
30, 2012, Sunrise operated 303 communities located in
the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a unit capacity of
approximately 29,400 units. Sunrise offers a full range of
personalized senior living services, including independent living,
assisted living, care for individuals with Alzheimer's and other
forms of memory loss, as well as nursing and rehabilitative
services. Sunrise's senior living services are delivered by staff
trained to encourage the independence, preserve the dignity, enable
freedom of choice and protect the privacy of residents. To learn
more about Sunrise, please visit
http://www.sunriseseniorliving.com.
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Contact:
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Sara
Abriatis
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Corporate Communications
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(703)
744-1829
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SOURCE Sunrise Senior Living
