Sunrise Senior Living Shares Winter Preparedness Tips

Expert Advice on Preparing and Supporting Older Adults During Severe Weather Events

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Dec 11, 2012, 09:00 ET

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.