Sandy was a Dandy. It “huffed and it puffed” but it didn’t blow down any CCRC in NJ. It blew down many beautiful old trees but the only serious damage to a CCRC occurred when some below-ground-level common rooms were damaged by water that surged over the bulkhead.
In anticipation of further discussion at Executive Committee meetings, ORANJ conducted a very limited email survey, focusing on basic health and safety issues. A group email went to all resident association presidents asking three questions:
- What was the duration of the power outage?
- Did you have a generator for independent living residents?
- If you had a generator, did it power the elevator(s) and kitchen(s) and did it light hallways and stairwells?
Communities were urged to include any other information on the Sandy aftermath that they were willing to share. All communities responded and many described their experiences.
Length of Power Outage. Six communities did not lose power noticeably and four lost it for some or all of one day. Ten additional communities lost power for two to three days. Two communities lost power for four days. Two spent five days without power and one spent nine days. Some CCRCs said that they benefited from priority standing for restoration of service.
Generators for Independent Living. Not everyone responded to the question about generators because some who had not lost power considered the question irrelevant. Most of the other communities had a generator or unspecified backup power for essential services, e.g. running elevators, lighting halls and stair-wells, and powering the kitchens. Two communities indicated that administration recognized the lack of backup power and were planning to install generators shortly. The community with a nine-day outage had no generator for independent living residents and made no mention of any anticipated change.
Preparedness. Several respondents mentioned careful preparations for the storm. One described a week-long class for residents and staff alike. Some rearranged the furniture, moving dining away from windows. One community implemented a comprehensive emergency/disaster plan that was periodically reviewed and updated at monthly resident meetings. One community had compiled a directory of cell phone numbers of residents after Irene swept through a year earlier.
Handicapped Residents. Several communities protected their handicapped residents by bringing them for temporary shelter to the AL/Health Center, where light and heat were mandated by NJ regulations. In one community the chief operating officer visited every independent living resident at the beginning of the outage to discuss what would make them comfortable and offered a temporary stay in the health center as an alternative. The writer added that this demonstration of caring was very important for each resident. Two communities organized clusters of residents on residential wings under the leadership of a resident volunteer who was responsible for visiting and helping to keep residents comfortable. Another community has an ongoing list of residents who might need additional help in a power outage situation.
Meal Service. Virtually all respondents commented on the creative efforts by kitchens to keep residents fed, preferable with hot meals. Meals emanated from barbecue grills, pizza ovens, omelet makers and giant coffee jugs. One reported that the community stocked cans of tuna fish, cookies, bottled water, etc. that were available for the taking. All communities delivered meals to anyone who was unable to reach a central delivery location.
Outreach Beyond the CCRC. At least four communities described significant service to the homeless. Empty units became way stations for those who had lost their homes with the expectation of extended need for service. One community had more than 100 “visitors” from a community near the shore. Another community is organizing a benefit with proceeds to go to a “sister” community with many needs. Families of staff were routinely invited to stay if their homes were seriously impaired. The ability to share with those less fortunate was a source of real pride to those who reported these experiences.
The Human Factor. Even though there were no explicit questions on the subject, there were clear indications of the importance of attitude and approaches to helping residents cope in these difficult circumstances. In communities where employees and residents collaborated in making others comfortable and in reaching out to the less fortunate, there was pride in how well they came together in the storm’s aftermath. Purposeful activity was salutary. Maybe this, too, will be a lesson from Sandy that will become part of future preparedness.