CAREGIVER CORNER

By Elli Baldwin, CDP

Senior Support Post-Hurricane

Many of our senior citizens need support after Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Like everything, it takes a village to ensure the safety of those in our communities. Here are some ways to provide meaningful assistance to the seniors in our community:

  1. Conduct Safety Checks: If you know of a senior who stayed in place during the storm, ensure they are still okay. Sometimes, things may seem all right at first but develop into problems over time, like mold. Keep conducting safety checks to be sure.
  2. Offer Transportation: As the city rebuilds, transportation services may still be impacted. You can help your senior neighbors by offering to take them to the grocery store, or a doctor’s appointment.
  3. Emotional Support: Surviving hurricanes can cause stress and take time to recover. Spend time with seniors to offer companionship and emotional support. Listen to their concerns and provide reassurance.
  4. Help with Clean-Up: Assist with cleaning up debris and minor repairs around their property or coordinate help from community groups or volunteers.
  5. Reconnect Utilities: Once it is safe to do so, help reconnect utilities such as electricity, water, and gas. Ensure they have access to heating or cooling as needed.

So many seniors are currently displaced and can’t return home – or shouldn’t – and we are here to help support them and their families. Please reach out to us if you know of a senior who:

  • Needs temporary or long-term housing while their home is being remediated.
  • Needs to be connected with resources like meal delivery, transportation, VA or Medicaid benefits filing, etc.
  • Needs access to care and support at home (personal care, PT/OT, running errands, getting medications, food prep, etc.)

We work with families to understand their needs, timelines, and budgets and help them compare their options. Many times, a short-term weekly or month-to-month stay in a furnished senior living community apartment is the fastest (24-48 hours), safest, and most affordable solution to bridge the gap.

We also offer guidance on navigating insurance claims and understanding the benefits available to seniors in these challenging times. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate support and ensuring each senior receives the care and assistance they need to feel safe and secure.

If you or someone you know is facing difficulties due to the hurricane, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are committed to helping seniors rebuild their lives with dignity and respect and making the transition as smooth as possible. Together, we can overcome these challenges and ensure our senior community is well-supported and cared for.

To learn more about what specific communities will work for you or a loved one, call us at 727-314-6415.

Also, our Sunways website has a caregiver blog and many free downloads and resources, so be sure to check it out! www.sunwaysseniorliving.com

SUNWAYS SENIOR LIVING CONCIERGE
info@sunwaysseniorliving.com
3801 Bee Ridge Rd., Suite 6, Sarasota, FL 34233
727-314-6415

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