By Laura Hofmann, VP of Clinical & Regulatory Services 

September is National Preparedness Month, an important reminder for long-term care providers that emergency preparedness is not simply a regulatory requirement—it is an essential part of protecting residents and maintaining continuity of care. 

Long-term care communities face unique challenges during emergencies. Residents may have complex medical needs, cognitive or mobility limitations, dependence on medications or medical equipment, and limited ability to evacuate independently. Whether the emergency is a wildfire, severe weather event, extended power outage, earthquake, infectious disease outbreak, or other unexpected event, facilities must be prepared to continue providing essential services under rapidly changing conditions. 

Recent emergencies in WA State have also demonstrated that preparedness extends far beyond having an emergency plan on the shelf. Effective preparedness requires staff who understand their roles, reliable communication systems, current resident information, evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures, adequate emergency supplies, transportation planning, and strong relationships with emergency management, healthcare partners, vendors, and other community resources. 

National Preparedness Month is a good opportunity for long-term care organizations to ask: Are we truly prepared to put our emergency plan into action? 

Communities can use September to review and update emergency plans, verify emergency contact information, assess supplies and backup systems, review evacuation procedures, educate staff, and conduct drills or tabletop exercises. Just as importantly, organizations should evaluate lessons learned from previous emergencies and use those experiences to strengthen their plans. 

LeadingAge Washington’s Quarterly Facilities and Maintenance Professional Network meeting on September 24th from 1:30-3:00 will focus on how two communities dealt with real life emergencies and how two other communities planned for one.  More information on this members-only opportunity can be found here. We will also be participating in the Spokane Complex Fires Community Washout with Spokane LTC communities, RCS, NWHRN, Spokane Regional Health Dept, Spokane FD9 and Spokane Fire on September 28th at Rockwood South Hill. This will be an important time for Spokane LTC communities to discuss lessons learned from the recent wildfires and further enhance their preparedness. (Note that this is an invitation-only event.) 

Preparedness is not a once-a-year activity. It is an ongoing process of planning, practicing, evaluating, and improving. When an emergency occurs, the strength of those systems can make a critical difference in a facility’s ability to protect residents, support staff, and maintain essential care. 

This September, National Preparedness Month is an opportunity to move beyond having a plan—and make sure your organization is ready to use it.