The Lakes at Pointe West Plans Ahead for a Stress-Free Hurricane Season

Sept. 13, 2010 - PRLog -- The Lakes at Pointe West may have narrowly escaped Hurricane Earl’s recent migration up the East Coast, but the Vero Beach, Fla. retirement community has a detailed plan in place should another hurricane threaten to strike.

According to Executive Director Alton Mendleson, effective preparation begins months before hurricane season when a team of department leaders at The Lakes meet to put together an emergency management plan that outlines the community’s responses to hurricane threats based on the immediacy and strength of the storm.

The building which houses residents who need assisted living or Alzheimer’s care is built to withstand wind gusts up to 130 mph.  Residents are evacuated if sustained winds will exceed 130 mph, and that decision is made 72 hours in advance to ensure enough travel time for residents to make it inland.

By the time the decision is made to evacuate, Lakes’ staff have triple-checked with families to ensure that every resident is accounted for on the evacuation list.  If residents aren’t evacuating with family members, they will leave with the Lakes’ team.  The process can be exhausting for both members and staff, but every effort is taken to ensure that residents travel comfortably and that their every need is met throughout the process.

Mendleson says a typical evacuation can include up to 100 residents, 30 staff members, pets, medical charts, a stockpile of medication, ambulatory devices and emergency kits containing non-perishable foods, flashlights and other emergency supplies.

But even after the residents leave, Facilities Director Anthony Onorato still has a list of tasks to accomplish before the storm hits.

Onorato stays behind to ensure that any potential projectiles are secured, and that windows are protected with boards.  He also assesses the community’s trees to minimize damage associated with falling branches.

Mendleson advises anyone living by the coast to keep a home emergency kit ready at all times.  He also encourages community members to participate in annual hurricane preparedness lectures given by local government officials at community centers each spring.

If you’re interested in putting together a good emergency response kit but don’t know where to start, Mendleson recommends the following items:

•   A three-day supply of water
•   Non-perishable foods such as crackers
•   Flashlights with back-up batteries
•   A small amount of cash for necessities
•   A map with contact information and locations of inland hotels
•   Basic medical supplies (gauze, band-aids, aspirin)
•   Extra gasoline  - you might need it while sitting in traffic
•   Blankets and pillows

About The Lakes at Pointe West
The Lakes at Pointe West is an all-inclusive, luxury retirement community located in Vero Beach, Fla.  The community’s care-free lifestyle helps members live longer, healthier and happier lives by offering an array of amenities including maintenance-free living, daily fine dining, weekly housekeeping, a personalized wellness program and on-site health services.  Member can choose from a variety of floor plans including single-family cottage homes and condominium-style villas.  Assisted living and Alzheimer’s care are also available for those who need to make a transition from independent living.  More information about The Lakes at Pointe West is located at www.Pointe-West.com.