Hurricane Readiness: Miami Jewish Health exceeds Florida mandates

MIAMI - July 26, 2018 - PRLog -- Miami Jewish Health is a proud leader and advocate of hurricane readiness in Florida, where death and devastation from Hurricane Irma resulted in tougher regulations from the governor's office for eldercare facilities.

Miami Jewish Health's location for 78 years in the heart of Miami, just miles from the Atlantic shoreline, is the motivating force for the largest long-term care facility in the Southeast to have the infrastructure in place to keep its elderly residents safe and secure.

Buildings and infrastructure were designed to be hurricane resistant. Generators in place produce power to cool 100 square feet per patient for up to four days, more than three times the ratio required under new state regulations. Leadership and a full staff of employees are on duty round the clock during emergencies.

"Miami Jewish Health shares the same goal as the governor and the Legislature to keep the elderly safe during natural disasters," said Jeffrey Freimark, president and CEO at Miami Jewish Health.

Freimark added: "Fortunately, our many years of experience to withstand hurricanes makes us a leader in meeting and exceeding the tougher regulations for nursing homes and assisted living facilities issued by Gov. Scott after Hurricane Irma left behind such horrific devastation last year."

Miami Jewish Health, celebrating its 78th anniversary, comprises 412 nursing-home beds, 104 assisted living apartments and a 32-bed hospital. Diligent emergency planning enables tenants to stay in place during a hurricane. Studies show that emergency evacuation can create trauma for the elderly. Therefore, Miami Jewish Health's leadership is committed to establishing a facility that goes beyond standard nursing home life-safety requirements so that residents are able to remain in their familiar environment. The facility also has the space to shelter family members should there be a need.

Medical services are in place for the duration of any emergency to treat patients for all situations, except surgery. The long-term care nursing center at Miami Jewish Health has 20 additional beds to accommodate the elderly moved from their homes by the Miami-Dade County's Emergency and Evacuation Assistance Program.

"We are well prepared again to protect the safety of all our residents, their family members and employees at Miami Jewish Health," Freimark said.

Miami Jewish Health is one of the most innovative healthcare providers in the United States, treating annually more than 12,000 people of all ages, ethnicities and religions. The 78-year-old organization draws patients from across the nation and around the world for its pioneering Centers of Excellence: Rosomoff Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center; Memory Center; Rehabilitation Services at Miami Jewish Health's Nursing Facility; and the Florida PACE Centers (Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly). Please visit us at http://www.miamijewishhealthsystems.org.