Emergency Preparedness in Long-Term Care: Why Facilities Can’t Afford to Be Unready

Emergency Preparedness in Long-Term Care: Why Facilities Can’t Afford to Be Unready

Natural disasters are no longer rare events. Floods, wildfires, extreme heat, and severe storms are increasing in frequency and now affect regions once considered low risk, putting long-term care facilities under growing pressure.

The reality is simple. Not having a plan is not the same as being prepared.

“The Office of Inspector General (OIG) found in a multi-state study that 77% of facilities in high-risk areas had one or more major deficiencies in their preparedness, even when state surveyors had recently reviewed those organizations and missed critical gaps.”

When emergencies occur, the impact goes far beyond compliance. Facilities face risks to resident safety, operational shutdowns, financial loss, and long-term reputational damage if response efforts fail.

The key to successfully mitigating any emergency is preparedness. CHUG members have access to a comprehensive suite of educational workshops that utilize real-life case studies to teach effective responses to storms and emergency situations. This training can be lifesaving. Not a member? Become a member today. Already a member? Visit the Member Portal for a full calendar of events and member-exclusive content.