The vast majority of the state’s nursing homes, which house 73,000 people, and assisted-living facilities, which serve another 92,000, are sheltering in place, she said. The shifting forecasts for Irma’s path caused a bit of havoc for elder care organizations seeking to move residents out of the way. One of the buses at a retirement community in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. as it prepares to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Irma. Under state and federal law, nursing home and assisted-living facilities that do shelter residents in place must maintain emergency plans, including backup generators, food and water. That could make Florida’s senior citizens who reside in licensed facilities the lucky ones in coming days.

Source: Washington Post September 09, 2017 21:36 UTC