For Florida seniors, the arrival of hurricane season often brings increased anxiety about homeownership and home maintenance responsibilities. This is often paired with concern from family members who worry about their loved one’s well-being during increasingly active storm seasons.

It’s understandable. As FEMA highlights, seniors can face unique challenges during emergencies, including isolation, mobility limitations, and specific medical needs. Proactive preparation is key to navigating these challenges, particularly for seniors who live alone in a private residence.

Preparing Seniors’ Homes for Hurricane Season: Rising Costs and Responsibilities

Being a homeowner in Florida comes with significant responsibilities, especially when facing potential hurricanes. Each year, Florida seniors need to plan for a wide range of preparations. These should include:

• Securing Your Home: Installing and testing hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows, reinforcing doors and garage doors, trimming trees and shrubs, clearing gutters and downspouts, and securing loose outdoor items like furniture and decorations.
• Stocking up on Supplies: Gathering a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water, and stocking up on first-aid supplies, batteries, flashlights, and other essential items. It’s also imperative to have a two-week supply of all prescription and over-the-counter medications.
• Reviewing Insurance Policies: Understanding your homeowners insurance coverage, including hurricane deductibles, and ensuring you have adequate protection. Flood damage is not typically covered by standard homeowner’s insurance and added flood protection should be obtained if you are in a flood zone.
• Creating an Evacuation Plan: Knowing your evacuation zone and having a plan for where you will go and how you will get there if an evacuation order is issued. If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone, heed the warnings of local officials and evacuate with your pets and loved ones to a safer location.
• Developing a Personal Support Network: Establishing a personal support network of family, friends and neighbors who can assist you with preparations and evacuation is key for Florida seniors. Discuss things like where you will meet if cell phone service is out, and establish a system for checking in.

The financial burden of these preparations can be substantial and is unfortunately compounded by the increasing cost of homeowners insurance in Florida. Recent storms have led to significant payouts by insurance companies, resulting in higher premiums for many homeowners. This added expense can be a significant concern for seniors on a fixed income.

A Worry-Free Solution: Senior Living at Village On The Isle in Venice, Florida

Imagine a life where hurricane preparedness is no longer a personal burden. Where your safety and well-being are taken care of by a dedicated team, and you can spend your time enjoying the Florida lifestyle with friends.

At Village On The Isle in Venice, Florida this is the reality for our residents.

We understand the anxieties that hurricane season can bring, and we have a comprehensive plan in place to ensure the safety and comfort of our residents before, during, and after any storm. At our senior living community, our residents don’t need to worry about how they are going to prepare for a hurricane.

Here’s how we ensure our community is prepared.

Strategic Location

Our senior living campus is situated in FEMA Evacuation Level D and is elevated 18 feet above sea level, meaning the risk of our campus flooding during a storm is lower than the surrounding area.

Robust Infrastructure

All our buildings are equipped with generators to ensure emergency power during and after a hurricane. Notably, our Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing facilities each have a generator, guaranteeing full power to ensure our residents receive uninterrupted care and convenience in the event of a prolonged outage.

Hurricane-Resistant Construction

Over 85% of the residential living portion of campus has been remodeled to include hurricane-resistant windows that meet stringent Miami-Dade County (MDC) standards for large projectile impact. The remaining windows are protected by hurricane shutters that are installed by our team before a storm approaches.

Such robust construction provides superior safety compared to many individual seniors’ homes.

Sheltering in Place

For the past fifteen years, we have successfully sheltered in place during all hurricanes impacting the Venice area. When high winds occur, residents are moved to the secure center hallways of their buildings where staff ensures everyone is safe and accounted for. Our staff ensures all residents have access to food and drink and are comfortable while the storm passes.

After the storm passes, each apartment is carefully inspected for any damage before residents return. This organized approach to sheltering is a hallmark of well-managed senior living community.

Dedicated and Prepared Staff

Each year, our leadership team of approximately 20 people meets to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. We meet before June 1, when the Atlantic Hurricane Season begins, and review and assign responsibilities to each department.

• Our culinary team prepares and stores food and water.
• Our security team manages communication and tests our family phone hotline.
• Resident Life works with residents to secure the necessary medication prior to a storm. 

We also go over our preparedness plan for all potential categories of storms – from a tropical depression to a Category 5 hurricane.

Our staff is so confident in our hurricane preparedness plans and the safety of our building, they may choose to shelter on our campus with their families and pets. During this time, we take care of their families like our own. We provide sleeping accommodations and meals, as well as space for pets.

A Proven Track Record: Safety and Security During Florida Hurricanes

At Village On The Isle in Venice, Florida,we have a proven track record of effectively managing our campus and resident safety during Florida’s hurricane season.

During both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, which impacted the Florida Gulf Coast in 2024, Village On The Isle sheltered in place and implemented our comprehensive preparedness checklist to ensure the comfort and safety of our residents without incident. Many expressed gratitude that they were here during the storm and not living in a private residence.

Our Commitment to You: Worry-Free Living by the Beach

At Village On The Isle, we are committed to providing you with worry-free living near the beach, no matter the season. You can enjoy the vibrant Florida lifestyle knowing that your safety and security are our top priorities. At our unique Life Care community, we promise to take care of you for life. That commitment extends to every aspect of your well-being, including hurricane preparedness.

If you’re a senior looking for a secure and supportive senior living community, we invite you to explore the exceptional lifestyle offered at Village On The Isle in Venice, Florida. Discover the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re in capable hands, allowing you to truly savor your senior years.

For more information about our amenity-rich community, schedule a visit by calling (941) 202-4451.