Winter can bring unexpected challenges, especially for nursing homes housed in older buildings. When temperatures drop, the risk of heating system failures and other cold-weather emergencies rises, leaving residents vulnerable. One such challenge includes burst pipes, which can compound heating issues and lead to significant water damage. This leads many families to wonder… what if my nursing home loses heat?
On Christmas Eve of 2022, Royal Oak Nursing and Rehabilitation in St. Louis closed its doors after extreme cold caused heating system failures and plumbing issues, displacing residents. Such events underscore the importance of preparation and proactive measures. If you’re concerned about what to do if your nursing home loses heat, here’s what you need to know—and how VOYCE can help.
Why Older Buildings Are Vulnerable
Many nursing homes operate in older buildings with aging infrastructure. During extreme cold, outdated heating systems can fail, and poorly insulated plumbing is at a higher risk of bursting. A burst pipe can lead to flooding, water damage, and additional hazards, further complicating a heating failure.
Power outages caused by winter storms can exacerbate these issues, putting residents at risk for hypothermia, dehydration, or other serious health concerns.
What if My Nursing Home Loses Heat?
If a nursing home experiences a heating failure but has not yet evacuated, families can take important steps to ensure their loved one’s safety:
- Contact the Facility: Speak with the facility’s management to understand the extent of the issue and their immediate plans to restore heat.
- Ask About Interim Measures: Inquire if the facility is moving residents to warmer areas, providing extra blankets, or using space heaters to keep rooms warm.
- Be Aware of Staffing Challenges: Winter weather can also lead to lower staffing levels, as employees may struggle to travel due to hazardous road conditions. Ask how the facility is ensuring adequate care with reduced staff.
- Visit Your Loved One (If Possible): If weather conditions allow, visit the facility to ensure your loved one is safe and comfortable. Bring extra clothing, blankets, or space heaters to keep them warm.
- Call Missouri’s Elder Abuse Hotline: If you’re concerned that the facility isn’t taking adequate steps, contact Missouri’s Hotline at 1-800-392-0210. Their team can help ensure swift action and that residents’ needs are being met.
Acting quickly can prevent minor issues from escalating into larger emergencies.
Concerns About Staffing During Extreme Weather
Severe winter weather can also result in staff shortages, as employees may face difficulty commuting to work. Reduced staffing can directly impact the care and safety of residents during emergencies like heating failures. This can prove disastrous in facilities that frequently run with low staffing. Families should:
- Ask About Contingency Plans: Inquire how the nursing home ensures adequate staffing levels during severe weather.
- Check on Care Quality: If you notice signs that your loved one isn’t receiving proper attention, such as unmet hygiene needs or delayed meals, report these concerns immediately to management or the ombudsman program.
Facilities should have contingency plans to address staff shortages, including on-site accommodations for workers or coordination with nearby healthcare providers for additional support.
Precautions Families Can Take
Families of nursing home residents can take steps to ensure their loved ones are as safe as possible:
- Ask Questions: Inquire about the nursing home’s cold-weather plan, including how they prevent and respond to burst pipes.
- Provide Extra Warmth: Consider giving your loved one additional cold-weather clothing, such as thermal socks, sweaters, or blankets, to keep in their room.
- Check Emergency Contacts: Ensure the nursing home has up-to-date emergency contact information for family members. Also, ensure that your loved one has these written down in something small that they will be sure to take with them during an evacuation.
What Nursing Homes Should Do
Nursing homes are responsible for safeguarding residents during extreme weather as part of their 24/7 oversight responsibility for their residents. A comprehensive emergency plan should address heating failures, burst pipes, and staffing shortages. Key steps include:
- Regular maintenance and insulation checks on plumbing and heating systems.
- Backup generators in case of power outages.
- Rapid-response plans for repairing burst pipes and mitigating water damage.
- Designated safe areas in the building where residents can gather if heating or water systems fail.
- Coordination with local emergency management and the Department of Regulation and Licensure for evacuation plans.
- Contingency plans for staffing shortages, including securing transportation for employees and bringing in additional support staff if necessary.
Families should feel empowered to ask their loved one’s facility about these precautions and report any concerns if they are not in place.
What to Do If an Evacuation Happens
In severe cases, like the closure of Royal Oak in 2022, a nursing home may need to evacuate residents due to a lack of heat or water. Here’s how families can prepare:
- Understand the Plan: Ask where residents would be relocated and how their medical needs will be met during the move.
- Stay Informed: Keep your phone on and be ready to respond if the facility reaches out during an emergency.
- Support the Transition: If possible, visit your loved one at the evacuation site to provide comfort and ensure they are adjusting well.
- Ask about the Future: In many cases, evacuations are temporary, but sometimes, the facility may decide it is unsafe for residents to return to the original nursing home. In that case, coordinate with the new facility staff or the ombudsman program regarding returning resident belongings and decide if you want the resident to remain at the facility they were evacuated.
How Ombudsmen Can Help
While it is not an emergency service, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a vital resource during emergencies. Ombudsmen advocate for residents, ensuring their rights are respected and their needs are met. If heating, plumbing, or staffing issues arise in a nursing home, ombudsmen can:
- Facilitate communication between residents, families, and the facility.
- Address concerns about safety, care, or relocation.
- Ensure the facility is following appropriate procedures and advocate for swift action.
- Communicate with residents, family, and staff at all points regarding resident rights.
If you’re worried about how your loved one’s nursing home is handling cold weather, heating failures, burst pipes, or staffing shortages, contact VOYCE. Our team of ombudsmen is here to help residents and families navigate these situations with confidence and care.
At VOYCE, we’re dedicated to ensuring the well-being and dignity of every nursing home resident. Cold weather may bring challenges, but with preparation and the right resources, we can help residents stay safe and warm.