Residents in long-term care are among the most vulnerable during emergencies. Many live with physical or cognitive limitations that prevent them from responding to crises on their own. Federal guidelines require all nursing homes to have a written emergency preparedness plan, but not all plans are detailed, up to date, or well communicated to families.
Tornadoes, power outages, floods, and extreme temperatures aren’t just possibilities—they’re realities in Missouri. That’s why it’s vital that every nursing home has a clear, practiced plan for how to protect residents in every type of emergency.
Five Questions Every Family Should Ask About Nursing Home Emergency Preparedness
If you haven’t already talked to your loved one’s nursing home about their emergency preparedness, now is the time. Here are five important questions to ask:
- What is your current emergency preparedness plan?
Request a copy and find out how often it’s updated. - What are your shelter-in-place procedures?
In the event of a tornado or storm, where are residents taken and how are they protected? - Do you have a clear evacuation plan?
Where will residents go if they must leave the facility? What transportation and medical support will be available? - How will families be informed in an emergency?
Ask when and how you will be contacted if something happens. - Do you conduct regular emergency drills?
Facilities should practice their response plans with staff and residents on all shifts. Emergencies often occur on nights and weekends.
What Families Can Do to Support Emergency Preparedness
Being proactive is key. Help ensure your loved one is protected:
- Talk to the administrator or director of nursing. Ask detailed questions about their preparedness strategy.
- Keep your contact info current. Make sure you’re on the emergency call list.
- Review the facility’s plan. Understand where your loved one would be taken and who would care for them.
- Prepare your own plan. Know how you would reach the facility or assist in a crisis.
VOYCE Supports Emergency Preparedness Across Missouri
VOYCE serves more than 500 long-term care communities across 39 counties in eastern Missouri. Our ombudsmen monitor nursing homes not just for quality of care, but also for their ability to keep residents safe in emergencies. We help residents and families ask the right questions and hold facilities accountable for their emergency response plans.
Final Thoughts
Nursing home emergency preparedness is more than a checklist—it’s a commitment to safety, planning, and compassion. Disasters like the recent St. Louis tornado remind us that plans must be in place before the storm hits.
Families have the right to understand how their loved ones will be protected. Facilities have the responsibility to make those plans clear, accessible, and effective.