Assisted Living Facilities Partnering with Hotels for Emergency Displacement Housing
Tallahassee, Fla. – Being prepared for hurricane season means more than just making sure you’re well-stocked on batteries, food and water. It also means having a plan in case you need to evacuate and ensuring you will have a safe and comfortable shelter. As past storms have demonstrated, this is particularly important for those residing in long-term care facilities where operators are tasked with finding suitable alternate housing for dozens of residents in the event that their facility becomes uninhabitable during an emergency or natural disaster.
In order to ensure the safety and continuity of care for residents of assisted living facilities (ALFs) and adult family care homes (AFCHs), the Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA) has connected with Hilton, which may be able to provide shelter in the event any of FALA’s member ALFs or AFCHs are forced to evacuate their residents. FALA represents more than 650 ALFs and AFCHs, as well as nearly 300 associate members who provide products and services.
“Our members and providers throughout the state are required to be prepared to relocate for many different reasons, and hurricanes are a major cause of evacuation. A storm could potentially impact hundreds of our members at the same time,” said FALA CEO Veronica Catoe. “After the 2018 Emergency Environmental Control for Assisted Living Facilities requirements were implemented, additional challenges arose for providers who were accustomed to partnering with other businesses as air-conditioned space became essential. While some providers have always had contracts with hotels for emergencies, the impact of COVID-19 and requirements to ensure social distancing is maintained created the need to partner with a major brand.”
FALA has connected with Hilton to identify hotels operating in Florida under the Hilton portfolio of brands that have the necessary resources to meet ALF requirements. The association has identified more than 60 Hilton hotels in Florida that meet these qualifications and may be able to provide housing and related services in the event of an emergency. ALFs, AFCHs and other long-term care facilities that are faced with the prospect of finding suitable alternate housing for residents due to an emergency or natural disaster can work with this list of qualified hotels to identify a hotel that can accommodate their displaced residents.
“This partnership with Hilton allows our members to easily identify hotels in the areas they may need to evacuate to that have emergency power, easy entry and other amenities that will provide for a pleasant experience during stressful times. No one wants to leave their home, and ALFs and AFCHs are our residents’ homes. We are excited and grateful to Hilton and all of the properties that have signed up to partner with ALFs and AFCHs,” said Catoe.
“Throughout our 101-year history, Hilton has provided hospitality and support to communities in need,” said Cheryl James, director of sales, Hilton Worldwide Sales. “Our collection of Hilton properties is delighted to be an option when a need arises in the state of Florida for the Florida Assisted Living Association’s members.”
About The Florida Assisted Living Association
The Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA) is the state’s largest and oldest association serving assisted living facilities (ALFs). For more than 25 years, FALA has provided advocacy, education and regulatory support for its members, focusing on quality, legislative action and government relations in order to enhance the ALF industry. For more information about the Florida Assisted Living Association, visit www.fala.org.
In order to ensure the safety and continuity of care for residents of assisted living facilities (ALFs) and adult family care homes (AFCHs), the Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA) has connected with Hilton, which may be able to provide shelter in the event any of FALA’s member ALFs or AFCHs are forced to evacuate their residents. FALA represents more than 650 ALFs and AFCHs, as well as nearly 300 associate members who provide products and services.
“Our members and providers throughout the state are required to be prepared to relocate for many different reasons, and hurricanes are a major cause of evacuation. A storm could potentially impact hundreds of our members at the same time,” said FALA CEO Veronica Catoe. “After the 2018 Emergency Environmental Control for Assisted Living Facilities requirements were implemented, additional challenges arose for providers who were accustomed to partnering with other businesses as air-conditioned space became essential. While some providers have always had contracts with hotels for emergencies, the impact of COVID-19 and requirements to ensure social distancing is maintained created the need to partner with a major brand.”
FALA has connected with Hilton to identify hotels operating in Florida under the Hilton portfolio of brands that have the necessary resources to meet ALF requirements. The association has identified more than 60 Hilton hotels in Florida that meet these qualifications and may be able to provide housing and related services in the event of an emergency. ALFs, AFCHs and other long-term care facilities that are faced with the prospect of finding suitable alternate housing for residents due to an emergency or natural disaster can work with this list of qualified hotels to identify a hotel that can accommodate their displaced residents.
“This partnership with Hilton allows our members to easily identify hotels in the areas they may need to evacuate to that have emergency power, easy entry and other amenities that will provide for a pleasant experience during stressful times. No one wants to leave their home, and ALFs and AFCHs are our residents’ homes. We are excited and grateful to Hilton and all of the properties that have signed up to partner with ALFs and AFCHs,” said Catoe.
“Throughout our 101-year history, Hilton has provided hospitality and support to communities in need,” said Cheryl James, director of sales, Hilton Worldwide Sales. “Our collection of Hilton properties is delighted to be an option when a need arises in the state of Florida for the Florida Assisted Living Association’s members.”
About The Florida Assisted Living Association
The Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA) is the state’s largest and oldest association serving assisted living facilities (ALFs). For more than 25 years, FALA has provided advocacy, education and regulatory support for its members, focusing on quality, legislative action and government relations in order to enhance the ALF industry. For more information about the Florida Assisted Living Association, visit www.fala.org.
