Oaks Senior Living Communities Unite to Shelter Evacuated Seniors During Hurricane Helene

In a remarkable display of solidarity and emergency preparedness, Oaks Senior Living communities across Georgia and South Carolina joined forces to ensure the safety and well-being of senior residents evacuated from Oaks at Evans Senior Living due to Hurricane Helene. The category 4 storm, which impacted over 600 miles of the southeastern United States, left many areas without power, including the Evans facility.

As Hurricane Helene bore down on the region, Oaks Senior Living leadership made the critical decision to relocate residents from the affected Evans community to sister facilities Camellia Place of Woodstock and Oaks at Aiken. This swift action prioritized resident safety and continuity of care during a potentially life-threatening situation. The receiving communities, fully prepared with necessary staff and supplies, coordinated with local emergency services to accommodate the evacuated seniors.

The relocation effort was spearheaded by Oaks Senior Living's top executives, including CEO Bear Mahon and CFO Drew Williams, who personally assisted in the transfer of residents. Their hands-on involvement underscored the company's commitment to its residents and set a powerful example of leadership during a crisis. Simultaneously, the Regional Team and Community Leadership Team at Oaks at Evans worked tirelessly to manage the logistics of the evacuation, including the procurement and setup of 30 cots to ensure comfortable temporary housing for all displaced residents.

Drew Williams, CFO of Oaks Senior Living, emphasized the significance of the collaborative effort, stating, "We are extremely grateful for the community support and the dedication of our team members. This collaboration effort underscores our commitment to serving not only our residents, but also the broader communities in which we operate."

This coordinated response to Hurricane Helene highlights the importance of emergency preparedness in senior living facilities and the critical role of community support during natural disasters. It also demonstrates the potential for senior living providers to leverage their networks to ensure resident safety and continuity of care under extreme circumstances.

The incident serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of senior living communities in the face of unforeseen challenges. It also raises awareness about the unique vulnerabilities of senior populations during natural disasters and the need for comprehensive emergency plans that account for power outages, evacuations, and temporary relocation.

For the senior care industry, this event underscores the value of having strong inter-facility relationships and the ability to mobilize resources quickly across a network of communities. It sets a precedent for how senior living providers can collaborate to protect their residents during emergencies, potentially influencing future industry standards and best practices for disaster response.

As climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, the proactive and coordinated approach demonstrated by Oaks Senior Living could serve as a model for other senior care providers across the country. This event not only showcases the company's commitment to its residents but also highlights the broader implications for senior care emergency management in an era of increasing environmental challenges.