As wild weather tests Houston's senior living facilities, many seniors are left to swelter without adequate cooling solutions. Rosie Powell, a 71-year-old resident of Palisades of Inwood, has been enduring nearly a month without air conditioning in her North Houston apartment.
"I’m sitting here in the living room now with my little portable fan that I bought from Walmart," she shared on a scorching June afternoon, with her thermostat reading 87 degrees Fahrenheit.
Powell moved to Palisades of Inwood a decade ago, attracted by the affordability and community spirit. However, the lack of oversight in these independent living facilities has left her and her neighbors vulnerable during extreme weather events.
Regulatory Gaps in Independent Living Facilities
While nursing homes and assisted living centers in Texas are mandated to be storm-ready, independent living communities like Palisades of Inwood are not subjected to the same stringent regulations. This gap in care leaves seniors at risk, especially those with chronic health issues who rely on power for life-saving devices and medications.
Houston City Council Member Amy Peck highlighted the issue: "A lot of times there are a bunch of senior citizens living in an apartment complex with no kind of accountability for what could happen in a disaster situation or any other kind of situation."
The Struggle for Adequate Cooling
Powell's air conditioning unit failed on June 7, affecting nearly a dozen of her neighbors. Despite receiving portable AC units from their landlord, the units are insufficient against Houston's intense summer heat. "I just try to brace myself and try to have enough food or water around here to take care of me," Powell said. "It's just not what we were told it was going to be."
Latasha Washington, the manager of Palisades of Inwood, declined to comment on the situation.
Health Risks for Seniors
State Senator Molly Cook, who holds a Master's in Public Health, emphasized the heightened risk of dehydration for seniors, especially in humid conditions. Extended periods without power can be lethal for elderly individuals who are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
The derecho in May, which left many Houstonians without power or AC for days, highlighted the need for better preparedness in senior care communities. "What we saw out there was that folks were falling between the gaps," Cook noted.
The High Cost of Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities, which are required to have emergency plans and resources such as generators and sufficient food and water, can cost up to $7,000 a month. In contrast, independent living communities, like Houston Heights Tower, offer more affordable housing, with rents around $750 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Linda Holder, executive director of The Housing Corporation, which oversees eight independent living communities in Houston, explained the limitations: "We really can’t take care of people’s medical needs. There’s always 911, we are very high profile with the fire department."
Despite these limitations, Holder mentioned that they do stock extra food and water and provide a cooling center during power outages.
Calls for Policy Changes
Houston City Council Member Amy Peck is advocating for local policy changes to ensure better care standards in independent living communities. "There needs to be some changes to our city ordinances and possibly the state law as well that says, you know that there has to at least be some kind of minimum standard of care at these apartment complexes," she asserted.
As extreme weather events become more frequent, the need for better regulation and preparedness in independent senior living facilities is critical. Ensuring that all seniors, regardless of their living arrangements, have access to adequate care and emergency resources is essential for their safety and well-being.
Comments
Post a Comment