Weathering the storm: living in a retirement village during a natural disaster

In the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, you may be asking how you could feel more secure in the event of a natural disaster or severe weather event. Natural disasters and emergencies can be overwhelming, especially for older adults who may have additional health or mobility concerns, or who may just feel a little isolated or vulnerable. However, living in a retirement village provides a level of security, support, and preparedness that can make all the difference during a crisis. Here’s how RetireAustralia retirement villages help residents stay safe and supported in an emergency.

Emergency preparedness

While you still have all the benefits of living independently, one of the biggest advantages of living in a retirement village is its proactive approach to emergency preparedness. In some cases, such as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, there will be time to prepare, however, at other times disaster can strike unexpectedly. To ensure RetireAustralia villages are prepared, they have emergency plans in place. This means that residents know what to do before, during, and after a disaster.

The ways retirement villages can assist include:

• advising residents on how to prepare themselves, including steps to take if they rely on medical devices that require power.
• providing clear instructions on who to contact for different needs during an emergency.
• preparing the village itself. This includes ensuring buildings are safe, securing outdoor furniture and equipment, and mitigating potential hazards.
• having a strong communication strategy in place to keep residents informed at every stage of an emergency.

With these measures, residents can feel more confident and reassured, knowing they have a clear plan to follow and who to call on should the need arise.

Community support

One of the biggest fears during a natural disaster is being alone. But in a retirement village, you’re always surrounded by a supportive community. This means that:

• neighbours and friends check in on each other, ensuring someone is always close by.
• village teams and the contact centre are available by phone to help provide guidance and reassurance.

Having a strong sense of community helps reduce anxiety and makes it easier to get through challenging situations together. Rather than facing an emergency in isolation, residents have a built-in support network to rely on.

Maintenance and repairs

After a disaster, dealing with home and garden repairs can be stressful and complicated. Living in a retirement villages take this burden off residents’ shoulders by:

• having builders, electricians, and plumbers on standby, ready to assess and fix damage as soon as it’s safe.
• managing all necessary repairs so residents don’t have to worry about sourcing and coordinating tradespeople themselves.

This ensures that homes are quickly restored to a safe and comfortable condition, giving residents peace of mind.

Safety and security

Retirement villages are designed with age-related safety in mind, making them a secure place to be during an emergency. Key features include:

• Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) that allow residents to call for help at the push of a button.
• well-maintained buildings.
• systems in place to enable emergency services quick and easy access to the community.

Knowing that safety is a top priority provides not only residents, but their families as well, with added reassurance during uncertain times.

You’re not alone

Perhaps the most valuable aspect of living in a retirement village during an emergency is the sense of connection. Isolation can be a significant concern during a crisis, but in a village, you are never truly alone. Whether it’s staff, neighbours or the wider village community, there’s always someone looking out for you. This was evident during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred at The Green Retirement Village at Tarragindi, Brisbane, where residents weathered the storm together by playing Bingo. Keeping each other distracted and bonded by their sense of community, residents made sure they got through the turbulent weekend as best they could together.

When an emergency strikes, having the right support network can make all the difference. Retirement villages offer a secure, prepared and community-driven environment that helps residents stay safe, informed and cared for when it matters most. RetireAustralia are always reviewing emergency procedures to make continuous improvements for the safety of residents