Falling short of Expectations
Texas residents, particularly those living in senior independent living facilities, have been suffering heavy power outages following the devastation caused by hurricane Beryl on 8th July. Tina Kitzmiller, a retired postal worker who lives in one of these facilities, recounts days without electricity under scorching 90-degree weather without any serious medical care being provided. The facility lacked an alternate power system, such as generators, something Kitzmiller was unaware of when moving in.
Repeated Failures Despite Testing Times
These tribulations aren’t new. This is despite experiencing multiple extreme weather conditions since last year – including a winter storm in 2021 that triggered extensive blackouts and resulted in the U.S. Senate launching an investigation. However, according to David Grabowski, professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School, little progress has been made to protect those residing in long-term care facilities.
The Vulnerability of the Aged
Power outages can spell danger for anyone. For older adults though, the risks are significantly higher due to medications or medical conditions that can impair their body’s ability to withstand extreme temperatures. Some medications even necessitate refrigeration, adding another layer of complications to the already struggling situation.
The Need for Regulations
Federal guidelines do mandate safe indoor temperatures for nursing homes, yet they do not dictate the method of maintaining these conditions. While assisted living facilities are under state jurisdiction, states often fail in implementing or enforcing these regulations, leading to inadequate changes. Unsurprisingly, rules for emergency preparedness can vary widely from state to state, with some enforcing them more stringently than others.
Texas remains a Laggard
While Maryland, Florida, and other states enforced procedures for emergency preparedness following natural disasters, Texas has lagged behind. In Texas, around 2000 assisted living facilities and many independent living facilities lack any requirement for generators.
Rapid Sector Growth Adds To The Woes
The assisted living and independent living sectors are expanding rapidly in the country, particularly in Texas. Residents have medical needs that often do not warrant the need for a full-fledged nursing home, leading them to opt for these facilities instead. However, they are not any less at risk when power outages occur. Legislators like Republican state Rep. Ed Thompson have made repeated attempts since 2020 to mandate backup generators for assisted living facilities in Texas, but to no avail.
The Saying Goes: Action Speaks Louder Than Words
After the 2021 power outage, a voluntary survey by Texas Health and Human Services revealed that only 47% of the responding assisted living facilities and 99% of the nursing care facilities had generators. The long-term care ombudsman for Texas, Patty Ducayet, recommended a requirement for assisted living centers to have generators in her 2023 annual report. However, these suggestions have yet to be adopted.
As the facilities continue to provide inadequate care, the residents, like Tina Kitzmiller, continue to suffer. With seniors unable to keep their medication refrigerated or escape the stifling heat, the need for change is urgent. No number of excuses or deflections from responsibility by the state can change the simple fact that elderly Texans are being left in a lurch during difficult times.