Contact: Jim Suydam
512-417-5382

(AUSTIN, Texas) —

Fortitude and team work are helping Texas nursing home staff meet the colossal challenges presented by Hurricane Harvey and ensure vulnerable residents are safe and well-cared for despite unprecedented flooding.

The storm has forced thousands of residents to be evacuated from over 95 nursing facilities and assisted living facilities along the Gulf Coast to inland nursing facilities or other locations able to care for those in need. Many more nursing facilities were forced to implement emergency preparedness plans and shelter in place. With the support of families and local communities, long term care providers are taking care of their residents as well as residents from other facilities in the affected region against incredible odds.

“It is humbling to hear the reports of staff working around-the-clock to care for the residents, putting these men and women before their own needs, despite their own losses,” said Kevin Warren, President and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association. “Times like these really do reveal the true character of people, and I am proud to be a part of the long term care industry and to see the incredible efforts on display.”

THCA has been supporting statewide outreach efforts in coordination with state officials to identify any available beds for the possibility of additional evacuations, should the need arise. In addition, THCA is setting up Hurricane Relief Fund through their Foundation in effort to assist their members’ employees that have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

“The health and safety of the residents is the number one priority for these long term care communities,” Warren said. “Any support and coordination with the state agencies, the business community and volunteers that we can offer, while they work tirelessly, we’re committed to figure out a way to make it happen.”

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit https://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.