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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2007

Cleveland-area Nursing Home Stages Emergency Drill for State Officials
Demonstration Part of National Preparedness Month

COLUMBUS - Officials from the Ohio Departments of Aging and Public Safety and the Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman were on hand today as the Avon Oaks Caring Community ran a full severe weather drill on its care campus. The exercise underscored the importance for long-term care facilities to have and practice emergency plans and was the Department of Aging's contribution to National Preparedness Month activities throughout the state.

"Ohio and the nation learned some very important and tragic lessons in 2005 with hurricanes Katrina and Rita," said Barbara E. Riley, Director of the Ohio Department of Aging. "We must work diligently to ensure that never again will our loved ones in nursing facilities be put in harm's way due to inadequate planning."

"Nursing facilities have very unique situations to consider when shaping an emergency plan, such as mobility and cognitive abilities, transportation and the rights of the residents under their care," added Beverley Laubert, State Long-term Care Ombudsman, who was on hand to observe the drill. "No plan is perfect and only through practice and coordination with local authorities can we truly say we are prepared. Today, we see that preparation put into action."

Also on hand for the demonstration were representatives from Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging and the regional long-term care ombudsman program.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) coordinates National Preparedness Month activities in Ohio to promote awareness and preparedness in case of natural disasters, potential terrorist threats and other emergencies. The Ohio Department of Aging teamed with ODPS to organize this to demonstrate the unique concerns that must be considered in a nursing facility emergency plan.

"We are working with our partners to engage families, schools, businesses and all of Ohio's diverse cultures and communities in emergency planning to ensure that everyone in Ohio can be prepared to respond to an urgent situation, especially those that require additional planning like older Ohioans, people with disabilities and pets," said ODPS Director Henry Guzmán.

About ODA

The Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Working with 12 area agencies on aging and other community partners, the department offers home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more. Visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.