I have to confess: I was surprised by the responses to my post about CCRCs’ elevators. In that piece I explained how developers trying to cut costs sometimes choose less expensive, slower elevators, and how residents end up paying for that decision in time spent waiting. For that reason I advised anyone considering a continuing care retirement community (CCRC or life plan community) to ride the community’s elevators and note how long they wait. It may seem like a small detail, but elevator speed and reliability affect daily life for residents.
>> Related: What an Elevator Says About a CCRC
Reader feedback
Responses came from both CCRC industry professionals and prospective residents. Many industry respondents agreed that prospective residents should test elevators, but one email from a myLifeSite user highlighted another important consideration when choosing a CCRC.
The reader described being “one of three healthy and reasonably mobile 70-year-olds” who became trapped in an elevator that was stuck between floors for about an hour at a symphony hall. First responders removed a small ceiling panel and lowered a ladder and a rescuer into the car. Each person climbed onto the elevator’s roof and was lowered about five feet down the shaft to the next floor.
Thankfully, everyone was rescued without injury. The writer concluded with a sobering thought:
“Afterwards, we considered what could have happened if the elevator riders had included people who were less mobile, had walkers or wheelchairs, were obese, or had claustrophobia—conditions you can easily find at a symphony concert and certainly at a CCRC.”
>> Related: A Closer Look: Examining the CCRC Market in the U.S.
Preparing a CCRC for emergency what-ifs
Elevators, like all mechanical systems, can fail. When touring a CCRC, ask whether the community has plans not only for extracting residents who may become trapped—both those who are healthy and those with mobility limitations—but also for moving residents between floors while elevators are out of service.
This email also raises a broader issue about safety and procedures at CCRCs. Multi-unit residential buildings and healthcare facilities must meet safety standards set by the state fire marshal, local fire authorities, and building codes. Because CCRCs are also workplaces, they fall under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations covering emergency exit routes, fire safety plans, and required equipment such as fire extinguishers.
Even if a CCRC has the required plans and systems on paper, will that make you feel confident that you and your loved ones would be protected in an emergency?
>> Related: Why Every Retiree Should Consider a Retirement Community
What to look for, what to ask at a CCRC
CCRCs present a unique challenge for emergency preparedness because they function as both residential communities and healthcare providers. When visiting communities, consider asking about and observing the following emergency-preparedness topics:
- Are buildings well maintained and tidy? Hallways and exits should be clear of obstructions that could block escape routes during a fire or other emergency.
- Verify that an up-to-date evacuation plan exists and that it includes all staff and residents across independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing areas. Ask how often drills are conducted.
- Ask about plans for full relocation in case of major events—hurricanes, flooding, or other disasters—not just localized incidents.
- Are built-in safety systems present—alternative exits, alarms, fire doors, sprinklers—and how frequently are they inspected and tested?
- Because many residential fires are caused by smoking and because flames are especially hazardous around oxygen tanks, inquire about smoking policies, designated smoking areas, and any supervision protocols for residents who smoke.
The health, happiness, and safety of residents are top priorities at most CCRCs. When touring, management should answer safety and emergency-preparedness questions openly and provide relevant information and statistics. If staff are evasive or dismissive about these issues, that should be considered a serious red flag—and potentially a deal breaker—when choosing a community.