Seniors in Houston's independent living facilities are enduring extreme weather conditions as recent wild weather puts their resilience to the test.

Seniors in Houston's independent living facilities are enduring extreme weather conditions as recent wild weather puts their resilience to the test.

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Independent living facilities for seniors operate without the stringent oversight mandated for nursing homes or assisted living centers, posing challenges during weather emergencies.

Rosie Powell, 71, has been without AC in her Palisades of Inwood apartment since June 7, enduring sweltering conditions with only a small portable fan from Walmart to alleviate the 87-degree Fahrenheit heat.

Having moved to Palisades of Inwood a decade ago for its affordability and community atmosphere, Powell reflects on the lack of oversight compared to medical care facilities. "Nobody comes here and checks on us," she laments.

Unlike nursing homes and assisted living centers, which are mandated to meet storm readiness criteria, independent living complexes like Palisades of Inwood are not required to adhere to such regulations. This distinction leaves residents vulnerable, especially during Texas' active hurricane seasons.

Council Member Amy Peck underscores the disparity, noting that while marketed to seniors, independent complexes operate similarly to regular apartments. Many residents, like those at Palisades of Inwood, include low-income individuals reliant on medications and with limited mobility.

Powell's concerns amplify during emergencies. Her AC outage, affecting multiple neighbors, underscores the risks posed by extended power outages amidst Houston's scorching summers. Despite receiving portable AC units from their landlord, residents struggle to endure the triple-digit heat.

Latasha Washington, manager of Palisades of Inwood, declined to comment on the situation.

Chronic health issues among seniors exacerbate concerns during power outages, impacting their ability to manage medications and life-saving devices. State Senator Molly Cook emphasizes the risks, highlighting dehydration as a significant threat, especially in humid conditions.

Recent storms, including the May derecho, exposed vulnerabilities across Houston, with many facilities ill-prepared for prolonged outages. Unlike medical care facilities mandated to maintain generators and emergency supplies, independent living communities face greater challenges due to budget constraints.

Chuck Lalonde, from Belmont Village Senior Living, underscores the rigorous preparations required for assisted-living facilities, contrasting with the lower costs of independent living options like Houston Heights Tower.

Linda Holder of The Housing Corporation, overseeing Houston Heights Tower, emphasizes their focus on independence while acknowledging their limits in meeting medical needs. Despite this, they stock extra provisions and provide cooling centers during emergencies.

Hope Aguirre, property manager at Houston Heights Tower, describes efforts during outages to ensure resident safety, relocating those on higher floors to cooler areas.

The challenges faced by seniors in independent living facilities highlight the need for improved regulations and emergency preparedness to safeguard vulnerable populations during extreme weather events.

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