Local Care Homes Step In: Aegis Living Opens Short-Term Rooms for Seniors Hit by Washington Floods

Immediate help for seniors displaced by floods

Aegis Living is opening short-term housing and care for older adults forced from their homes by the recent floods in Washington State. The company says it is making several respite rooms available at multiple communities across the region to give displaced seniors a safe place to stay while they sort out longer-term plans.

Flooding has left many older residents without safe homes

Heavy rains and swollen rivers over the past week have driven emergency crews to issue evacuations in parts of western Washington. Road closures, power outages and water damage have affected both coastal towns and inland river communities, leaving some homes uninhabitable and others cut off.

Seniors are especially at risk after floods. Mobility limits, medical needs and fewer options for quick moves mean older adults can be stuck without shelter or support. That vulnerability is what pushed care providers and local authorities to prioritize short-term places for seniors.

Where Aegis is placing seniors and what it will provide

Aegis Living has activated its emergency protocol in Washington and says it is offering respite placements at six of its communities across the state. The company cites locations serving the greater Seattle area, Everett, Tacoma, Bellingham and nearby suburbs. In total, Aegis reports roughly 40 short-term openings are being reserved for people displaced by the floods.

These stays are intended to be temporary. Aegis describes them as respite placements — short-term residential stays that include the basics most seniors need: a private or semiprivate room, three meals a day, assistance with daily tasks like bathing and dressing, medication oversight, and access to on-site nursing staff for routine health needs.

Staffing for the emergency placements will use existing care teams supplemented by extra aides and on-call nurses where needed. The company says social workers will also help new arrivals connect with local relief groups and case workers to plan what comes next after the respite stay.

How this eases pressure on families and emergency services

For families and emergency crews, these short-term placements give breathing room. They remove the immediate need to find a rapid hotel stay or a complicated medical transport plan. For many older adults, moving into a staffed community for a few days or weeks offers safety and consistent care while repairs or relocations are arranged.

Local emergency management officials are coordinating with Aegis and non-profit relief groups so placements go to the people who need them most — seniors who cannot safely remain at home and who do not have close family able to care for them.

Who can get help and how to arrange a stay

Eligibility is focused on seniors who were displaced by the flooding and whose health needs can be managed in a non-acute care setting. That generally means people who need help with daily activities or medication oversight, but not those who require hospital-level treatment.

Families or caregivers should contact the nearest Aegis Living community by phone to ask about available respite openings. If a senior is registered with local emergency services, county emergency managers and relief volunteers can also request a placement on their behalf. Aegis says it will work with local agencies to arrange transportation in cases where roads are passable and ambulances are not needed.

Costs vary depending on length of stay and level of services. Aegis is prioritizing flood-displaced seniors and has said it will coordinate with county relief funds and community organizations to reduce barriers for those who cannot pay out of pocket. Specific billing details are handled case by case when a placement is confirmed.

Voices from the response and where to turn for more support

“Our communities are part of these neighborhoods, and we want to help our neighbors get back on their feet,” said a spokesperson for Aegis Living. “We’re preparing rooms, staff and social services to support older adults who have lost access to safe housing because of the floods.”

A county emergency official added, “Partnering with local care providers gives us immediate options for seniors who need a safe place to stay. It’s a vital link between emergency sheltering and longer-term recovery.”

Those seeking help should start by calling their county emergency operations center, local Red Cross chapter, or the nearest Aegis Living community. Community aging services and local faith-based relief groups are also organizing support for seniors impacted by the flooding.

Sources

• prnewswire.com