Senior Living Mutual Aid

Industry unites during L.A. fire evacuations

By Amy Reinholds on Jan 24, 2025 in News, Senior Living

As nursing homes and assisted living communities were evacuated during the Los Angeles wildfires, industry members reached out to seek and offer help, matching residents with available space to create stability during a chaotic time.

More than 1,500 residents were relocated to other care communities, hotels, vacation rentals and private residences, as reported in the LAist last week. Since the wildfires in L.A. County started on Jan. 7, at least 70 long-term care communities have been evacuated.

LeadingAge California sent out a call for mutual aid on social media, stating that they were helping coordinate placements for residents of evacuated member communities in Southern California. LeadingAge also was seeking furniture, food and emergency supplies.

Available space for evacuated residents

The responses to help others in the industry came quickly, according to McKnight’s Senior Living News. “Within hours of stories of senior living and care communities evacuating residents amid flames and chaos, those unaffected by the tragedy began to broadcast their ability to help their counterparts in need.”

Yardi client Cogir Senior Living reached out on social media to offer 60 days of free housing to seniors who were displaced by the fires: “Our goal is to provide a safe, comforting space where they can find stability and support during this challenging time.”

LeadingAge disaster relief fund

LeadingAge is also accepting donations for a Disaster Relief Fund for its members. As of last week, the organization knew of five communities that had evacuated more than 750 residents. Also, they were aware of 13 staff members who had lost their homes.

“To date, we have heard of no deaths,” LeadingAge California President and CEO Jeanee Parker Martin shared on Jan. 8, “but we have heard of major devastation, displaced staff, loss of homes and other horrors created by the fires. We know this is not over, and many member organizations will need support in the days and weeks ahead.”

Looking to the future

Last week, LeadingAge California posted on social media that the organization continues to advocate for a long-term care mutual aid plan across the state that prioritizes residents of assisted living and skilled nursing care during disaster incidents. “Without a Long-Term Care Mutual Aid Plan across California, we put lives at stake each time there is a major emergency event.”

The California Department of Public Health includes currently evacuated skilled nursing facilities on its health facility evacuation list. The California Department of Social Services includes currently evacuated assisted living communities on its Community Care Licensing Division evacuation list.