### Rosie Powell's Plight: Seniors in Independent Living Face Challenges Without AC
Rosie Powell, 71, has endured nearly a month without air conditioning in her apartment. "I’m sitting here in the living room now with my little portable fan that I bought from Walmart," she said one June afternoon, with her thermostat reading 87 degrees Fahrenheit.
Powell moved to Palisades of Inwood, a senior living complex in North Houston, a decade ago, finding it cheaper and easier than maintaining her own property. She also enjoys the camaraderie of other elderly residents. However, the lack of oversight in such facilities has come at a significant cost. "Nobody comes over here and sees about us," Powell lamented.
### Gaps in Senior Care Regulation
There is a stark contrast in the regulation of different types of senior living facilities. Centers offering medical care, such as nursing homes and assisted living centers, must adhere to strict guidelines from Texas Health and Human Services for emergency preparedness. These regulations do not extend to independent living communities like Palisades of Inwood.
Independent living complexes, though marketed to those over 55, are typically not required to provide special care to seniors. "It’s just like a regular apartment complex," said Houston City Council Member Amy Peck. She expressed concern that many residents are not as independent as those in specialized care facilities, especially with an active hurricane season ahead. "There’s a bunch of senior citizens living in an apartment complex with no accountability for what could happen in a disaster," she added.
### Struggles in the Heat
Powell's AC went out on June 7, affecting nearly a dozen of her neighbors. The landlord provided portable AC units, but they are insufficient for Houston's triple-digit summer heat. "I just try to brace myself and have enough food and water around here to take care of me," Powell said. "It's just not what we were told it was going to be." Latasha Washington, manager of Palisades of Inwood, declined to comment.
### Health Risks for Seniors
Seniors, even those living independently, often have chronic health problems and rely on power for life-saving devices and medication storage. State Senator Molly Cook, who holds a Master’s in Public Health, emphasized the risks of dehydration for the elderly. "Especially if it’s humid, that could be lethal to them," Cook said.
Storms in May, particularly the derecho, left many without power or AC for days, including senior care communities. It highlighted the preparedness gaps for hurricane season. "Folks were falling between the gaps," Cook noted.
### Preparedness in Assisted Living
Centers offering medical care must follow strict guidelines, including having a generator, sufficient food and water for three days, and an evacuation plan. Chuck Lalonde, senior vice president of operations for Belmont Village Senior Living, stated, "It’s a pretty strict list that we follow, so we’re not reinventing the wheel every hurricane season."
However, these centers can cost up to $7,000 a month, making them unaffordable for many seniors. Independent living communities, such as Houston Heights Tower, are much cheaper, with rent for a one-bedroom apartment around $750 a month.
### Limited Support in Independent Living
Linda Holder, executive director of The Housing Corporation, which manages eight independent living communities in Houston, acknowledged the limitations. "We really can’t take care of people’s medical needs," she said. "There’s always 911. We are very high profile with the fire department." Despite this, they stock extra food and water and provide a cooling center during power outages.
During the four-day power outage after the May 16 derecho, Hope Aguirre, property manager of Houston Heights Tower, brought residents from the top floors to lower levels. "I bring them down and they can either be in the hallways or the community room here so they won’t get scared," Aguirre said.
### Call for Policy Changes
Council Member Peck is exploring local policy changes to regulate independent living communities. "There needs to be some changes to our city ordinances and possibly state law to ensure a minimum standard of care at these apartment complexes," she said.
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