Hurricane Ian is expected to strengthen to a category 4 hurricane and is tracking toward the St Petersburg area with impacts expected by the middle of the week. Regardless of Ian’s exact track and intensity, there is a risk of dangerous storm surge, and hurricane force winds.

Our primary goal is the ongoing safety of our residents. After much consideration we have decided to proceed with a full evacuation of The Pointe’s Residents and designated staff. While no situation is 100%, due to the property’s elevation and the significant risk of storm surge flooding we are making the decision under guidance of the County to evacuate to our sister Community, The Willows, located in Oxford Florida.

At this time, there are no calls for evacuations for any of our other Florida communities (The Collier, The Landmark, The Willows & The Reserve at Citrus). The plan for these communities is to shelter in place.

We are monitoring the storm and have a detailed emergency preparedness plan in place to try and address all aspects of an emergency situation. Our communities are equipped with water, food, onsite or ready-to-deploy generators, and supplies, including an adequate supply of necessary medical equipment and supplies to care for residents. For details on our shelter in place plans. Please refer to our Sheltering in Place Emergency Preparedness Plan located on the right side of our Emergency Preparedness page.

Shelter in place: https://inspiritseniorliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Sheltering-in-place.pdf

Evacuation Process:

Departure – In addition to our community vehicles, we have contracted bus transportation which are scheduled to begin evacuating Residents and Staff at 2:00pm Tuesday September 27^th. If you have pre-arranged to take your loved one home with you for the storm, please plan to pick up your loved one no later than 10:00am Tuesday September 27^th.

Residents may take only one medium sized suitcase of which our community staff have assisted preparing for them to include supplies that will last them for up to seventy-two hours. Each Resident has been equipped with an emergency go bag containing the following items:

1. Two (2) towels and two (2) wash cloths
2. Three to five (3-5) sets of comfortable clothes (shorts, shirts, slacks, etc.)
3. Three to five (3-5How l) pair of undergarments or incontinence supplies (if resident is not enrolled in personal solutions plan)
4. Three to five (3-5) pairs of socks
5. Comfortable shoes
6. Two (pair) of pajamas
7. One (1) toothbrush and toothpaste
8. One travel size basic toiletry including shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, deodorant, denture cleaner, razor and shaving cream if applicable.
9. One (1) comb or hairbrush
10. Hearing aids, and hearing aids batteries (if applicable)
11. Glow sticks and/or mini flashlight with batteries
12.  An updated Medications List (if not receiving medication’s assistance from our staff).

Upon evacuation, the Executive Director or Designee will perform an apartment check to make sure no one remains in the Community. Accurate records will be kept of each residents assigned bus and departure/arrival time.  The Scheduled duration of the trip is roughly an hour and a half but is subject to take longer in the event of traffic. The Pointe’s Executive Director or Designee will notify you of your loved ones safe arrival to the host community by telephone as soon as possible.

Arrival – Upon arrival, the Willows will welcome your loved one with open arms. Residents and Staff of The Pointe will be greeted with a light snack and refreshments while getting checked and escorted to their accommodations. As far as accommodation, the Willows will assign up to three residents to any vacant rooms in their community. Each Resident of The Pointe will be provided with an air mattress, a sheet set, pillow, and blankets. Although we recognize this is not the accommodation, they are used to our goal to make sure that our residents are comfortable, have a place to rest, make sure they are fed good and that they get their necessary medications and continued care.

About Our Host Community:

The Willows is located in Lecanto Florida well above sea level and any potential impacts to Flooding. The Willows is a sister community that offers both assisted living and memory care residences Evacuating to a sister community is most ideal as we have the same rules, the same goals, and the same supplies. The Executive Director and Staff at the Willows have been notified of our arrival and excited to welcome us with open arms to their community. The Willows is equipped with ample water, food, an onsite ready-to-deploy generator, and goods, including an adequate supply of necessary medical equipment and supplies to care for all the Pointe’s Residents and Staff. In addition to the essentials residents of The Pointe will enjoy their host community’s regular activity programing and routine schedules to minimize anxiety and ensure residents are keeping entertained and busy. We will continue to update you throughout the evacuation process via email and/or our Emergency Notification Network. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Executive Director or our host community’s Executive Director is also available to answer any questions you may have.

Address: 4725 Bellwether Ln, Oxford, FL 34484

Executive Director: Pam Campbell

Mobile: 352-430-0076

Phone: 352-430-0076

Web: https://inspiritseniorliving.com/thewillows

Returning Home to The Pointe:

Our return date to The Pointe Community is not certain as of yet and will depend on both the condition of the building and the States reopening of major roads and highways. Prior to the residents return to The Pointe, the Maintenance Director will be responsible for contacting appropriate resources that will ascertain structural integrity of the building and will assure that it is safe for residents return.  This information will be conveyed to the Executive Director who is responsible for coordinating the return of the residents to the community. Please be aware that in the event the community has sustained damages it may take some time for your loved ones to return home. In the event of an extended stay the Willows will continue to provide accommodations for our community as needed. That being said, the Willows will be open for family visitation once the storm passes, in the event of an extended stay you are welcome to visit your loved one at the Willows community.

Additional Questions:

1. Does my loved one have to evacuate, with the community?
   1. Upon move-in to your community all residents & families were asked if in the event of an emergency whether you would like to take your loved one home for the storm or whether or not your loved one would be evacuating with the community. At this time if you have not pre-arranged to pick up your loved one, we will assume they will be evacuating with the community.
2. What is the best form of communication at the host community?
   1. Your Executive Director will maintain in constant communication with you and send regular updates throughout the evacuation order.
3. How long will my loved one stay at their Host Community/Return home?
   1. The Pointe is scheduled to depart The Tuesday September 27^th at 2:00pm. Prior to the residents return to the community, the Maintenance Director will be responsible for contacting appropriate resources that will ascertain structural integrity of the building and will assure that it is safe for residents return. Please be aware that in the event the community has sustained damages it may take some time for your loved ones to return home. In the event of an extended stay the Willows will continue to provide accommodations for our community as needed.
4. How will my loved one get to their Host community?
   1. All communities have established bus transportation and will evacuate both Residents and designated Staff.
5. Where will my loved one sleep?
   1. The Pointe’s Residents will sleep in vacant suites at The Willows community. Suites at the Willows range from 350-900 square feet. There are enough vacant rooms at our host community to accommodate three residents per room. Each resident will be provided with an air mattress, sheet sets, a pillow and blankets.
6. Are there enough Supplies?
   1. Absolutely, The Pointe is ready and prepared with enough supplies for up to seventy-two hours for all residents and staff in addition to the supplies ready and available at our host community.
7. Is there any additional cost with evacuating?
   1. No, there will be no additional charges to evacuate. The only additional charges that may incur would be any necessary supplies purchased for your loved ones go bags.
8. Can my loved one bring their pet?
   1. Of course! The Willows is pet friendly community and have made the necessary accommodation for your loved one’s pets during the storm.

We hope that we were able to answer all of your questions and please do not hesitate to reach out for additional information. Thank you for your support and cooperation in assisting us as we strive to ensure our residents and our staff are protected and prepared over the course of the next week.