Proactive plans address bad weather, supply chain issues
The last two years serve as a reminder that as difficult as it is to predict the weather, it’s impossible to predict the future.
As our nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, related challenges such as global supply chain issues face every single American. At the same time, winter weather and storms also can disrupt daily operations for businesses and individuals.
Thankfully Country Meadows’ campus teams already have plans in place to enable co-workers to continue delivering quality care and services despite challenges. Our goal is for residents not to notice changes.
Dining Services departments keep an ample supply of food and drinking water on hand in the event of a weather or other emergency. According to Country Meadows’ Vice President of Dining and Culinary Services, Katherine Thomas, RD, LDN, “We have learned we cannot order food the way we used to. Our directors are changing their workflows to anticipate delayed deliveries, and our emergency food supplies are being maintained to the strictest degree.”
She continues. “Country Meadows works with a Group Purchasing Organization that orders a high volume of food items, allowing our communities to receive food deliveries on a consistent basis, even during these challenging times. This partnership, in concert with Pennsylvania’s and Maryland’s geographic location near ports and strong agricultural markets, helps to keep our shelves stocked.”
A creative group of co-workers and residents writes Country Meadows’ tagline, “Life gets better” in snow.
Keeping the cupboards full is crucial, especially during a winter storm or other severe weather event when Dining departments also prepare meals for co-workers staying on campus to continue delivering resident services.
When severe weather is expected, co-workers review plans and run down checklists to ensure the campus is fully prepared for the unexpected, in addition to meal planning.
- Every campus has backup generators on-site to maintain core systems such as heat, cooking, refrigeration and care equipment.
- Arrangements are made with the pharmacy provider for deliveries of medications and medical supplies.
- Contingency plans in which some co-workers may stay on campus to assist residents for days at a time when co-workers’ ability to safely travel to and from work is affected. Family members can rest assured that their loved ones will continue to receive care and in all likelihood, will notice no difference in staffing than any other day.
- Clearing snow and ice to keep campus access open during severe weather is critical to ensure that ambulances and other emergency personnel can reach buildings. Experienced maintenance teams on every campus have equipment and supplies to keep campus roads clear and safe.
According to Chairman & CEO Michael Leader, “I’m proud that our co-workers provide above and beyond care for our residents, no matter the weather conditions.”