Gulf Coast Village

There is something quite magical about the metamorphosis of butterflies - each captivating stage that transforms a curious caterpillar into a Monarch butterfly with bright, golden wings.At Palmview, a specialized assisted living community in Cape Coral, these butterflies have become a source of joy for more than 45 memory support residents over the age of 62.Since the pandemic, Palmviews Memory Support team saw the need for more engaging and uplifting activities for residents.In October, Palmview created a special environment that would liven up seating areas on the memory support floor. Specifically, a few spacious terraces that residents use to enjoy a warm coastal breeze.By January, memory support welcomed a new bocce ball court, putting green, and Palmview-favorite Monarch butterfly garden.What started off with the scattering of eggs on two milkweed plants is now a thriving garden with caterpillars, chrysalises and butterflies expanding across the terrace."They'll be all around my head," joked 94-year-old Bella Kontinos, a memory support resident. "The butterflies, I just love them. I really do."Bella moved to Palmview in December and has not stopped finding ways to help wherever she can. With her infectious energy and willingness to help, the garden has quickly flourished to life.In the last several months, team members and residents have poured time and resources into the project, caring for their tiny tenants in all stages of transformation."One day, I looked down and I couldn't believe it. It was double the size," recalled Bella about the monarch caterpillars. "It's wonderful. It really is."To share more of these moments, staff has started to transfer chrysalises into terrariums to place throughout memory support hallways and bedrooms.In a matter of 7 to 9 days, residents are enchanted by a breathtaking butterfly emerging from its cocoon, which then gets released onto the terrace garden.With new special memories created on the memory floor, many residents find joy in recalling pastimes of family gardens and butterflies from childhood.Overall, the therapeutic experience has inspired new hope for assisted senior living. A hope that residents see the beauty in their own lifelong transformation for a better, enriched life at Palmview.About the AuthorBarry Sonustun is the memory support program manager at Gulf Coast Village, Cape Corals premier continuing care retirement community, and spearheaded the efforts for a new bocce ball court, putting green, butterfly garden and other enrichment activities at Palmview.Submitted By: Palmview at Gulf Coast Village- click for more information*

By Ryan KellerAs Southwest Floridians, weve seen storms of all shapes and sizes roll through our skies and over our beautiful beaches. From Hurricane Ian to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, weve had enough close-up experiences to keep hurricane preparedness top of mind as the 2025 hurricane season gets underway.Residential communities and businesses that have endured multiple storms take great pride in being prepared. At Gulf Coast Village in Cape Coral, for example, the life plan community has weathered 36 years of Floridas fiercest storms, yet not once has it been forced to evacuate residents. The same goes for The Preserve in Fort Myers; neither community has ever evacuated residents or had to worry about flooding.Building strong, storm-ready senior communities is important because the safety of residents who call the communities home is a priority in regular times and during weather emergencies. Leadership teams at Gulf Coast Village and The Preserve follow a proven hurricane preparedness plan, managing every detail with care, professionalism and compassion. That commitment to safety gives peace of mind to residents and their loved ones. They rest assured knowing there is a formal plan in place the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), which covers risk assessment, policies and procedures, communications, training and testing. Leadership reviews the CEMP annually to assess protocols, update strategies and needs, and stock up on emergency supplies like generator fuel, medications, food, water and other items required for post-storm operations.Team members continue working as storms approach. Before and during Hurricane Milton, for example, residents at Gulf Coast Village heard daily overhead communication announcements and updates. Maintenance teams proactively shut down elevators to prevent damage if there was a power surge. Residents who rely on elevators or have difficulty on stairs were in their units before winds grew strong enough to knock out power. Resident checks continued throughout the afternoon and evening, as is standard protocol.The home health team contacted all clients who did not currently live at The Preserve or Gulf Coast Village campuses, ensuring they had proper supplies and that their homes were secured. Staff kept a running list of who was sheltering in place and who was evacuating, and to where.I have lived here for Irma, Ian and Milton, and I sincerely believe that there is no safer place in Cape Coral to be than Gulf Coast Village, said Margaret D., a resident of Gulf Coast Village. During the hurricanes, the staff went above and beyond anyones expectations to take care of all of the residents. I cant say enough about how well-protected we are!With the physical safety of residents under control, Gulf Coast Village and The Preserve strived to ease stress levels of residents during Milton by keeping their spirits high through engaging activities like morning exercise, The Hits of Motown and word games over a fresh cup of coffee. Afternoon activities included card games and a root beer float social, followed by a marathon game of bingo. For residents who do best with one-on-one engagement, an activities assistant conducted room visits with residents. Meanwhile, independent living residents kept themselves busy by playing Wii Bowling and enjoyed their weekly Wednesday After Dinner Social prior to Miltons landfall. They enjoyed Hurricane Happy Hour on the day of the storm, which featured special cocktails. Pastor Cheryl Leftwich was celebrated with a birthday party as the storm approached.Hearing testimonies directly from residents reassures leadership that proactive safety measures are doing their job keeping residents safe and secure. Independent living resident Millie H. passionately shared, My house flooded during Ian, and thats why I moved to Gulf Coast Village! I felt very comfortable here during Milton so much better than my previous experience.As the 2025 hurricane season fires up, we all hope Southwest Florida stays out of the forecast cone. If a storm comes our way, though, well be ready a plan is already in place.About the author Ryan Keller is the vice president of senior living operations for Volunteers of America National Services, the sponsoring organization of Gulf Coast Village and The Preserve. To learn more about Gulf Coast Village, call 239-510-8712 or visit GulfCoastVillage.org. To learn more about The Preserve, call 239-722-6167 or visit ThePreserveVOA.org.

A Taste of HomeFamily recipes tell our life's best stories.Sometimes, all it takes is a taste of home to unlock the warm, familiar feelings of being with loved ones. We continue to savor each bite of grandmas famous casserole as if it were the first time.These special recipes are the ones we save over the years. Whether scribbled down on a piece of torn notebook paper or recited by memory, every family seems to have their favorite go-to meals.Its what inspired Gulf Coast Village, a continuing care community in Cape Coral, to publish their own best crowd-pleasing dishes and dessert recipes from senior residents.Its a piece of their past written down on paper, Bill Djerf said, an independent living resident at Gulf Coast Village. Its a recipe that warms their heart and brings back good memories.Djerf is a firm believer that the way to a persons heart is through their stomach.When he mentioned the idea of collecting recipes for a community cookbook, the residents, staff members and volunteers were excited to share their most cherished family meals.Younger staff and volunteers would sometimes say, this looks so good, or Id like to cook this, Djerf adds. The older residents would then tell them about their family recipe they used to bake all the time that they learned from their mother.In a matter of months ,Djerf and a small team gathered up 230 recipes and sent them to get published as their first Gulf Coast Village cookbook.When life gives you lemons, make lemon meringue pieLemon Meringue Pie | Resident Dewie Robinson1 9 pastry pie shell 2 cup Boiling water1 cup Sugar 3 Egg yolks, beaten6 Tbsp Corn starch 1 Tbsp Butter1 Tbsp Flour 1 tsp Lemon peel ,grated tsp Salt 3 Tbsp Lemon juiceMeringue3 Egg whites 6 Tbsp SugarGood food has a way of bringing people together. We can feel immersed in exciting, new cultures or transported back to our fondest memories.The best cookbooks are exactly the same. They can be our life manuals.Inside Gulf Coast Villages cookbook, Our Favorite Recipes ,people find more than just delicious homecooked meals."I sold several books just because of the helpful hints in each section, said Djerf. I sold one to a lady who said she doesn't cook, but she liked the helpful hints so much that she bought it for that.Between more than 100 pages of unique appetizers, dishes and desserts, each section is divided by a list of helpful tips.For the main dish recipes section, the helpful hints include one pound of boneless chicken equals approximately three cups and scaling a fish is easier if vinegar is rubbed on the scales first."A lot of gals say they bought it for their granddaughters and great granddaughters for the recipes, helpful hints and bonus pages in the back, which cover tips for things like baking bread, added Djerf.The last eight pages of the cookbook cover important pantry basics as well as tips for cooking measurements, terms and napkin folding.Food for ThoughtIcing will remain where you put it if you sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar first.- Baking Perfect CakesFrom creating a community-inspired cookbook to popular resident cooking classes, its safe to say food plays a big part in life at Gulf Coast Village.But creating the ultimate senior living experience is more than just food. Its focusing on the unique, special needs of each individual.That's where the Gulf Coast Village Foundation comes in. Grouped into four areas of need general, benevolent ,educational and spiritual each fund of the foundation helps improve the lives of residents within the senior community.The foundation provides a lot of things here for Gulf Coast Village. Just to name a few, they've bought specialized equipment for the care center, stuff for the gym and they just remodeled our caf, statesDjerf.Proceeds from each $15 cookbook goes towards the Gulf Coast Village Foundation and providing the best quality of life for older adults in Southwest Florida.To purchase the Gulf Coast Village cookbook, visit gulfcoastvillage.com.

By Sarah RichardWe all have many chapters in our lives, with changes and decisions to be made as we turn lifes pages.Expectations of older residents about how they want to live after they retire have changed significantly in recent generations, with older people healthier and living longer than their predecessors. By 2030, more than 20% of US residents will be aged 65 or older, rising to about 22%, or an estimated 89 million Americans, by 2050. The definition of senior living has also changed in recent decades, from simply providing basic housing and health care for older adults to senior living communities with leisure facilities, activities, optional support and health care. Todays senior living communities are designed to be hubs that meet the physical, social and emotional needs of older residents. University of Central Floridas Rosen College of Hospitality Management recently published a study in the Journal of Hospitality Management examining decision-making of older adults to move into senior living communities.The study is one of the first to look at motivational factors, barriers and relationships that impact these decisions. According to the study, considerations that might push older residents to consider relocation include:      Housing and property obstacles, including home maintenance, cost and accommodations for physical limitations      Economic challenges, such as rising cost of living and home costs and maintenance      Social and family matters, such as needing extra help, social isolation, fears about safety      Health concerns, including physical and mental healthFactors the study identified that might draw or pull older adults to move include:      Social activities and engagement      Chance to consolidate expenses      Geographical location, including proximity to shopping, health care and family and friends      Feeling safe from crime or falling      Available amenities, including transportation, health care and ability to bring their own belongingsAdditional influences include the cost and stress of relocation, fear of the unknown/change, distance from families and lack of understanding about options in senior living communities.Making the decision to move can be daunting but beneficial. Researchers at the University of Chicago study in March 2024 found reasons relocating may be a decision worth making. The study found that for the first two years after moving into a senior living community, residents lived longer, benefited from greater rehabilitation and preventive care, and received more home health services. And most of them wonder why they didnt move sooner!To decide if a senior living community is right for you, take the time to determine what the good life means to you. What do you want a typical day or week to look like? Here are additional considerations when making this major decision:      What is the staff like, including friendliness and responsiveness?      What amenities and activities do you want, including transportation, fitness center and classes, housekeeping and laundry, recreational activities and clubs?      What is the community culture and atmosphere, including social events, outings, resident demographics and age range?      How much will it cost? Compare your current living costs to the costs of a senior community, including additional costs like insurance and payment options.      What policies and procedures do they have, such as guest visits and pet policies?      How safe and secure do you feel? Does it have controlled access and emergency systems?      Does it have a desirable location and accessibility, including proximity to family and friends, access to the community, and features for various mobility needs?      What are your current and anticipated health care needs? Is a fully independent community the best choice given your health needs, or would a community that also offers assisted living and higher levels of health care be a better choice?      What is your desired level of independence? Do you want household help, availability of meals and other support?Theres a lot to consider but moving to a senior living community designed around your definition of the good life could provide the rich, engaging, low maintenance and worry-free lifestyle you desire.About the Author Sarah Richard is the executive director of Gulf Coast Village, Cape Corals only life plan community. To learn more about Gulf Coast Village, visit GulfCoastVillage.org or call 239-510-8712.

By Sarah RichardThe calm ocean waves along the shore of our beloved Southwest Florida beaches are a sight that stirs the soul its a reminder of the peace and tranquility that makes our region feel like home. Its even apparent where the Caloosahatchee meets the Gulf, the two waterways connecting and forming an even greater world of life. Similar to life, the beloved river doesnt just form a straight line it spreads throughout neighborhoods, dipping into creeks and canals. In a way, water is an art form. Take Southwest Florida, for example. Just like the Caloosahatchee, art flows through our region in so many ways, from murals depicting the areas history, to weekly art walks in beautiful downtown Fort Myers. The art that surrounds us and the virtuosos holding the paintbrushes deserves a chance in the spotlight.Art galleries are just one of many ways to celebrate and pay respect to the talented artists that flood Southwest Florida. Presented by Gulf Coast Village and the North Fort Myers Arts Association (NFMAA), the Gulf Coast Gallery, serves to connect artists and community members through rotating art exhibits. Its upcoming installation, The Essence of Water, will celebrate water in all of its forms calm, powerful and lifegiving. The exhibit launches on Wednesday, Aug. 13, and features Jasmine, owner of Jasmines Art n Designz Studio, an acclaimed artist of more than five decades.Jasmine, a Quebec native, first picked up a paintbrush at the tender age of six and was an award-winning artist throughout her adolescent years. Her artwork could be found hanging in the halls of her primary school, a reflection of her hard work and artistic intelligence. Her love and motivation to continue creating has persevered over the last several decades, even when taking a decade-long hiatus to live in Haiti as a missionary, where she met and adopted her daughter. Her time in the Caribbean inspired her to dive deeper into her passion for art, but also to further explore her philanthropic side.I dont want my art to just be some pretty pictures on a canvas, said Jasmine. With every purchase made through her studio, 5% of proceeds are donated directly to impoverished children through her connections with missionaries across the world, including those in South America, the Middle East, Haiti and more. Wherever help is needed, Jasmine wants to provide it. And what better way than to connect her two passions?Art is more than just a passion for Jasmine. Its her life. For more than 30 years, shes been a full-time artist who explores all mediums. She finds the most joy and fulfillment in the creative process, which speaks to her true love for the talent she recognizes as a gift. Her creative process is a journey. Its detailed, but there's a freedom to it that resembles lifes journeys. Jasmine writes poetry to go with each work of art sometimes the poem is written before the art is created, or the art comes first. It all depends on where the process takes her. The same applies to the medium she chooses and the amount of time it takes her to complete a project. Her varied process results in artwork that covers all aspects of life, from nature and water to portraits and real-life scenes. Jasmine describes her work as eclectic, soulful and emotional. Through each piece, she invites the viewer on a personal journey, one that she hopes will stir and spark a meaningful connection.I hope that people feel seen when they see my art, shared Jasmine. I want people to feel inspired. Everyone has different successes, different failures and different memories, and my deepest desire is that when they stand in front of my art, one of those pieces will stir a feeling inside of them and make them happy.Jasmine will be displaying several paintings at The Essence of Water this August, some of which will be available for purchase. Attendees can enjoy wine, cheese and the beautiful artwork that Jasmine, the NFMAA and Gulf Coast Village resident artists have created. The exhibits grand opening is from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, at Gulf Coast Village, located at 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. in Cape Coral. The exhibit will be available to view from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 28.To register for The Essence of Water, visit GulfCoastVillage.org/Event/Artist-Meet-and-Greet-The-Essence-of-Water-Art-Exhibit. To view Jasmines artwork, visit JasminesArtNDesignz.com.About the author Sarah Richard is the executive director of Gulf Coast Village, Cape Corals only life plan community. Visit GulfCoastVillage.org or call 239-510-8712 to learn more.

By Sarah RichardEach May, Older Americans Month is observed to recognize the older adults in our lives. The 2025 theme, Flip the Script on Aging, focuses on transforming the way society perceives, talks about and approaches aging. This theme encourages Americans to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions about the older generation, while also shining a light on the opportunities for connections, exploration and purpose that we discover as we age.Aging is a beautiful thing. With each day and each moment, you obtain a wealth of knowledge that can only come from a life of lived experiences. The thrill of life doesnt have to stop once you transition to a resort-style senior living community. In fact, its the perfect time for life to become more exciting.Transitioning into a senior living community is a unique period in your life youre setting sail on a new way of living and seeking new, enriching experiences. With a different way of living comes a wave of fresh opportunities a chance to try that hobby you've never had the time to explore, to make a new friend or to unlock hidden passions.  Moving into a new community is a perfect opportunity for you to step out of your comfort zone alongside a community of like-minded individuals. When the time is right, entering a resort-style senior living community poses several benefits for retirees seeking a new experience. In a life plan community, you have the freedom to adopt a new daily routine, fall in love with a new hobby and discover lifelong friendships. Most of all, making the move to a life plan community ensures that youre taking the right steps to provide yourself with a new quality of life.What is a life plan community?Life plan communities, also known as continuing care retirement communities, are a form of senior living that offer residents the full continuum of care. Life plan communities include independent living, assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing, but older adults can enter a life plan community at any stage and transition to a different level as their needs shift.       Independent living is for retirees who do not require health services but no longer want to bear the burden of home ownership and upkeep, planning the grocery list every day, or the many other things that keep you from spending time doing what you enjoy.      Assisted living is for adults who require help with daily activities, such as dressing or bathing, but also desire the independence and amenities of a life plan community.       Memory support is a safe and controlled environment designed to care for adults experiencing cognitive decline.      Skilled nursing is for adults recovering from an illness or procedure, or those with chronic conditions that require daily attention.Through independence and enriching lifestyles, life plan communities work to break the stigma that often surrounds the concept of senior living communities and the outdated stereotype of a nursing home. Life plan communities are an entirely new way of life, from the activities and events to the people you meet and experiences you gain. Opportunity for connectionSenior living professionals understand that older adults can suffer from depression and anxiety as they age. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, about 4% of adults aged 70 and over have depression. To combat this issue, life plan communities curate robust activity calendars that encourage residents to get out, have fun, and make connections.Socialization leads to increased mental and physical health, which is particularly important for older adults. Spending time with other people, even through a phone call or video conference, promotes sharper memory skills, lowers stress and reduces risk of chronic illnesses, while also providing a sense of purpose. Gulf Coast Village, Cape Corals only life plan community, encourages new residents to attend events so they can meet new people and become more engaged with their new home. Oftentimes, residents will form their own friend group and will continue to participate in activities together in the months and years ahead. Taking the extra step toward socialization in a new environment can be a rewarding experience, leading to increased mental wellness and enjoyed experiences. Regardless of size, life plan communities make socialization convenient for older adults to spend time with one another through a tight-knit environment, robust activities and planned events.Retirement isnt the end of the enriching life youve always lived its the beginning of a new chapter filled with fresh opportunities and meaningful experiences.  At Gulf Coast Village, residents are encouraged to keep pursuing their unique hobbies and share the joy with their neighbors. Residents are invited to collaborate to create their own clubs and activities, building connections with neighbors and friends.Some residents teach art classes, some teach in the woodshop, while others volunteer part-time in our on-campus thrift store or even join a committee.In a life plan community, youre never alone. You are surrounded by fellow retirees also navigating lifes journey.About the authorSarah Richard is the executive director of Gulf Coast Village. To learn more, visit GulfCoastVillage.org or call 239-510-8712.  

By Diana NicolOne of the most valuable things in life is time. Each second, minute and hour count toward something, big or small. In Southwest Florida, volunteerism is embedded in our community. With over 600 nonprofits in Lee County alone, its clear that Southwest Florida has a heart for giving. That generosity, care and patience spans across generations, from adults spending their weekends off work cleaning up our beautiful beaches, to high school students helping out at local food banks after school wraps up for the year.For students at Oasis High School in Cape Coral, theyve chosen to venture over to a local senior living community, Gulf Coast Village, after the final bell rings. Why? To offer support on a subject most Gen Zers consider themselves experts at: technology.Computer Literacy Education Outreach, or CLEO, is a student-run organization at Oasis High. The program initially started in 2022 at Canterbury School in Fort Myers, but it quickly took the community and nation by storm. Since its inception, CLEO has expanded to more than 50 schools in 20 states and has served over 3,000 older adults. Its mission is to empower seniors with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world, helping them stay connected with loved ones and maintain independence.Gulf Coast Village, the only life plan community in Cape Coral, has been working with CLEO students since the summer of 2023, when they welcomed students from Cape Coral High School into the community. When the 2024-25 academic year began, the community began partnering with the Oasis High School division of CLEO. Shya Ruiz, a 2025 graduate of Oasis High, joined the program with a friend in 2023 during its first year at her school. After her first year, she loved it so much that she was elected to the role of president in 2024. I just like the feeling of helping other people when theyre needing help, said Ruiz. The smiles that you get when they finally understand or their problem gets solved...its rewarding.As president, one of her primary responsibilities was scheduling the sessions at Gulf Coast Village. Its an organized system: once a month, a group of five to six student volunteers visits Gulf Coast Village to assist residents. If theyre in need of help, residents can register for a 15-minute time slot. When their time comes, they are matched up with a student to receive specialized one-on-one support for whatever technology issues theyre having. And the possibilities are endless. Whether its needing help getting their printer connected to their cell phone or trying to figure out how to change their profile picture on Instagram, the students are able to help with whatever the residents need. The troubleshooting is diverse. One resident, Bill, had a few finnicky issues with his Samsung cell phone. He needed some help setting up his facial recognition and managing notifications, but his main issue was that when he received a text message, he was unable to find it. After a few minutes with Oasis students, Bill figured out how to access his texts. Now, hell never miss a text from his loving wife, Marguerite.Some residents, like Jayne Jennings, face some challenges with social media, as it continues to be an ever-popular way for retirees to stay connected to their loved ones. Luckily, Zers are social media afficionados. Ava Plainte, a CLEO student, showed Jennings the ropes, and she left the session with a new profile picture and a newfound knowledge of how to favorite photos in her iPhone camera roll.Some issues are a bit trickier, like connecting a printer to a cell phone or clearing out the junk storage of an iPad, while some are simpler, like showing residents how to set a morning alarm or mute an Instagram story they didnt want to see. With each presented issue, the students and residents work together for a solution. Most importantly, the students are compassionate, patient and attentive. They walk the residents seeking help through the process step-by-step so that when the session is over, theyre able to navigate the solution on their own.Opportunities for generations of both older and younger to connect are special. Intergenerational relationships present several benefits, like relationship building and avoiding adolescent egocentrism, but they also present the opportunity to learn. Through CLEO, retirees across the nation have the chance to learn something new every day from the generation that grew up on technology.About the author Diana Nicol is the life enrichment coordinator at Gulf Coast Village, Cape Corals only life plan community. To learn more, visit GulfCoastVillage.org or call 239-510-8712.

There is something quite magical about the metamorphosis of butterflies - each captivating stage that transforms a curious caterpillar into a Monarch butterfly with bright, golden wings.At Palmview, a specialized assisted living community in Cape Coral, these butterflies have become a source of joy for more than 45 memory support residents over the age of 62.Since the pandemic, Palmviews Memory Support team saw the need for more engaging and uplifting activities for residents.In October, Palmview created a special environment that would liven up seating areas on the memory support floor. Specifically, a few spacious terraces that residents use to enjoy a warm coastal breeze.By January, memory support welcomed a new bocce ball court, putting green, and Palmview-favorite Monarch butterfly garden.What started off with the scattering of eggs on two milkweed plants is now a thriving garden with caterpillars, chrysalises and butterflies expanding across the terrace."They'll be all around my head," joked 94-year-old Bella Kontinos, a memory support resident. "The butterflies, I just love them. I really do."Bella moved to Palmview in December and has not stopped finding ways to help wherever she can. With her infectious energy and willingness to help, the garden has quickly flourished to life.In the last several months, team members and residents have poured time and resources into the project, caring for their tiny tenants in all stages of transformation."One day, I looked down and I couldn't believe it. It was double the size," recalled Bella about the monarch caterpillars. "It's wonderful. It really is."To share more of these moments, staff has started to transfer chrysalises into terrariums to place throughout memory support hallways and bedrooms.In a matter of 7 to 9 days, residents are enchanted by a breathtaking butterfly emerging from its cocoon, which then gets released onto the terrace garden.With new special memories created on the memory floor, many residents find joy in recalling pastimes of family gardens and butterflies from childhood.Overall, the therapeutic experience has inspired new hope for assisted senior living. A hope that residents see the beauty in their own lifelong transformation for a better, enriched life at Palmview.About the AuthorBarry Sonustun is the memory support program manager at Gulf Coast Village, Cape Corals premier continuing care retirement community, and spearheaded the efforts for a new bocce ball court, putting green, butterfly garden and other enrichment activities at Palmview.Submitted By: Palmview at Gulf Coast Village- click for more information*

By Ryan KellerAs Southwest Floridians, weve seen storms of all shapes and sizes roll through our skies and over our beautiful beaches. From Hurricane Ian to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, weve had enough close-up experiences to keep hurricane preparedness top of mind as the 2025 hurricane season gets underway.Residential communities and businesses that have endured multiple storms take great pride in being prepared. At Gulf Coast Village in Cape Coral, for example, the life plan community has weathered 36 years of Floridas fiercest storms, yet not once has it been forced to evacuate residents. The same goes for The Preserve in Fort Myers; neither community has ever evacuated residents or had to worry about flooding.Building strong, storm-ready senior communities is important because the safety of residents who call the communities home is a priority in regular times and during weather emergencies. Leadership teams at Gulf Coast Village and The Preserve follow a proven hurricane preparedness plan, managing every detail with care, professionalism and compassion. That commitment to safety gives peace of mind to residents and their loved ones. They rest assured knowing there is a formal plan in place the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), which covers risk assessment, policies and procedures, communications, training and testing. Leadership reviews the CEMP annually to assess protocols, update strategies and needs, and stock up on emergency supplies like generator fuel, medications, food, water and other items required for post-storm operations.Team members continue working as storms approach. Before and during Hurricane Milton, for example, residents at Gulf Coast Village heard daily overhead communication announcements and updates. Maintenance teams proactively shut down elevators to prevent damage if there was a power surge. Residents who rely on elevators or have difficulty on stairs were in their units before winds grew strong enough to knock out power. Resident checks continued throughout the afternoon and evening, as is standard protocol.The home health team contacted all clients who did not currently live at The Preserve or Gulf Coast Village campuses, ensuring they had proper supplies and that their homes were secured. Staff kept a running list of who was sheltering in place and who was evacuating, and to where.I have lived here for Irma, Ian and Milton, and I sincerely believe that there is no safer place in Cape Coral to be than Gulf Coast Village, said Margaret D., a resident of Gulf Coast Village. During the hurricanes, the staff went above and beyond anyones expectations to take care of all of the residents. I cant say enough about how well-protected we are!With the physical safety of residents under control, Gulf Coast Village and The Preserve strived to ease stress levels of residents during Milton by keeping their spirits high through engaging activities like morning exercise, The Hits of Motown and word games over a fresh cup of coffee. Afternoon activities included card games and a root beer float social, followed by a marathon game of bingo. For residents who do best with one-on-one engagement, an activities assistant conducted room visits with residents. Meanwhile, independent living residents kept themselves busy by playing Wii Bowling and enjoyed their weekly Wednesday After Dinner Social prior to Miltons landfall. They enjoyed Hurricane Happy Hour on the day of the storm, which featured special cocktails. Pastor Cheryl Leftwich was celebrated with a birthday party as the storm approached.Hearing testimonies directly from residents reassures leadership that proactive safety measures are doing their job keeping residents safe and secure. Independent living resident Millie H. passionately shared, My house flooded during Ian, and thats why I moved to Gulf Coast Village! I felt very comfortable here during Milton so much better than my previous experience.As the 2025 hurricane season fires up, we all hope Southwest Florida stays out of the forecast cone. If a storm comes our way, though, well be ready a plan is already in place.About the author Ryan Keller is the vice president of senior living operations for Volunteers of America National Services, the sponsoring organization of Gulf Coast Village and The Preserve. To learn more about Gulf Coast Village, call 239-510-8712 or visit GulfCoastVillage.org. To learn more about The Preserve, call 239-722-6167 or visit ThePreserveVOA.org.