By Abby Duke
The streets of St. Petersburg have become a sobering reminder of the raw power of nature, as back-to-back Hurricanes Helen and Milton leave a trail of destruction in their wake. Many of the city’s senior citizens are now facing the unimaginable, as their homes have become unlivable. Left vulnerable and displaced, St. Pete’s seniors grapple to find housing and resources.
Many seniors lived in older homes or properties that have not been updated to withstand dual hurricanes. Now, their lives are uprooted as they find themselves with damaged roofs, shattered windows and flood damage.
“These hurricanes left so many vulnerable,” said Pinellas County’s Florida Department of Health Public Information Officer Samantha Goodfellow. “It’s hard enough making it through the storm and then face finding a new home after.”
With so many in need of help, Goodfellow directs seniors in search of assistance to the We Are St. Pete Fund. Through a collaboration between the City of St. Pete and Pinellas Community Foundation, the contributions help those impacted by the hurricanes.
“As of right now, there is over $800,000 raised to help assist residents in need,” Goodfellow said. “Seniors of St. Pete need that help, [and] many are on fixed incomes and need that financial assistance right now.”
In the aftermath of these hurricanes, seniors face a unique set of challenges. When limited in financial resources and compounded by mobility issues, this can restrict their ability to relocate or rebuild quickly.
Many rely on public transportation or the goodwill of neighbors to get them where they need to go, and seniors may be unable to access online resources for locating emergency shelter or assistance. Efforts by Sunways Senior Living Concierge have attempted to help those seniors facing such challenges by becoming a vital resource for those struggling in times of need.
“Sunways is stepping in to offer long-term solutions, from housing to transportation, but the need is overwhelming,” said Co-Founder and President of Sunways Senior Living Concierge Elli Baldwin.
Baldwin’s team connects displaced seniors in need of short or long-term housing with facilities and shelters that can assist, offering relocation services as well. They offer their services for free for seniors and their families, helping to compare care options that best suit their needs.
“The biggest thing was urgency when it came to moving seniors into a safe spot between the two storms and then reassessing the damage after Milton,” Baldwin said. “It was an aggressive deadline that our team had to move quickly for seniors.”
With limited inventory in the housing market, seniors face difficulty finding shelter that meets their needs, specifically when senior living facilities are unavailable.
“Rentals for displaced seniors looking for shelter are a huge help,” Baldwin said.
Beyond immediate relief, community members are encouraged to help support their elderly neighbors directly. Through volunteer work and engaging with the senior community, checking in can make all the difference, she said.
“Volunteering with Meals on Wheels and just checking on your senior neighbor are great ways to be involved,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin’s team continue their service outside of assisting seniors, spending time to thank case managers in hospitals and rehabs by serving breakfast and coffee. According to Linda Burhans, a caregiver advocate and coach, the emotional toll of displacement cannot be forgotten, as many seniors find themselves leaving behind their lives to find aid.
“St. Pete has a large senior community,” Burhans said. “We must make sure they’re safe and supported. It’s important we make that effort during times like this; no one can go through it alone.”
Burhans rallied behind caregivers who faced the difficulties of finding shelter for their loved ones and providing support to seniors that lost everything in the storm’s wake. Calling to check in on one senior, Burhans found that she had to be rescued from her home.
“I called to check in on a senior I was close to who hadn’t been able to evacuate, [and] she told me her house had flooded, and water was up to her breasts before a neighbor was able to get to her,” Burhans said.
As St. Petersburg recovers, it’s clear that special attention must be given to its senior citizens, whose long-standing ties to their homes and neighborhoods make their losses particularly painful. With the help of organizations like Sunways Senior Living Concierge and the We Are St. Pete Fund, the city’s senior community will not face this recovery alone.