September is National Preparedness Month: How RoseVilla in Portland Builds Community Resilience

This article highlights how Residents at RoseVilla Senior Living in Portland lead preparedness and sustainability initiatives year-round, not just in September for National Preparedness Month. The Residents’ efforts include eco-friendly practices and community events such as the ROSE Refresh Party that strengthen both emergency readiness and long-term resilience.

RoseVilla Senior Living, a nonprofit, single-site Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Portland, Oregon, makes preparedness, resilience, and sustainability part of everyday life. With September being National Preparedness Month, RoseVilla Residents are highlighting their year-round emergency preparedness efforts, including the annual ROSE (Resilient Operations + Sustainable Energy) Refresh Party. The Resident-led Ready Force hosts the annual party to promote emergency readiness and engage Residents in hands-on planning. 

During the event, Residents are encouraged to refresh supplies, update emergency contacts, and connect with neighbors. “The goal of the ROSE Refresh Party is to get Residents together and refresh their supplies and knowledge about emergency preparedness,” said RoseVilla Resident Ed Gellenbeck, a Resident Force member. “It’s also a chance to come together and strengthen our community’s resilience.”

The ROSE Refresh Party is just one of numerous initiatives RoseVilla has launched as a leader in resilience and sustainability. Read on to learn more about the ROSE Refresh Party and RoseVilla’s dedication to resilience and eco-friendly living as part of Residents’ everyday lives.

The ROSE Refresh Party: A Tradition in Preparedness

The ROSE Refresh Party gives Residents the opportunity to make sure they are emergency-ready. 

The ROSE Refresh Party includes educational events and actions, including:

• Emergency Supply Checks – Residents make sure food, first aid, and batteries are current and ready.
• Backup Power Demonstrations – Residents plug in appliances to see how different devices run on emergency power units.
• Water and Sanitation Prep – Residents are educated about RoseVilla’s two-week water supply system and learn how to set up twin-bucket sanitation systems.
• Crisis Preparedness: About 60 Residents are trained in disaster preparation and emergency response, so they are ready to spring into action to help their neighbors in a time of crisis.
• Community Engagement – Residents come together to connect and share their knowledge about community resilience efforts.

Gellenbeck said that while the ROSE Refresh Party is held once a year, its purpose is to integrate safety and sustainability into everyday Resident life.

Ready Force Resident Emergency Preparedness Team

Gellenbeck also helps lead RoseVilla’s Ready Force Resident Emergency Preparedness Team, made up of 57 Residents who serve as active volunteers during a disaster. The Team has held two of three practice exercises this year as a drill in emergency preparedness. The third practice exercise is set for next month.

During the practice exercise, Residents go through an emergency drill where they move to the neighborhood meeting place and perform neighborhood checks on Residents who can’t easily leave their homes. “You never know when a disaster is going to strike,” Gellenbeck said. “We’re counting on Residents to pitch in.”

Checklist for National Preparedness Month

For RoseVilla, National Preparedness Month goes beyond preparing Residents. It’s an opportunity to share expert tips and strategies that help others stay ready for an emergency. 

Gellenbeck shared this checklist to help be prepared in case of an emergency:

• Test Backup Power Before You Need It – Plug in lamps, phones, or medical devices to understand your power supply’s limits.
• Set Up a Twin Bucket System – Have one bucket for liquid waste and another for solid waste. Make sure to have lids, gloves, sanitizer, toilet paper, thick bags, and shredded paper.
• Plan for Two Weeks of Food and Water – Each household should store its own supplies.
• Refresh Your Disaster Kit – Rotate perishable food, replace expired medications, and replenish essential supplies like flashlights and batteries.
• Keep Records Current – Update emergency contacts and important forms regularly.
• Stay Connected – Build connections with neighbors to support each other and help make sure everyone is safe. 

Gellenbeck said RoseVilla’s dedication to preparedness and sustainability makes it an ideal senior living community for those looking to make resilient and eco-friendly living a part of their daily life. “RoseVilla is leading the way in resiliency and Resident-led preparedness efforts,” Gellenbeck said. 

Eco-Friendly Senior Living in Portland

From renewable solar energy systems to water conservation and air-quality improvements, RoseVilla is leading the efforts in resilience and sustainability.  CEO Glen Lewis said RoseVilla, founded in 1960, has broken the mold when it comes to traditional senior living. “At RoseVilla, our mission is to be resilient and self-sustaining not only in emergencies but every day,” he said. “We’re redefining what senior living can be by building sustainability into every part of campus life.” Lewis said initiatives such as The Flourish Project for eco-friendly living and the long-term Resilience Action Plan (RAP) are strengthening campus resiliency and delivering lasting benefits to the environment and community.

The Flourish Project: Sustainable & Socially Responsible

RoseVilla launched The Flourish Project for Residents to practice regenerative living, cultivate a culture of care, and bear fruit in their community. The project includes various initiatives that focus on sustainability, including a greywater reclamation system, called ROSIE, low-water landscaping, and energy-efficient practices. The project also features the Green Team with Residents leading the way in creating policies and programs focused on climate change and sustainable living. 

RoseVilla’s Resiliency Action Plan

Preparedness at RoseVilla is supported by a long-term vision in its Resiliency Action Plan. The 25-year plan outlines campus-wide strategies for stability, safety, and sustainability for decades to come.

Key priorities in the plan include:

1. Energy Resilience – Cutting energy use by 50% and developing microgrids to power critical systems for weeks without the grid.
2. Water Resilience – Reducing water use by 25% and securing at least four weeks of backup water and sanitation.
3. Seismic Safety – Retrofitting older buildings to withstand earthquakes.
4. Air Quality & Fire Safety – Upgrading filters, improving indoor air quality, and using fire-resistant building materials.

As part of the plan, RoseVilla is finishing the completion of its first RosePort, a net-zero-energy carport designed to produce and store its own solar power and potable water, this fall. These hubs will serve as emergency centers during crises, allowing Residents to have access to power and water even if external systems fail.

Additional RosePorts are planned along with other initiatives to create a network of resilience across the campus.

Bottomline

At RoseVilla, National Preparedness Month is more than an awareness campaign as resilience and sustainability are a way of life. Residents take an important role in shaping a safer, more sustainable community through events such as the annual ROSE Refresh Party and year-round initiatives. From renewable energy to water conservation and seismic safety, RoseVilla is setting a model for what resilient, eco-friendly senior living can look like today and for generations to come. Learn more about how RoseVilla combines resiliency, sustainability, and preparedness for a vibrant senior living experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is National Preparedness Month? National Preparedness Month is observed every September to encourage individuals, families, and communities to take proactive steps in preparing for emergencies. The goal is to plan for natural disasters, power outages, wildfires, and other crises, so people are prepared in a crisis.
2. Does RoseVilla offer independent living? Yes. RoseVilla Senior Living is a single-site Continuing Care Retirement Community in Portland, Oregon, that offers a continuum of care built for Residents’ distinct needs. RoseVilla provides independent senior living, Avencia Home Care for those needing some assistance with daily activities, and 24-hour care for both long-term residential and short-term recuperative stays at Madrona Grove. An onsite clinic offers nursing and social services. Residents can choose from a variety of independent living options as part of a vibrant community focused on resilience, sustainability, and inclusion. 
3. What makes RoseVilla an eco-friendly senior living option in Portland, Oregon? RoseVilla integrates sustainability and resilience into its campus design, operations, and community. Initiatives include net-zero energy neighborhoods, solar-powered energy systems, water conservation strategies, air-quality improvements, and the development of RosePorts that generate clean energy and potable water. RoseVilla is the leading eco-friendly senior living option in the Portland area.
4. How does RoseVilla prepare Residents for emergencies? RoseVilla hosts an annual ROSE Refresh Party, where Residents review emergency supplies, test backup power, update contact information, and learn practical tips like setting up sanitation systems. In addition, the campus follows a comprehensive Resiliency Action Plan and has launched numerous initiatives to promote resilience, sustainability, and safety. 
5. What makes RoseVilla in Portland a leader in sustainable and resilient senior living? RoseVilla stands out as a leading Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Portland because it blends vibrant senior living with a deep commitment to community resilience and sustainability. RoseVilla is designed to be an inclusive campus that supports Residents and the greater community.