VERO BEACH, FL -- Indian River Estates, an ACTS Retirement-Life Community, swears by the Boy Scout motto "Be Prepared" and so does their staff of 400.

Ron Kauffman, talk show host of Senior Lifestyles Intelligent Talk Radio heard three days a week on WBZT 1230 AM and former Public Information Officer with Area Agency on Aging, was one of the recent speakers at "Seniors Weathering the Storm," a hurricane seminar, which discussed pertinent topics seniors need to be aware of when preparing for a hurricane.

Did you know 33% of Floridians do not know if they live in a hurricane evacuation zone? How far should you drive to get out of the cone of the storm? (75-100 miles) How many gallons of water should you have on reserve during a hurricane? (2 x 10 days or 20 gallons needed per person for reserve) Are you aware that 911cannot respond while hurricane wind force in excess of 60 mph is in effect?

"It is best to call 211 for non-emergency information immediately after a storm. They are staffed to answer just about every question imaginable," Kauffman told a crowd of four dozen Vero residents.

Kauffman began by sharing one of the biggest frustrations out-of-area family and friends have when a storm is brewing - communication. "Call your family and tell them your plan before the storm. Then tell them you're safe, afterwards," Kauffman urged.

Residents of Indian River Estates don't need to worry about any of the above - no need to evacuate, no need to store water, board up, clean up, stock up or communicate. With high power generators and cement block construction to protect residents, Indian River Estates residents are self contained with operational elevators, culinary capabilities for three hot meals a day and even movies with fresh buttered popcorn.

ACTS even has a 24 hour crisis intervention team with satellite phones and the ACTS website is updated every 24 hours with a message to loved ones. The ACTS communities do the utmost to prepare by stocking up on food, fuel, water, supplies and have a medical staff on the premises ready for the worst case scenario. During Hurricanes Jean and Frances, the population tripled with family and friends moving in - not to mention pets. The more than 600 ACTS residents had virtually no major complaints. Instead they sent letters of praise.

"We were never down and had an outside network from our 13 other communities in Pennsylvania, Georgia and the Carolinas to help us never skip a beat," said ACTS Regional Vice President Charles Coxson III.

If something catastrophic did occur, residents would be moved at no cost of their own to another of ACTS' 18 communities or receive a free room at a nearby hotel until their apartment was restored.

Indian River Estates East and West have put their hurricane preparedness plan to the test and passed with flying colors. "I was amazed at the fact that we didn't get assessed for the damages incurred to landscape and cost for clean up during Hurricane.....," resident Tom Hoffman said. "Knowing I wasn't alone and receiving three hot meals a day was a blessing. We even had a pet parade!" resident Madeline Schultz added.

Many who live in South Florida mistakenly think they must live isolated in their home or beach condo and then later in life move to an assisted living or nursing home and that's it. There is another choice many South Floridians are not aware of, despite the fact that they have existed for more than 40 years: CCRCs.

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) are more often than not, faith-based, not-for-profit organizations whereby an active 62 and beyond retiree moves in and then gradually eases into utilizing as many "concierge services" that he/she may need or want including but not limited to gourmet meals, housekeeping, sports, lifelong academic and creative classes, trips, concerts onsite, transportation, etc. An on campus resident nurse, assisted living, dementia and skilled nursing center are located on the same campus, and there is no extra monthly fees for needing a higher level of care. Call 772-770-0058 to attend a free informational luncheon at Indian River Estates.