Tulsa Meals On Wheels, Broadmoor Helping Elderly Through Winter Storm

There are more than 100,000 seniors living in the Tulsa metro area. Many of them are self-reliant, but others need a little TLC in winter weather like this.

Meals on Wheels did a little extra work Wednesday to take care of their clients, and one retirement community has taken in snow birds.

On a normal day, Meals on Wheels in Tulsa delivers meals to around 900 clients. Volunteers package up nutritious meals and a cadre of drivers drops them off to each client. They didn't deliver Thursday.

When the drivers can't get out, due to weather, Meals on Wheels prepares what they call a blizzard bag or box, which contains basically an extra meal. They delivered those Wednesday.

At the Broadmoor Retirement Community most residents seemed unconcerned about snow or ice and the staff has plenty of activities planned for whatever comes.

"We play poker, we play cards, we make s'mores, we laugh and tell jokes, and make it like a camp out," said Pam Bell.

12/5/2013 Related Story: Oklahoma Governor Declares State Of Emergency In Winter Storm

Some of the staff will camp out. They've basically moved in until the bad weather moves out.

We were surprised to find some temporary residents there, too. They call them "snow birds."

Virginia Hunter moved in just for the weekend, to ride out the winter storm.

"They let me do that," Hunter said.

She's is veteran snow bird at Broadmoor, and she loves it.

"I don't have to cook, I don't have to go to the store to get food," Hunter said.

She plans to sit back and ignore the weather if she can. However, some folks won't be able to.

"If you have an elderly neighbor, please check on them if you can," Bell said.

That's good advice, even in nice weather. And don't forget, calling 211 can often be a terrific resource and a good starting place for helpful information in weather like this.