Return Home Safe
Introducing a specialized program to address in-home fall prevention for seniors in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck.
Habitat for Humanity Detroit, in partnership with Henry Ford Health System and Legacy Medical Foundation, is launching The Return Home Safe (RHS) program which is a pilot program designed to reduce the risk for at-home falls by providing modest home safety repairs and transitional private-duty aides for eligible low-income seniors.
A report by America’s Health Rankings said 29.3% of Michigan seniors ages 65 and older are likely to suffer from a fall, and one out of five falls causes a serious injury like a hip fracture and head trauma. These can lead to decreased mobility, loss of independence, social isolation and depression, and premature death.
Eligible low-income seniors are ages 65 and older, own their home in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park, and are considered at-risk for falls. Henry Ford’s Mobile Integrated Health team will work with Habitat to identify seniors who are at-risk for falls to receive home repairs. The repairs would be at no cost to eligible seniors.
This is a pilot program and is designed to gather data regarding fall prevention and hospital re-admission. At this time, this program and services are not available to the general public.
What do we do
to help stop falls at home?
- Install grab bars
- Fix uneven floors
- Fix or install handrails
- Clear walkways of things that may make you fall
- Fix lighting problems
- Help with daily tasks
- Help find safe ways to use the toilet, bath or shower
- Get meals ready
- Grocery shop
- And more!
For more information on ways to help support this program, please contact Mary Ellen Kearney, Director of Fund Development, Habitat for Humanity Detroit, at mkearney@habitatdetroit.org
Words from our clients:
“Thank you so much for helping us feel safer at home. I’m concerned about falling so the grab bars, handrails, lights and other things make me feel 100% safer. It is beautiful to see that people care so much and want to help seniors. We appreciate Habitat and the Return Home Safe Program so much.” – Donald and Margaret F.
