Healthy Older Adults Saftey Program

Partnership between Wayne State University’s Center for Urban Studies and Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – MI Chapter.

Overview of the Project

Engaging more than 300 Detroiters age 60 and above to improve their access to in-home hazard reduction interventions and coordinated care in support of healthier lives.
• Two year project period 12/01/2021 – 11/30/2023
• Intend to reduce hazards among three domains:
• Home stability (fire/intrusion)
• Respiratory/ pulmonary- cardiovascular health
• Slip/trip and fall injuries

Detroit homes present many built environmental hazards. Residents are disproportionately burdened by both poor outdoor and indoor air quality and flooding, resulting in high prevalence of environmental injustice.
• These conditions poise significant risks to older adults contributing to poorer health outcomes versus their ex-urban peers
• Selected project interventions with the three domains: Home Stability,
Respiratory Health, and Fall Prevention are recommended by various authority’s as effective
• The cost of the selected project interventions is beyond most older Detroiter’s resources even though they are considered “low-cost”.

Why is this Issue Important?

Detroit homes present many built environmental hazards. Residents are disproportionately burdened by both poor outdoor and indoor air quality and flooding, resulting in high prevalence of environmental injustice.
• These conditions poise significant risks to older adults contributing to poorer health outcomes versus their ex-urban peers
• Selected project interventions with the three domains: Home Stability,
Respiratory Health, and Fall Prevention are recommended by various authority’s as effective
• The cost of the selected project interventions is beyond most older Detroiter’s resources even though they are considered “low-cost”.

Residents’ Qualifications

  • Dwelling is located within City of Detroit
  • Focus participant is 60 years of age or older (only true qualifications, but we would prefer to drive deeper to additional qualifications)
  • Focus participant spends 50% or more of their day within the project dwelling
  • Focus Areas: Predominantly Low-income neighborhoods
  • Focus Populations: Older Adults, Prioritizing African American/Black, Females,
  • Multi-generational households we prefer households diagnosed or suspected asthma/respiratory distress so we can refer them over to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – MI Chapter.

Product Overview

Home Stability – Discretionary Interventions to address ANY of the 29 standard HSA hazards
including but not limited to:
• Smoke detector(s)
• Deadbolts
• CDC Target Hardening list (e.g. outdoor lighting).

Respiratory Health Package with 3 years of replacement supplies at time of delivery with education on product use/maintenance

4 -in-1 HEPA Air Purifier + 6 replacement filters + 3 UV-C replacement bulbs and high MERV Furnace Filters.

Green Cleaning Kit includes 2 Buckets, 1 Mop, Simple Green, concentrate, Spray Bottle, Paper Towel.

Slip/Fall Prevention – Discretionary Interventions based on need. May include items such as:
• Shower seat
• Grab bars and handrails
• Concrete patch repair
• Anti-slip mats/stickers