By Laura Hipshire
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
According to U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who recently co-sponsored a bill which addresses the critical public health issue of falls and fall-related injuries among older adults, “Most people don’t realize the significant impact elderly falls have on our society. In reality, these types of accidents are the leading cause of injury deaths among senior citizens and add billions to our nation’s health care costs.”
Preventing falls is the name of the game
At Fox Run in Novi, every home features the safety and convenience of singlefloor living.
Moving to Fox Run isn’t about downsizing to a smaller space, says Carolyn Ives, the community’s retirement counselor. On the contrary, “It’s about ‘right-sizing’ to a space that better fits your life today and your goals for the future. Basically, our architects have taken the rooms of your house and laid them out on a single level.”
She says people often tell her they appreciate not having to carry loads of laundry up and down stairs because most homes at Fox Run have a washer and dryer.
And in winter, the grounds staff shovels and deices the sidewalks and parking lot, decreasing the chance of slips and falls outside.
Modern construction equals safety
Fox Run homes are also structurally safe, as they are built with the latest in building construction technology.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, “Almost 50% of homes owned by older adults were built prior to 1960, and 6% of these homes had structural problems.”
Resident Phyllis Praski, who moved to Fox Run from Warren, is confident in her new home. “They keep everything up to code here,” she says. “They check everything to make sure it’s in good working order. They have regular staff fire drills.”
In 2005 the National Fire Protection Association reported, “396,000 of all structural fires occurred in residential properties.”