The leading cause of injury to people over 65, which often leads to hospitalization and even death, is falling down.

The environment where we live has a major impact on our health and safety, especially for seniors. This is where prevention becomes critical to allow them to Age in Place safely.

According to the Business Economic and Community Outreach Network at Salisbury University, more than 11,000 families live below the poverty level in single-family homes in Wicomico and Somerset counties who cannot afford to keep their homes warm, safe and dry.

TidalHealth, Chesapeake Housing Mission, and the Wicomico and Somerset Health Departments each have the health of safety of community residents and families in the missions, visions and values that guide and define their organizations.

The four recently signed a three-year memorandum of understanding to form the Healthy Homes Initiative, a collaboration that is dedicated to improving living conditions for poverty level residents in the two counties.

The goals include allowing residents to safely remain in their homes, reduce the risk of falls and other health conditions, increase access to health and wellness services, reduce hospital visits and admissions and improve their overall quality of life.

“We know that safe and affordable housing is one of the key social determinants of health and for many families in our region at or below the poverty line, as essential as access to health services,” said Steve Leonard, President and CEO of TidalHealth. “Reducing the risks and exposures associated with substandard housing, while improving a person or a family’s living conditions, can positively influence health choices and outcomes through which structural determinants operate.”

“We have been working with TidalHealth for several years to reduce hospitalization of seniors, this HHI brings our organizations together to improve our effectiveness and focus,” said Don Taylor, CHM Director of Development.

Working with TidalHealth and the health departments, Chesapeake Housing Mission will perform critical home repairs and will develop a home safety assessment training program for partners to identify families in need as they are encountered. Referrals to CHM will be provided by TidalHealth and the two health departments, based on those assessments.

“We have worked with CHM to focus on aging in place for our low income senior population. Identifying needed home repairs and working with CHM to get them completed is key to keeping this population safe and in their homes,” said Lori Brewster, Health Officer for Wicomico County.

CHM, which is committed to warmer, safer, drier, and healthier homes for community residents, will assume the lead and will provide the design, materials and obtain the permits for all renovation projects.

“Our Healthy Homes Initiative allows our organizations to come together to focus on the most critical needs,” said Dave Mayonado, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CHM”

TidalHealth will provide $25,000 annually to CHM in support of the Healthy Homes Initiative in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Team members of the health system or community teams sponsored by TidalHealth will also participate on a minimum of four home renovation projects each year in Wicomico and Somerset counties.

If interested in learning more, please contact Chesapeake Housing Mission at chesapeakehousingmission.org.