Here in Duluth, our homes carry us through long winters, the occasional summer heat wave, and every stage in between. A healthy home matters at every age, but as we get older, the stakes get higher. A loose rug, a dim stairway, or a drafty bedroom can go from a minor annoyance to a serious safety risk. That’s why our team at Eco3 is helping to make homes safer, warmer, and more affordable through our new Healthy Homes for Aging in Place program, which builds on our existing Energy and Weatherization work.
Falls are the number one risk to staying in your home
One in four Americans age 65 and older falls each year, and falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for older adults. Once someone falls, their risk of falling again doubles. Many of the most common fall hazards are things we stop noticing: steps at an entryway, slippery bathrooms without grab bars, tubs you have to step over, poor lighting at night, loose rugs and clutter, and high shelves that mean reaching or climbing.
The good news? Many of these hazards have simple fixes. During a Home Safety Assessment, our team walks through your home room by room to spot fall risks and accessibility barriers. From there, we can help with practical changes like grab bars, handrails, lever-style door handles, non-slip flooring, and brighter lighting.
Temperature extremes hit harder as we age
As we age, our bodies become more sensitive to heat and cold, which matters a lot in a place with Duluth winters. Older adults lose body heat faster and may not feel the cold until it’s dangerous; hypothermia can set in at indoor temperatures as low as 60°F. The cold constricts blood vessels, raising blood pressure and the risk of heart attack and stroke, and it stiffens muscles, which makes a fall more likely. Heat brings its own risks: it can cause blood pressure to drop, leading to dizziness, dehydration, and confusion. All of those effects raise the chances of a fall.
This is where safety and energy work go hand in hand. Air sealing and insulation can cut heating and cooling loads by 15–30%, getting rid of cold drafts and keeping temperatures steady from room to room. Our team at Eco3 also provides home energy assessments to look at your whole home as a system, identify cold leaks, and come up with tailored suggestions on ways to save money and energy. Depending on what our auditor finds during the assessment, we may be able to come back and perform weatherization work for you.
A safer home can also be a more affordable one
Many older adults live on fixed incomes that don’t keep up with rising utility bills, property taxes, and repair costs. One in three older adults on fixed incomes skips heating or cooling to afford other necessities, and households in poorly insulated homes pay an estimated $500-$700 more on energy each year. The upgrades that make a home safer often make it cheaper to live in, too. LED lighting uses seventy-five percent less energy than incandescent bulbs while making hallways and stairs brighter. Fixing small problems now keeps them from turning into expensive emergencies later.
It’s never too early (or too late)
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, noticing that your needs are changing, or are simply planning ahead, a healthy home is a necessity. These services are not just for older adults, either; they are for folks with injuries, disabilities, or caregivers.
Healthy Homes for Aging in Place is available to homeowners and renters in Duluth and within 100 miles, at no cost or at a reduced rate for qualifying households. You may also be eligible for rebates from your utility company.
With the heating season here, now is a great time to reach out. From safe home modifications to weatherization improvements, Eco3 could be your one-stop shop! Our schedule fills up fast from October through April!
To learn more or inquire about a free or low-cost Home Safety Assessment, email energy@ecolibrium3.org or call 218-203-0464. You can also learn more about our home energy assessments on our website.
The Healthy Homes for Aging in Place program is funded in part through the State of Minnesota and Duluth Aging Support as part of the Duluth Age-Friendly initiative, which Ecolibrium3 has co-led with Duluth Aging Support since 2021.
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