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Did you know that 50% of US bankruptcies are due to medical bills? A simple slip at home isn't just a physical setback. It could be the first step toward financial ruin. I'm Aaron Murphy, a licensed architect and founder of ForeverHome. Today we're gonna dive into a rarely discussed risk of home accidents, the severe financial strain that that can cause and why making your house safer is critical now more than ever. There's a great quote by Julie Bishop. She states, prevention is one of the few known ways to reduce the demand for healthcare and aged care services. That's what I'm here to talk about today. I had lunch with a friend recently who had to discuss the unfortunate option of talking to a bankruptcy attorney or stopping paying their mortgage and letting the house go back to the bank. When I asked how in the heck does that happen? How'd you get here? It was about family medical bills. Falls are among the top reasons for emergency room visits. The direct costs, thousands of dollars for ER, tens of thousands for surgery and then even more for rehab before you ever come home. Then, well, your loved ones in recovery, you wait and hold your breath, waiting to see what, if any, insurance will cover. Talk about a major anxiety when you're trying to heal. That alone is not good for your health. Medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States. So a fall can not only lead to a physical injury, could also plunge you into insurmountable debt. Add to that, the healthcare system's under strain. We've all heard this in the news coming out of COVID, staffing shortages, high burnout rates. I hear this story once a week one in PR when I'm driving in my truck. That means that if you end up needing care, the quality of the care might not meet your expectations either, which can lead to other complications. So if this high percentage of bankruptcies in the US are due to medical bills, an overstretched health care system, the risk of getting involved in any of that just gets amplified. So let's talk about protection planning for longevity. This is where the house comes in. Making your home safer is a form of protection planning. It's about reducing the risk of accidents that can lead to financial and health catastrophes. Consider simple modifications to start. The low hanging fruit. Non-slip mats. Removing throw rugs. Better lighting. Handrails. Lever handles instead of doorknobs. You guys, this isn't just home improvement. This is investment in your long-term well-being. So what's the argument? Prevention's cost effective. You probably heard the phrase from Benjamin Franklin, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The investment in making your home safer pales in comparison to the potential costs of a fall. And you might not ever get to come home. That could be your journey to the CCRC, the continuum of care, of assisted living and memory care, and all the things that can happen after a fall. My grandfather was an amazing human being. He passed at 98. The beginning of his demise was a fall. First it was a fall mowing the lawn at 96, where he hit his head. And this was a person that remarried at 89. My father asked him to sell his last business at 94 and his response was, cool, what are we buying next? But 18 to 24 months after that fall at 96, he passed. And that was the beginning of the end. Don't wait. Don't wait for a fall to think about your home safety. Assess your home, make the necessary changes. Consider that, just like financial planning for retirement, a part of your longevity planning. If you don't know where to start, professional advice is critical. I love putting a team together, occupational therapists, general contractor, remodeler, architect like myself. I can help. We can guide you through making your home a safer place. A single fall could be more than a physical injury. You could jeopardize your financial stability, your money lasting to the end of life. Can even jeopardize your legacy. It could rob your children of an inheritance. In today's healthcare landscape, the value of prevention and planning cannot be overstated. So, let's prioritize making home a fortress for safety and a part of your longevity plan. Thanks for joining me today. Stay safe. Plan on living safely and sustainably in your own home. And please remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I'm Aaron Murphy. If you liked our video, please click like in YouTube or where you see this, and please go subscribe on our YouTube channel if you wanna know more about Forever Home. You can find more information for homeowners and business owners at foreverhome-us.com. Thanks and have a great day.