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Adult Care
Adult Care
Adult Care Fa
A Safe, Accessible Home For All Ages
AGING IN PLACE is a national movement to enable
people to stay in their own homes as they grow older
by making available the social support, health care, and
home modifications and maintenance services they
require to live happy, productive lives in the community.
AGING IN PLACE initiatives are growing across the
country as older people choose to live independently.
If you’re like the majority of Americans over the age of
45, you want to continue living in a familiar environment
throughout your maturing years. According to the AARP,
older home owners overwhelmingly prefer to age in place,
which means living in your home safely, independently
and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level.
The NAHB Remodelers of the National Association of
Home Builders (NAHB) in collaboration with AARP
developed the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS)
program to address the growing number of consumers
that require modifications.
A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)
has been trained in:
• Unique needs of the older adult population
• Aging-in-place home modifications
• Common remodeling projects
• Solutions to common barriers
It’s important that your home is adapted to accommodate
for easy mobility as you age. Following are some questions
to ask as you consider remodeling or modifying
your home:
How should you modify your home to make it
more comfortable?
To age-in-place you will probably need to modify
your house as you mature to increase access and
maneuverability. These modifications range from the
installation of bath and shower grab bars and adjustment
of countertop heights to the creation of multi-functional
first floor master suites.
ASSISTED LIVING
How should you choose a remodeler?
• Figure out how much money you have to spend on the
home modification project.
• Seek referrals from friends, family, neighbors, co-workers,
and others who have had similar work done.
• Contact trade associations such as Capital Region Builders
and Remodelers Association www.crbra.com.
• Check with your local or state office of consumer protection
and the local Better Business Bureau.
• Verify the remodeler has the appropriate local and state
licenses and required liability and workers comp insurance.
• Look for professional designations such as CAPS, Certified
Graduate Remodeler (CGR), or Graduate Master Builder
(GMB).
• Ask your professional remodeler for a written estimate of
the work to be done based on a set of plans and
specifications. Select a professional remodeler with plenty of
experience with your type of project. Remember, lowest
price does not ensure a successful remodeling project.
What information should you think about?
• Do I want to add a bathroom and possibly a bedroom to
the main level?
• How can I make my kitchen more functional?
• Am I worried about preventing falls?
• How much money can I budget for this project?
• Will I need to get a home equity loan or reverse
mortgage loan?
• Will other members of my family benefit from modifications?
• Will remodeling increase the energy efficiency of my home?
• Where do I find a professional I can consult with about
my needs?
By instituting simple universal design and aging in
place techniques, Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists
and Remodelers can insure that you live in your home
comfortable, safely and independently for as long as you want.
Edward Malone, is a Certified-Aging-In-Place-Specialist
and Director of Enviro