What is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist? They help you modify your home to keep living the life you want.
Aging in place is a term that refers to the ability of seniors to age in their own homes, as opposed to moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home. A aging in place specialist can help seniors with home modifications, such as installing handrails and ramps. And, increasing the usability and safety of a person’s home.
An aging in place specialist can help you with the following:
- Home modifications such as installing handrails and ramps
- Accessibility modifications
- Home safety recommendations, individualized for each person and home
- Maintaining your home so it is safe and comfortable for you
The physical environment and the natural environment are both important aspects of everyday life, but they are especially important for seniors. Seniors need to be able to get around easily and safely, be able to see well, hear well and feel safe.
What is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist?
The Certified Aging in Place Specialist is a professional who specialize in designing and implementing a plan to allow an older adult to live independently in their home for as long as possible. They are home modification specialists who help design a home so that it helps you live a higher quality of life, both now and in the future.
The reality is that most Americans want to live in the home of their choice as they grow older. They want to do it safely, so they stay healthy and happy at home. If given the choice, most people will agree that their home should support their changing needs.
In order to help families across the nation, the NAHB Remodelers of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) created the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) program. This program was designed to increase the ability of local companies to meet the changing needs of older adults.
Specifically, what older people need as they grow older, how their needs change, what that means for their home life and how to best serve their needs.
5 Signs You Need to Hire an Aging-in-Place Specialist
If you’re unsure if you need to hire a contractor who is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, there are several indicators which you should know, including:
- You’re unsure as to whether a loved one can not safely live on their own.
- You’re concerned about specific areas of the home that may present a safety or health risk.
- You’re worried about your loved one’s safety.
- Your loved one is having difficulty performing everyday tasks.
- Your loved one is experiencing a decline in mental and physical health.
- You’re concerned about the cost of in home care services and want to increase the amount of time until they need it.
A Certified Aging in Place professional makes sense
If you want your house to be a home for life …
If you want your home to be more enjoyable and easier to live in …
If you want your home to protect you from falls and keep you safe …
Then, an experienced CAPS professional makes sense.
The truth is that it goes beyond just your current or future needs. When you recreate a home through accessible remodeling, it helps ensure that your home can be visitable by anyone, with any physical needs. Your home can be safe and functional for you, your grandkids or friends. It becomes easier to use and visit by anyone.
As a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, we can help you understand what changes you should make in your home and why.
Beyond the designation
The truth is that when you’re looking for a contractor who can remodel for aging in place, the most important thing to consider is …
Experience.
There are plenty of contractors (or other people) who have earned the Certified Aging in Place Specialist designation. This does not mean they have experience in designing for accessibility, safety or Universal Design.
At Inprosfl, we have decades of experience as contractors, including accessibility, aging in place and design.