Home is where the majority of us feel at our most comfortable, where memories have been made and where the vast majority of older adults would prefer to enjoy their sunset years. According to the University of Michigan’s 2022 National Poll on Healthy Aging, 88% of adults aged 50 and older would prefer to remain in their homes for as long as possible. However, in order to safely age in place, a senior or their family caregiver may need to consider hiring a certified aging in place specialist (CAPS).
A CAPS will help you or your loved one determine if aging in place is feasible. “They can guide you in the right direction when making important and sometimes costly choices regarding home accessibility,” points out Nicole Hernandez, physical therapist and contributor for AgingInPlace.org.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a certified aging in place specialist (CAPS) and how to determine if their services are necessary for your situation.
What is a certified aging in place specialist (CAPS)?
A certified aging in place specialist, or CAPS for short, is a professional trained in meeting the needs of older adults by assisting with aging in place home renovations. A CAPS professional must go through extensive training offered by the National Association of Home Builders to acquire this designation. Once certified, they can work with a senior, their family caregiver and other loved ones to make the space livable and safe for an aging adult. “Their job is to help guide you to the right choices when building or remodeling a home for accessibility,” notes Hernandez.
Gina Knight, president of Kastle Keeper and a certified aging in place specialist, explains, “It is our mission to protect older adults by making their homes safe to grow old in.”
What’s more, the services they provide can bolster the mental well-being of older adults who are aging in place. Cheri Tatar, 62, of Chicago, Illinois describes her decision to hire a CAPS as the key to her recovery. “I suffered a massive stroke in May of 2020 which paralyzed the left side of my body,” she notes. “I knew rehabilitation would be arduous and our two-story bungalow was not properly designed for my recovery needs. The comfort of being in my own home helped tremendously, it was one less thing to worry about.”
“It is our mission to protect older adults by making their homes safe to grow old in.”
— Gina Knight, certified aging in place specialist
What does a certified aging in place specialist do?
A CAPS performs many job responsibilities. According to Knight, their duties include:
1. Assessing the home’s accessibility
First, they will decide if your current home is able to be modified to fit your needs. Then, they will discuss what changes are necessary to make your home accessible. For example, some homes may need wider doorways to fit a walker through, or new flooring because the current carpet is too plush to easily maneuver a wheelchair.
2. Obtaining quotes for potential remodels and renovations
A CAPS will work with your budget to navigate the cost of making changes, whether you’re adding a ramp to an entrance, placing grab bars in a shower or installing better lighting throughout your home.
3. Hiring contractors
They will determine what type of contractors are needed to make the necessary improvements to your home — an engineer, plumber, electrician, designer or otherwise. A CAPS has connections to preferred contractors who have previously worked with them and have proven that they are reputable.
4. Following up with the homeowner
After completing a remodel, a CAPS will set up a meeting with you in your home to do a walk-through to ensure you are happy, safe and comfortable in your home. If there are any additional concerns from the homeowner, this is the time to address them.
What are the most requested aging in place home renovations?
Here, a room-by-room guide of the most requested renovations per the experts. Amy Roberts, senior real estate specialist at Generations Realty in San Antonio, Texas and a CAPS, gives the run-down of the most common must-haves for a senior-friendly home layout.
Bedroom
Climbing the stairs might be difficult for your older loved one, so a CAPS may recommend that you move their bedroom downstairs. “There should be a bedroom on the ground floor with the bed at a comfortable height,” says Roberts. “To determine if the bed is at a proper height, you should be able to get in and out of bed with ease.”
Bathroom
“All bathrooms should have raised toilets and grab bars installed that replace towel racks,” she adds. “To prevent burns, the shower controls should be by the entry point so you don’t have to lean through the water to change the temperature from hot to cold.” Roberts also recommends installing a shower bench and a hand-held spray nozzle for bathing.
Kitchen
“For better accessibility, having a microwave on the countertop is preferred to being installed overhead,” suggests Roberts. “When purchasing an oven, look for a stove with temperature controls at the front as opposed to the back so that you don’t have to reach over hot pans and flames to change the setting.” Entryways
“Doorways should be 32” or wider to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers,” says Roberts. “Ideally there are no stairs at the home’s entrances, but installing a ramp may be necessary.”
Hallways
“Be sure to have soft lighting in the halls to increase visibility, especially for nighttime trips to the bathroom,” advises Roberts.
Stairs
“If there are stairs, having high contrasting colors on the steps — such as a carpet runner in the middle of wood steps — will help visibility,” Roberts recommends. “Carpeting also helps with traction.”
Handles
“Levers, instead of door knobs, are preferred for faucets and door handles, because they are easier to grasp and turn for those with a weakened grip or for arthritic hands,” says Roberts.
“Less than 4% of homes in our housing market are aging in place-ready.”
— Amy Roberts, senior real estate specialist and CAPS
How much does it cost to hire a certified aging in place specialist?
A personalized home evaluation that includes a full report on the necessary home modifications with visuals attached will cost $500, according to Knight. But the overall fee to hire a CAPS will vary greatly based on your location, the cost of labor and materials, the timeline to complete your project and the types of renovations your home needs. Once the renovations are complete, the CAPS will provide you with the grand total itemizing everything including each gallon of paint to the cost of widening a hallway.
And while it might feel like an expense you and your older loved one would prefer not to shell out for, Knight recommends comparing it to the expense of a senior living facility, which can make the one-time price seem more palatable. A home renovation can be paid off over time whereas your loved one will owe monthly rent at a senior living facility, which will adds up to a greater cost over time. (According to AssistedLiving.org, the average cost for independent senior living ranges from $1,500 to $4,000 per month whereas an assisted living facility may cost upwards of $3,500 to $10,500 per month.)
Home renovations can also add value to your older loved one’s home and make it a desirable purchase for another family down the road. After all, as Roberts notes, “Less than 4% of homes in our housing market are aging in place-ready.”
How to find a certified aging in place specialist
Once you’ve decided to hire a CAPS, you can search through the National Association of Home Builders’ database to find a professional in your area.
Knight suggests two critical attributes to look for when hiring a CAPS. Look for someone who:
- Has experience in construction. “You can’t just go knocking down walls without the proper knowledge and permit required.”
- Has your best interest at heart. They need to be up for protecting your older loved one and keeping them safe in their home.
