Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists

Who are you going to call? Someone who's a "CAPS"

By: AARP Outreach & Service | Source: AARP.org |  | October 5, 2009

When you bought your first home, you probably invested a great deal of thought and planning in your decision. The same kind of considerations need to go into the choice of remaining in your home as you age, for as long as possible.

Oftentimes, staying means making changes or home modifications that can help you live more comfortably and safely. These design changes can range from the easy and simple to the complex.

The Person to Reach: A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist

Planning modifications and making changes to your home that can help you continue living there comfortably and safely—those are the provinces of Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (or CAPS).

These experts have the answers to many of your housing questions and problems. CAPS professionals have learned strategies and techniques for designing and building attractive, barrier-free living environments.

Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists:

• Have been trained to meet the housing needs of the age-50+ population
• Can identify and/or make home modifications or changes to help people live independently in their homes at later ages
• Can find solutions to common obstacles that make houses unsafe or uncomfortable

The Remodeler's Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), in collaboration with the NAHB Research Center, the NAHB 50+ Housing Council, and AARP, developed the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program to help consumers with the dream of making their houses homes for a lifetime, even if their needs and abilities change.

CAPS Locator

Download the CAPS list to find a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist in your area.