Senior Housing - Aging in place

Aging in place means living in your home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level. Most people want to stay in their house as they grow older. However, the design features of a home can often make this impossible. It isn't until an accident occurs that effects one's health or we age and become less mobile that we notice that some of our house's features make them unlivable. The alternative is to move out to a more accessible home or to perform sometimes costly remodeling. Assuming that we are talking about the typical non accessible home, to allow you to age in place, you will probably need to modify or remodel your house as you grow older. The extent of these modifications will range from the relatively simple and inexpensive (bath and shower grab bars) to the extensive and very costly (bathroom and kitchen remodels, elevators, etc.).

The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist Program (CAPS)

The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) has created a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist Program (CAPS). CAPS members include general contractors, designers, architects, and healthcare consultants who are concerned with senior housing and the ability of their seior clientele to age in place. CAPS Specialists pledge to uphold a code of ethics and are required to maintain their designation by attending continuing education programs and participating in community service.

A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) has been trained in:

The unique needs of providing housing to seniors and the elderly population
Aging-in-place home modifications
Common remodeling projects
Solutions to common accessible barriers

Design features that a home should to make it appropriate for a senior housing age in place?

A master bedroom and bath on the first floor.
A low or no-threshold entrance to the home with an overhang.
Lever-style door handles.
No change in levels on the main floor.
Bright lighting in all areas, especially places like stairways.
A low-maintenance exterior.
Non-slip flooring at the main entryway.
An open floor plan, especially in the kitchen/dining area.
Handrails at all steps.

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Senior Housing - Aging in place

The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist Program (CAPS)