How to spend your golden years safely at home

Homeowners are increasingly interested in living out their golden years in their own home. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), more than three-fourths of remodelers (76%) indicated that requests for aging-in-place features have significantly or somewhat increased over the past five years. The

“age in place” approach affords home owners the ability to live comfortably and independently in the safety of their own home regardless of their age or ability.

To help make a smooth transition into this stage of their lives, many baby boomers are searching for builders and remodelers who can help turn their home into a more convenient place to live as they age.

Building professionals who have earned the NAHB Certified Aging-inPlace Specialist (CAPS) designation have received training on how to build or renovate a home so that the occupants can live in the home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of their age or ability level. While most CAPS professionals are remodelers, an increasing number are general contractors, designers, architects, and healthcare professionals.

NAHB found that the two most common reasons home owners request aging-inplace projects are planning ahead for future needs (88%) and living with older parents (50%). Many existing or older homes are simply not equipped to meet the needs of the baby boomer generation.

There are many projects that home owners can request to better accommodate their current or future needs. Grab bars are the most common aging-in-place project, with 93% of remodelers reporting this job in the last year. They are followed by curbless showers (83%), higher toilets (77%), wider doorways (63%), and adding lighting/ task lighting (49%).

CAPS professionals are helping home owners find aging-in-place solutions that fit their specific needs and budget. CAPS remodelers and builders are trained to understand the unique needs of aging adults without sacrificing the aesthetic value of the home.

Aging home owners looking to renovate need to be able to find a remodeler they can trust completely, and the CAPS designation helps give home owners a guarantee that they’re working with a trustworthy professional who’s an expert in agingin place renovation. While most CAPS professionals are remodelers, an increasing number are general contractors, designers, architects, and health care consultants.

CAPS designees pledge to uphold a strict code of conduct, so you can be sure that they will listen closely to your specific needs and will never push you to add any renovations you don’t need. In addition, CAPS professionals also commit to attending continuing education programs, so they are always up to date on the latest aging-in-place technologies and strategies.

If you’d like to find a builder or remodeler in your area with a CAPS or other designation, please visit www.sabuilders. com. You can also search the online directory at nahb.org/capsdirectory.

Sincerely, Shad Schmid, President

By Shad Schmid 2023 President, GSABA