It’s no secret that millions across the country are in need of quality, suitable housing throughout their lives. Many aging homeowners who once may have invested in a property to resell it later and move on to a new location are now opting to stay put and maintain the house they’ve turned into home.
Out of this change, a certification program that’s now been serving Americans for over 10 years was started. In 2002, the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) program was started to promote effective and quality home modifications sought after by many who wish to stay living in their home for years to come. This plan comes as an alternative to living outside of the familiar home environment in elderly care centers or in another’s place of residence, such as with family.
The program allows professionals who have a background in home improvement contracting to train and become certified providers of barrier-free living home modifications. This can include adding ramps or elevators among many other types of installations. A partnership between home improvement franchise business operators and their employees working in this sector is naturally arising in various states across the country. Aging homeowners are thus able to create a safer and more practical living environment without having to move.
Many homeowners who wish to stay at home while investing in modifications are also investing in their future years in a more suitable home, as well as their overall stability living in a community that may be particularly well suited to their lifestyle and needs. Home modification projects thus allow people to maintain a high quality of life, a reasonable degree of independence, and a firm place in a location of their choosing.
Whether for new homes or for remodeling modifications, this program allows for large numbers of properties to become well-equipped for elderly residents. The desire to stay home and the need for these kinds of adaptations to homes is growing. In fact, 70% of 2,000 poll respondents at least 45 years of age claim to have made at least one change in their homes to enjoy living there as long as possible. This American Association of Retired Persons poll reveals the real need and demand in the sector as it continues to grow.