Want to Keep Living At Home

12/02/2011

Want to Keep Living at Home?

Find certified designers, builders and other professionals who can make your home safe and comfortable

A significant concern as people grow older is that they may have to leave their home. This would mean leaving behind a comfortable setting, familiar community and many memories. In addition a certain amount of control is lost when one leaves home. This "control" provides the underpinning to our feelings of dignity, quality of life and independence. One's home is a strong element in that sense of security.

Most American seniors desire to stay in their homes for the rest of their lives. In fact an AARP survey found this number to be greater than 80% of seniors. The aging process is blamed for many problems seniors may encounter with daily activities. However quite often it is the home that creates the difficulties.

Oftentimes, staying in your home 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. So what can you do to make changes to your home to make it safer and more comfortable. 

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

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.

Planning modifications and making changes to your home that can help you continue living there comfortably and safely—that is the specialty 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

To find a Certified Aging in Place Specialist in Western Colorado call the Home Builders Association at 970-245-0253.

Editor’s note:  This article was submitted by Tile Meister, the Western Slope’s Certified Aging in Place Company.  For more information they can be reached at 970-244-8453