As Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists or CAPS remodelers and builders in Indiana — much like the nearly 80-year-old members of the Rolling Stones — we know what a drag it is getting old. After all, mankind has been searching for the fabled fountain of youth since the very first senior cave-citizens. They probably yelled at their cave-grandkids, “Turn down that godforsaken rock music before you go deaf!”
Just like kids today, those stone-age cave-children probably weren’t too concerned. But the unfortunate reality is that the older we get, the more things we worry about losing. Like our own hearing. Career opportunities. Our car keys.
It’s one thing to lose some hair or the perfect 20/20 vision you once had. You can remedy those kinds of problems with a hat — or some eyeglasses. But the most devastating loss many older adults face is much harder to get back once it’s gone. And that’s the loss of their independence.
CAPS remodelers and builders in Indiana like us can’t rewind the clock and make you young again. At least not any better than we can help find your car keys. What we can do, however, is build or remodel your environment. That way, the effects of aging you’re experiencing aren’t nearly as much of a drag anymore. To give you a better idea what that entails, let’s take a look at the CAPS certification process itself.
What Aging-in-Place Means and Why Business is ‘Booming’
Older adults now have more choices than ever when deciding what kinds of care or accommodations are right for them. Overwhelmingly, seniors say they’d prefer to live out their golden years in their own homes. “Aging-in-place” is just another way of saying “growing older at home.” As more and more people from the Baby Boom generation — aka “Boomers” — have reached the age of retirement, demand for aging-in-place services has likewise boomed .
That’s because there are about 73 million people in that cohort, which consists of Americans born between about 1946 and 1964. They represent over 20% of the entire US population. The first Baby Boomers reached age 65 in 2011, and each year sees millions more joining their ranks.
CAPS Program: More Than Just Wheelchair Ramps and Handrails
The National Association of Home Builders, or NAHB, developed the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist designation. CAPS certification recognizes home builders and remodelers who’ve aquired and demonstrated a special set of skills related to home modifications for the aging-in-place.
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists are trained and tested in a number of different categories, including technical skills, business management and customer service. The CAPS designation distinguishes builders and remodelers who are qualified to assist their clients in making choices that will help them stay safe and comfortable in their homes as they age.
Benefiting More Than Just Aging Adults
Even if you don’t think you stand to benefit from extra lighting, wider transitions between rooms or other aging-in-place accommodations, other members of your family or visitors to your home might. CAPS builders and remodelers are trained to look beyond your current, immediate needs. We can help you choose projects that could assist the people you care about — and welcome into your home — the most.
In addition, many of the same modifications that adults with age-related conditions require can also accommodate others. Younger people with mobility issues, people of any age with other disabilities, etc.. Many of the most common projects and upgrades can be helpful to anyone and everyone regardless of physical constraints. Projects like relocating laundry areas, installing step-in bath and shower units and strategically-placed grab-bars benefit everyone.
We’re your CAPS Remodelers and Builders in Indiana
If you’re considering remodeling all or part of your home to help make your age-in-place plan a reality, New Albany-based Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers are your premier Indiana and Louisville Metro CAPS specialists. Both founder and president Ralph Severson as well as VP of operations and chief forewoman Alison Sanchez have earned the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist designation after completing the required coursework and assessment through the CAPS program offered by Steve Hoffacker.
“What’s most interesting to me about the CAPS approach,” says Ralph, “is how it starts with the technical aspects of remodeling to accommodate aging-in-place, but then it branches out from there to include the mental, emotional and social needs our clients will likely face as they age.”
CAPS remodeling projects involve multiple disciplines, including construction, occupational therapy and healthcare, all working together for the safety of others. “Our company was already handling a lot of remodeling projects to improve accessibility for older adults and other homeowners with medical conditions. Now that we’re certified, I hope we’re able to assist even more people so they can age-at-home gracefully.”
Call Us When You’re Ready to Make a Change
We still haven’t found any magic elixirs to ward off the effects of aging. But we’ve made great strides toward accommodating older adults as they live out their golden years.
Ready to make your home more accessible? Call or email Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers today for a free consultation. We know you only want the best in flooring and remodeling. That’s why it’s important to hire the best in the business, and at Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers, we can guarantee you that’s us.
Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers have been flooring and remodeling Kentuckiana for over 30 years. Our certified installers have the ingenuity and know-how to assist you in choosing the perfect floors for your home. Don’t take matters into your own hands—let us guide your next project.
