Certified-aging-in-place (CAPS) contracting could be a key to remodeling success in the years to come. As the US population grows older, more homeowners are looking to age in place, which often entails transforming their home into a practical place to live as health issues and mobility begin to play a role in their daily lives.

Such steps include wider, wheelchair-accessible pocket doors, better lighting, reduction of tripping hazards, elevator installation, shower grab bars and tub cuts. Renovations such as these can mean the difference between a later life lived at home or one in a nursing home. That, for many of us, is a powerful incentive, accentuated by the fact that the average home itself is aging and in need of repairs anyway.

The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation can be achieved through a three-day training course offered by the National Association of Home Builders, in conjunction with AARP. Some 3,000 home remodeling and repair contractors have been certified thus far. That’s a relatively small number compared to the fast-growing number of senior citizens in America.

The scope of CAPS remodeling is wide, affecting nearly every aspect of home re-design, from rocker light switches to low-pile carpeting. Even patterned flooring can become a problem for those with poor vision. Understanding the many ways aging-in-place remodeling can benefit the homeowner, as well as how to broach the subject in a respectful way, could be your ticket to an increased work load. Not to mention a work that helps people live out their life in the most comfortable and familiar way they can.

To learn more about becoming a CAPS contractor, see the NAHB website. The included courses teach the technical, business management and customer service skills to succeed in the aging-in-place sector. In the United States and most other developed countries, a growing percentage of the population is reaching seniority, while the younger population is shrinking. Furthermore, most homes in the US are 30 years or older. It’s a tandem that’s creating quite a market for knowledgeable CAPS professionals.

Photo Credit: Chuck Miller

They surmised the following reasons for this unexpected behavior.

It is difficult for homeowners to sell their homes.

They realize this, and are looking for improvements that will make their homes more appealing and competitive with other homes on the market.

When unable to sell their homes, some people opt to improve the one they have to better accommodate their family.

If more space is needed, they add an addition, or they try to improve the areas that made them try to sell in the first place.

There are a growing number of homeowners preparing their homes for retirement and their later years.

This trend is called “Aging in Place,” and entails revamping the house to accommodate their changing lives. Whether it is wider doorways, more conveniences or walk-in showers, they are doing their best to plan ahead.

The article also touched briefly on the growing number of homeowners converting to a greener lifestyle. They are looking for ways to make their homes more energy efficient with alternative energy, along with more eco-friendly materials throughout the home.

One point the article didn’t mention is that with the slower construction industry, contractors have more time and more competitive rates. How do you compare?