The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in collaboration with the NAHB Research Center, NAHB 50+ Housing Council, and AARP developed the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) program to address the growing number of consumers that will soon require these modifications.
The rigorous certification program recognizes individuals that have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to quality products and improving standards within the remodeling industry.
The next session of classes is May 10-12 2023. Register online to save your spot today!
Email us for more information.
A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) has been trained in:
- The unique needs of the older adult population
- Aging-in-place home modifications
- Common remodeling projects
- Solutions to common barriers
From the NAHB: “The CAPS designation helps you make your clients’ homes more ‘visitable. Even if the homeowners don’t think they need additional task lighting, grab bars, and other home modifications for their own use, their family members and visitors might. CAPS helps you help your clients make the right choices, and it gives you more security in remodeling market niche that’s continuing to grow in popularity.”
The Certified Aging in Place (CAPS) program of the NAHB and requires that graduates meet prescribed standards of business practice, have proven track records of successful project management, complete a comprehensive education curriculum, and pledge to uphold the program’s rigorous code of ethics.
An individual with these certifications will have a good understanding of specifications, product quality, and installation techniques to help assure a first-class installation for the consumer.
CAPS certification includes three classes: Everyone must take all three classes regardless of previous experience. These certification classes are offered online on consecutive days with no travel.
Who Needs CAPS Certification?
CAPS certification is important for anyone working with individuals who are aging in place or thinking of modifying their home. That includes:
- Remodeler or general contractor
- Trades sub-contractor (carpenter, plumber, electrician, roofer, flooring or lighting contractor, low-voltage electrical systems, home automation, drywall contractor, cement finisher, cabinet or countertop fabricator, tile setter, painter, window or door installer, or so many others)
- Occupational or physical therapist
- Interior designer (including kitchen and bath designer)
- Architects (including building designers or structural engineers)
- Real estate sales professionals or developers
- Medical professionals
- Mobility equipment specialist or assistive technology professional
- Home health provider
- Insurance agent or adjuster
- Non-profit housing agency
- Independent living center or facility executives
Register for a CAPS Course
Classes are offered through the Roanoke Regional Homebuilders Association online. You can find upcoming events here. All CAPS classes are offered online, virtually so you can take a class offered by any instructor at any time. By registering with RRHBA, your certification lessons will come from one of the most recognized instructors offering CAPS courses today.
The next session of classes is in May and held online. Classes include:
- Marketing & Communicating With Aging In Place Client (CAPS I): Millions of Americans are living longer and more active lives. Because they are embracing newly found and changing lifestyles, they need to revitalize their home environment. Identifying this burgeoning opportunity and then developing the skills to interact with this market can help you grow your business dramatically. The goal of the course is to equip course participants with the knowledge and tools to effectively market and sell services to the aging in place (AIP) market.
- Design Concept for Livable Homes & Aging In Place (CAPS II): There is an increasing desire among today’s home owners to live in one’s home as long as possible which has created a strong demand for products and services serving this audience. To help home owners make their home a safe and comfortable living environment for the long term, many responsive and innovative products are emerging. Likewise, service providers are answering this demand by focusing their businesses on creating new homes and renovations that provide design flexibility, pleasing aesthetics, high function and usability for all people, without regard to age, income or ability level, and regardless of life’s changes and challenges.
- Detail & Solutions for Livable Homes & Aging in Place (CAPS III): This course builds on the CAPS II course (which is highly recommended prerequisite to this course) by introducing design solutions and techniques for professionals whose clients require specialized design and equipment to live and thrive comfortably in their homes. Whole house product specification and installation techniques will be covered accompanied by practical, hands-on activities.
About the Instructor
Chris Moore was the first person to earn the Certified Aging in Place (CAPS) Designation in Remodeling in the Roanoke Valley and was recognized as the 2020 Certified Aging in Place Designee of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders.
Moore, CAPS, CGR, founded Solid Rock Enterprises Inc. in Salem, Va., to provide quality building, remodeling, and consulting services to his customers. Moore is an expert on using universal design principles to build and remodel homes to help seniors age in place; he performs comprehensive home evaluations to measure his clients’ abilities against the features of their homes to recommend home modifications customized for each client’s unique situation.
He teaches the CAPS curriculum through NAHB and speaks to groups on aging in place, universal design, home modification and home safety. He is the author of Housing Matters, a column that appears monthly in Senior News, a member of the Age Safe® Advisory Team, serves on the Advisory Council at Good Samaritan Hospice and is a recognized expert on aging in place matters at www.caring.com.