The right professional can help unlock the potential accessibility of your home. All too often people who have disabilities or people whose abilities change as they grow older feel like they are “locked out” of areas of their own homes. The average house is full of barriers to people who use wheelchairs or walkers, or who have balance or strength issues.
There are so many ways to change homes to remove these barriers, but how do you know what to do? How do you pick a design or building professional that has the skills to evaluate you and your situation so you spend your money on modifications or equipment that actually works for you?
AARP released a land mark study in the year 2000 http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/home_mod.pdf that made it crystal clear that:
- Americans prefer to stay in their own homes as they grow older but realize the home will have safety and access problems.
- People didn’t know what to do or who to ask to help them make changes to their homes.
- People didn’t trust building professionals to know what to do or totreat them fairly.
The National Association of Home Builders Remodelers responded. In collaboration with AARP, NAHB Research Center and NAHB 50+ Housing Council, they developed the Certified Aging in Place Specialist Designation, CAPS. The CAPS is a multi-professional designation which is important as Home Modifications require knowledge not only of the structure of the home, but of people and the medical conditions that affect them, and of the huge variety of equipment available to increase independence in the home.
The course work introduces professionals experienced in their own trades such as therapists, interior designers, contractors, architects to the unique needs of the older adult population and reinforces good business management and utilization of a set of ethics.
People interested in finding professionals with a CAPS designation can go to the National Association of Home Builders web site to find a national directory.
http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=717&genericContentID=46799
BevVan Phillips was among the first CAPS professionals in the state of Nebraska and we are proud to announce that the newest members of the Home Access Solutions, Inc staff have completed the educational requirements to obtain their CAPS designation.
Brady Croft has a background in the building trades and will be using his construction skills and knowledge of DC motors as our primary installer and service professional.
Tara Rise has a degree in Interior Design with a focus on Home Modifications and in addition to generalized access design and equipment selection will be working closely with the Best Bath line of barrier free showers and walk in tubs that we represent.
Garrett Worner has a background in construction and real estate and in addition to working with access remodeling design and equipment will be focusing on the SureHands Lift and Care System of high tech transfer solutions that can help people stay in their homes longer.
At Home Access Solutions, Inc. we bridge the gap between the structure of your home and your abilities. You can count on Home Access Solutions for knowledgeable evaluation and professional service. There is no reason to feel “locked out” of your own home. We are right here in your community, waiting to serve you.
