NYSOFA partners with NAHB on initiative to help older New Yorkers with home safety modifications

In a new initiative to further support aging-in-place, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) has partnered with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Association on Aging in New York (AgingNY) to launch an innovative home-modification credentialing initiative aimed at bringing safety and security to older adults at home.

Through NAHB’s existing Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) accreditation program, NYSOFA, NAHB, and AgingNY are equipping New York’s aging services providers with training and CAPS certification to work with older adults in assessing and arranging for necessary home improvements so that individuals can remain in their own homes safely as they age, reducing/preventing falls, and preventing injury as well as unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

NAHB’s existing CAPS credentialing program supports a variety of professionals responsible for helping individuals age-in-place – from builders, architects and remodelers to occupational therapists and physical therapists. Working with NYSOFA and AgingNY, NAHB is providing CAPS training to case managers who serve hundreds of thousands of older New Yorkers annually through county-based Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).

One hundred case managers have registered for this first round of CAPS training, which is being held in three sessions from August through October. NYSOFA filled all of these registration slots within 12 hours, due to overwhelming interest in the CAPS certification. Two hundred more case managers will be certified in the next two years for a total of 300 CAPS-trained staff.

CAPS specialists are trained to assess for and recommend individualized home modifications or updates to help people live independently in their own homes by meeting safety or functional needs, often coordinating with licensed contractors on a plan to make home improvements. CAPS specialists are also trained to provide information about building codes and standards, useful products, and other resources to help.

According to AARP, the vast majority of older adults – approximately 77 percent – report that they prefer to age in place. Aging in place is also more cost-effective. According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care study, the average cost of assisted-living facility care in New York State is $54,960 annually. For nursing home care, it’s over $158,000 for a private room. Compare that with $14,600, which is what homeowners are expected to spend on average on home improvements in 2022, according to NAHB. Costs for specific projects can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and can include outdoor and indoor lighting upgrades, installation of grab-bars or curbless showers, single-story living modifications, smart technology, and so much more. A CAPS-trained case manager can help individuals assess their options.

NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, “When most people buy a home, they don’t think about whether it’s equipped to meet their changing needs as they age. And most homes, especially older ones, are not designed with longevity in mind. Yet ask any New Yorker, and they’ll tell you that they overwhelmingly prefer to age in place and will do anything to make this option possible. NYSOFA is thrilled at the overwhelming response to this certification program among New York’s aging services case managers. Because case managers are in older adults’ homes, they are naturally positioned to identify and recommend appropriate changes to the built environment that promote independence and help reduce the risk of falls or injuries related to falls.”

NAHB Chief Executive Officer Gerald M. Howard said, “Since NAHB began the CAPS designation in 2002, we’ve seen interest in aging-in-place skyrocket. The first class had just over 50 members. Now, nearly 9,500 individuals are certified with the CAPS designation. This speaks to the need for aging-in-place services across the building sector, and we’re excited to partner with NYSOFA on this endeavor to ensure that homeowners who want to age in their home will continue to have access to qualified providers and services to help them make the necessary improvements.”

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