When it comes to modifying your home for aging in place, not all contractors are equal. A Certified Aging in Place Specialist — or CAPS — has specific training in the unique needs of older adults and people with disabilities. Here is what CAPS certification means, what these specialists can do for you, and how to find a qualified one in your area.
What Is a CAPS Certification?
CAPS stands for Certified Aging in Place Specialist. The certification is offered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in partnership with AARP and the NAHB Research Center. To earn it, a contractor must complete a multi-day training program covering:
The needs and concerns of the aging-in-place market, including the physical changes that accompany aging and how they affect the use of the home. Specific home modification solutions for bathrooms, kitchens, entrances, and other areas. Business and marketing skills for working with older adult clients. Practical application of universal design principles.
After completing training, CAPS professionals must maintain continuing education and adhere to a code of ethics.
What Can a CAPS Professional Do For You?
A CAPS contractor does more than swing a hammer. They bring a combination of construction knowledge and understanding of aging-related needs that a general contractor typically lacks. Specifically, they can:
Assess your home with an eye for aging-related hazards and accessibility barriers — not just what looks worn or broken, but what will become a problem as your physical abilities change over time.
Recommend modifications that are tailored to your specific needs, budget, and the structure of your home. Generic checklists are useful starting points, but a CAPS assessment is personalized.
Design solutions that meet both functional and aesthetic goals. A good CAPS contractor understands that you want your home to be safe and beautiful — not to look like a medical facility.
Complete the work to code, with an understanding of ADA guidelines, building codes, and best practices for aging-in-place modifications.
CAPS vs. Occupational Therapist: What’s the Difference?
Both CAPS contractors and occupational therapists (OTs) play important roles in aging in place, but they have different areas of expertise:
An occupational therapist assesses how a person’s physical and cognitive abilities affect their daily functioning. They identify what a specific individual needs to perform tasks safely — dressing, bathing, cooking — and recommend assistive strategies and devices. Many OTs have specialized training in home modification, but they do not do the construction work.
A CAPS contractor has the construction expertise to actually implement modifications. They understand how to install grab bars correctly, widen doorways, build ramps to code, and remodel bathrooms for accessibility.
The most comprehensive approach combines both: an OT assessment to identify your specific needs, followed by a CAPS contractor to design and implement the modifications. Some aging-in-place projects are managed by a geriatric care manager who coordinates both.
How to Find a CAPS Professional
The easiest way to find a certified CAPS professional is through the NAHB’s online directory at nahb.org. The “Find a Builder or Remodeler” tool allows you to search by zip code and filter for CAPS certification.
Additional resources:
AARP’s Home & Community: AARP maintains resources and referrals for aging-in-place professionals through its website and local chapter network.
Your local Area Agency on Aging: AAAs often maintain lists of vetted aging-in-place contractors and can provide referrals. Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to find your local agency.
Occupational therapists: OTs who specialize in home modification often have established relationships with CAPS contractors they trust and can recommend.
Questions to Ask a CAPS Contractor
Before hiring, interview at least two or three CAPS professionals. Key questions to ask:
How long have you held your CAPS certification, and is it current? Can you provide references from aging-in-place projects specifically? Are you licensed and insured in this state? Do you work with an occupational therapist, or can you recommend one? Can you provide a written assessment and itemized estimate before any work begins? How do you handle unexpected structural issues that arise during a project?
What Does It Cost?
The cost of a CAPS contractor’s work varies enormously depending on the scope. A consultation and written assessment may cost $200-$500. A bathroom modification — adding a walk-in shower, grab bars, and a comfort-height toilet — typically runs $3,000-$15,000 depending on scope and local labor costs. A full home assessment and prioritized modification plan is money well spent before committing to larger expenditures.
Keep in mind that some modifications may qualify for tax deductions as medical expenses, and various grant and loan programs exist to help offset costs for lower-income seniors.