‘Aging in Place’ is Not Just for Senior Citizens
Willie A. Price
By the year 2030, more than 70 million people over the age of 50 will be home owners in the United States. Of that 70 million, 79% of those home owners will be persons over the age of 65. The majority (80%+) of those persons would prefer to grow old in their homes (Age in place) in a Safe, Secure home with Ease of Use Appliances & Technology and not be placed in a nursing home or aging facility.
A senior “Aging in Place” in their own home & staying in their community is a lot cheaper than being placed in a nursing home or some other facility. There are several housing agencies and resources available to assist these home owners. But, when they hear “Aging in Place” or Senior Citizens, the items that come to mind are ramps and chair lifts, which many of these agencies don’t want to do. But, there’s more to helping a person grow old or live longer in their homes than those few items.
This is what Willie A. Price, President of Majadi Enterprises, Inc. & Willie A. Price Speaks, LLC. discovered while consulting with a local community agency that was providing home renovation grants to area home owners. Mr. Price noticed that the majority of the persons receiving the renovation grants were persons (mainly women) over the age of 60 years-old. What he also noticed was the agency was not doing any renovation work adding simple items like: Grab Bars, Handheld Showers and Raised Toilets or curb less/lower entry showers. There was no thought given or plans made for helping the owner to grow old in a safe & secure home (Aging in Place). One day Mr. Price mentioned this situation and his concerns to a friend and he was told about the CAPS certification program offered by the National Association of Home Builders (N.A.H.B.) and he registered for both the “Certified Aging in Place Specialist” and “Universal Design Essentials” programs.
Congratulations to Mr. Willie A. Price for becoming the ONLY: CAPS & Universal Design Essentials certified Rehabilitation Specialist in New York State. CAPS: Certified Aging in Place Specialist (Custom Accessibility Features) is a designation presented by the NAHB to persons who have taken a vigorous training in the areas of Marketing, Design Concepts, and Details & Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging. The Universal Design Essentials certification address the application of generic high functioning features that can be included in almost any home, not just senior persons or persons with urgent needs or an impairment.
Willie A. Price Speaks, LLLC. and Majadi Enterprises, Inc. are preparing to shine a light on these important topics by presenting “Aging in Place with Universal Designs Features”. These presentations & workshops will also be presented through social media and various written articles on the topics. Majadi Enterprises, Inc. will be offering CAPS Rehabilitation Home Assessments & Home Modifications, & Consultation services to individuals, Housing and Community Agencies, and other organizations. They will also be completing the “Train the Trainer” training in offering certification courses for both CAPS & Universal Design Essentials in 2024. For more information: MajadiEnterprises89@ gmail.com, or (716) 316-7776, or Facebook: Majadi Enterprises.