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Although the U.S. economy continues to edge towards recession and its affects have already directly impacted the housing and construction markets, there is some hope on the home industry’s horizon—modifications that allow seniors and people with disabilities to age-in-place.

According to a recent article, aging-in-place renovation work (like those services offered by Home Evolutions) is expected to provide one of the bright spots for residential construction opportunities.

Panelists at the last Remodeling Show in Baltimore, Maryland, suggested that proactive communication with senior home owners and understanding their ever changing needs will be the keys to sustaining success in the home modification market while simultaneously advancing the aging-in-place movement.

One recommendation from this panel was that builders should consider teaming up with occupational therapists (OTs). An OT is a healthcare provider who generally undergoes 4-5 years of technical and/or college training. OTs help improve their clients’ abilities to perform functional tasks in their daily living and working environments. These healthcare professionals work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, socially, or emotionally disabling.

Through assessments and interventions designed to achieve positive outcomes, OTs help their clients develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. The ultimate goal of OTs is to help their clients have productive and satisfying lives by preventing injury or disability and by promoting purposeful and individually attainable day-to-day activities in order for them to improve, sustain, or restore their highest possible level of independence.

Carla Chase, a representative of The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., explained that OTs always first ask the integral question, “What are they [seniors and people with disabilities] able and not able to do in their homes?” They then go about the process of assessing needs, determining an organizational plan, and implementing a course of action that will enable their clients to achieve their individual living and lifestyle goals.

On the home modification side of aging-in-place, OTs can help contractors determine what should be modified in the house by evaluating their client’s physical or emotional strengths and limitations, as well as any medical conditions that may have an impact on how they function. In addition, OTs assist clients in planning for their future lifestyle and residential changes by identifying what to expect as they age. OTs can also recommend specific solutions for common problems related to the home modification process—such as privacy issues and a client’s fear of falling.

Chase said that OTs can often predict the progressive courses of medical conditions and how they may adversely affect their clients’ ability to live comfortably. They also assist with such psychosocial aspects of the aging process as loss of control. She noted, “This can be a difficult issue for a person who has defined their adult life as being the primary breadwinner and now sees that role changing.”

Michael O’Neal, an urban sociologist with AARP, agreed that contractors should always consider that seniors or people with disabilities may not fully understand what is being explained to them during a home evaluation. One real example of this happened to him personally when his father, who is hard of hearing, was in the process of getting a new roof.

Chase added that remodelers may experience this type of reluctance and/or confusion in their clients if they are not familiar with the needs and limitations of seniors or people with disabilities. “Contractors won’t close the sale with someone who doesn’t really understand what they are presenting. But there can be much more that remodelers need to know about prospective clients who are elderly [or have special needs], and occupational therapists can play an essential role in this [learning] process.”

Seniors and people with disabilities often require guidance, encouragement, and support when it comes to overcoming the natural hesitation that is associated with accepting one’s need for personal adaptations and home modifications. Chase concluded, “It is helpful to begin by pointing out to clients, the steps they have already taken to make their home more livable—such as using nightlights or installing a non-skid surface in the shower. It is also good to have them recognize that modifications in the home will improve the comfort level of their visitors….” These are exactly the types of productive discussions that can be successfully facilitated by personal care professionals like OTs.

In addition to their recommendation about consulting with OTs, the panelists at the Baltimore remodeling show also recommended that construction companies and remodelers who want to work in the aging-in-place market should undergo Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) training from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). This is precisely one of the specialized certifications held by Harry Burns, Founder of Home Evolutions.

Many organizations and companies have been collaborating to create consumer demand for remodelers like Home Evolutions that specialize in and orchestrate aging-in-place concepts, designs, and constructions. By understanding the benefits of partnering with healthcare professionals like occupational therapists, the construction industry can better meet the needs of home owners who want to age-in-place comfortably and safely.