Evaluating Assessments for Aging in Place: An Online CE Course
Are you an occupational therapist, physical therapist, designer, or other professional dedicated to helping individuals age in place safely and effectively? This advanced online course, “Evaluating Assessments For Aging In Place,” is specifically designed to enhance your ability to assess client needs and living environments.
Who Should Attend This Aging in Place Course?
This elective class is ideal for a wide range of professionals, including:
- Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Physical Therapists (PTs)
- Designers (Interior Designers, Kitchen & Bath Designers)
- Case Managers and Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs)
- Real Estate Agents and Home Stagers
- Ergonomists, Social Workers, and Move Managers
- Remodelers and Contractors
- Anyone with CAPS coursework seeking to provide safer, better organized, and more effective living environments for the public
This course builds upon the foundation of CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist) training, offering deeper insights into evaluating client abilities and environmental contexts for aging in place solutions. While a CAPS designation is not a prerequisite, familiarity with the CAPS material will be beneficial.
What You’ll Learn: Course Highlights & Learning Objectives
This 6-hour, real-time, interactive, distance-learning course by Master CAPS Instructor and AOTA Approved Provider Steve Hoffacker will equip you with essential skills for aging in place assessments.
By the end of this program, you will be able to:
- Illustrate why assessments and evaluations are essential for understanding client needs in aging in place
- Name the two major approaches to evaluations and discuss their benefits
- Contrast collecting information through observations versus client input
- Identify three specific ways to record observations during a home assessment
- Discuss how human performance characteristics factor into assessments for aging in place
- Describe four safeguards necessary before working with clients in their homes
- Explain how to effectively relate assessment findings to your clients and their families
- Cite specific considerations for developing an effective assessment approach
- Recount your role in determining the quality of a client’s environment and their abilities
- Relate how your findings contribute to the overall safety of the client’s living space
The course agenda covers:
- Section 1: Introduction to Aging In Place Assessments
- Section 2: Beginning Where You Are
- Section 3: Identifying What To Measure
- Section 4: Using Existing Spatial Assessment Forms
- Section 5: Using Existing Needs Assessment Forms
- Section 6: Conclusion
Course Format & CE Credits
This live Zoom, synchronous, interactive distance learning class features live instruction and ample opportunities for questions, engagement, and participation. It is not self-paced, pre-recorded, or recorded for later review
Continuing Education (CE) credits are provided for:
- AOTA (Occupational Therapy) – Course approval ID#8710, .6 CEUs (6 Contact Hours), introductory level, Category One: Occupational Therapy Service Delivery.
- APTA (Physical Therapy)
- NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association)
- CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist)
- AIBD (American Institute of Building Design)
- And other programs or organizations that allow self-reporting
Successful completion requires attendance for the entire event, active participation with a camera on, and a 70% passing score on in-class knowledge/skill check questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is this class all about and why was it created?
A: Because home assessments for mobility, safety, and ADLs is such an integral part of the work we do as a CAPS professional, this class was created to provide a nearly exhaustive list of common assessments that anyone can use, professionals or consumers, as intended by the respective formats. This does not exist anywhere else in this level of detail.
Q: I’m interested in conducting home assessments as part of my CAPS business and wonder how this will help me?
A: In addition to some of the most common assessments for home layout and physical ability, there are some more specialized forms that can be used and many unique ones. You will be shown how to create your own forms for a use you may have.
Q: Is there a preferred CAPS assessment to use?
A: In a word, no. There are dozens of possibilities, and you can create one that is unique to your particular situation. There are many that might work for you, but as far as a recommended or preferred format, that is entirely up to you, your client, the space you are evaluating, and your reason for conducting the review.
Q: Will I learn how much to charge for my assessments?
A: No, not specifically, although some ranges of what we see will be mentioned. There are many factors involved in pricing, such as urgency, impact on the viability of the living space, reason for conducting the review, and other renovation or safety work that may emanate from it.
Q: What types of assessments are discussed in this class?
A: There is a mix of safety evaluations of the physical living space, ones that can be conducted by the consumer in their space, ones more appropriate for health care professionals dealing with balance, gait, and cognition, and others that evaluate how the client uses their home.
