CAPS Course Descriptions - Steve Hoffacker LLC

In 2017, the CAPS (Certified Aging In Place Specialist) curriculum was totally modified, rewritten, and reissued to what it is now. This is good news for you:

If you already have taken all of your CAPS classes, you do not have to do anything – your CAPS designation is as solid as ever
If you have only taken one or two of the classes and need to finish your coursework, the new material will be refreshing and more timely for you – you may even want to go back to the beginning even though this is not required
There now is a “CAPS III” class (since October 2017) that contains case studies and hands-on applications of strategies to create solutions
Since the Business Management for Building Professionals (“BMBP”) class, which formerly was the third required class for the designation, is no longer offered except online, there are no more exemptions in place to obtain the CAPS designation – everyone will take all three required CAPS classes (CAPS I, II, and III), meaning that we all will have a common knowledge base

Here is a synopsis of each of the three CAPS classes that Steve Hoffacker, CAPS, CEAC, SHSS, has been presenting in West Palm Beach, Florida and many other markets throughout the United States, but since April of 2020 and until further notice are offered in a real-time, interactive online format::

CAPS I – Marketing & Communicating With The Aging In Place Client

This class is required for the CAPS designation – no exemptions or exceptions regardless of work history, personal experience, or knowledge level. It can be taken alone or out of order, but it must be taken and it is highly recommended that it be taken as the initial class and as part of a three consecutive-day course such as that offered by Master CAPS Instructor Steve Hoffacker. This class must be taken before enrolling in CAPS III.
This is a one-day, 6-credit hour, standalone class that combines with CAPS II and the newly created CAPS III to complete the requirements for the CAPS designation. This may be taken as a solo, introductory course to the aging in place concept, but all the classes will need to be taken to receive the designation. There is no time limit as to when all three classes need to be taken.
Because Americans, Canadians, and people of other lands are living longer and enjoying more active lives, and because so many of them have discovered that remaining in their current home has tremendous benefits for them, they have embraced aging in place as a lifestyle concept. In fact, everyone, from birth onward, is aging in place in some way. It’s a matter of the quality of life they are enjoying and how their home accommodates their essential needs and life skills.
There are three primary market segments that we focus on in this class: (1) people without urgent needs (the majority of people) who require just simple (if any) renovations in their home to facilitate accessibility, visitability, and age-related vision or hearing impairment; (2) those with a progressive based condition (a chronic disease, limitation, or impairment that does not improve over time and usually intensifies) that requires modifications in the home to assist with mobility, accessibility, and the activities of daily living; and (3) people suffering from a traumatic needs condition such as a TBI or other sudden onset situation that often requires home improvements to allow them to function well within their living space.
The course identifies opportunities and resources for starting or expanding an aging in place business and looks at common access points and marketing opportunities within the three major aging in place market segments. Also addressed is establishing relationships and working with strategic partners and referring professionals to generate leads and collaborate to create effective solutions for clients.
Communication strategies and concepts for building the sale with a client and their family is addressed as well.
A downloadable pdf reference book is included.
CE (6-hours) credits are provided for AIBD, AOTA, APTA, ASID, NKBA, and others; however, AOTA currently is not.awarding credit for online classes.

CAPS II – Design Concepts For Livable Homes & Aging In Place

This class is required for the CAPS designation – no exemptions or exceptions regardless of work history, personal experience, or knowledge level.. It can be taken alone or out of order, but it must be taken and it is highly recommended that it be taken as part of a three consecutive day series such as that offered by Master CAPS Instructor Steve Hoffacker. This class must be taken before enrolling in CAPS III.
This is a one-day, 6-credit hour, standalone class that combines with the CAPS I and CAPS III classes to complete the requirements for the CAPS designation. This may be taken as by itself, but all the classes will need to be taken to receive the designation. There is no time limit as to when all three classes need to be taken.
Because there is such a strong among today’s homeowners (and renters as well) to live in their home as long as possible – essentially indefinitely – people are searching for and requiring solutions in design, products, and services to meet this need. This is regardless of anyone’s current age or perceived level of ability or function.
AIP (Aging In Place) service providers are answering this demand by focusing their businesses on creating new homes and renovating existing homes with design flexibility, pleasing aesthetics, high function and usability for all people, without regard to age, income or ability level, and regardless of life’s changes and challenges.
This course seeks to enable participants to identify common challenges within the home and understand attractive design concepts that create a safe and comfortable environment for clients who want to age in place successfully.
Participants will explore special considerations for estimating, scheduling and executing the job while the client is in residence; identify legal and contractual considerations for providing AIP design solutions; learn about the categories of design and general building codes and standards and how they relate and apply to AIP clients; and consider other factors that relate to creating effective solutions.
The course presents various methods, techniques, and considerations, as well as structured exercises, for modifying home design and creating effective solutions for a variety of users.
A downloadable pdf reference book is included.
CE (6-hours) credits are provided for AIA, AIBD, AOTA, APTA, ASID, NKBA, and others; however, AOTA currently is not.awarding credit for online classes.

CAPS III – Details & Solutions For Livable Homes & Aging In Place

As of October 25, 2017, this is the required third class (with CAPS I and CAPS II) for the CAPS designation – no exemptions or exceptions for anyone for any reason.
This is a one-day, 6-credit hour, standalone class that will combine with CAPS I and CAPS II to complete the requirements for the CAPS designation.
This class builds on the CAPS I and CAPS II courses (which are prerequisites for this course) by introducing design solutions and techniques for professionals whose clients require specialized design and equipment to live and thrive comfortably in their homes.
This course also considers general visitability and universal design requirements that can serve those with special mobility or sensory needs.
Whole house product specification and installation techniques will be covered accompanied by practical, hands-on activities utilizing case studies.
Participants will be able to understand available innovative and specialized products, explain best practices for design and installation of key components in AIP home design, consider the importance of budget and early product selection, identify common missteps for design and installation of AIP solutions, recommend the best solutions for common single-room modifications based on needs identified in case study, explore installation considerations for recommended modifications in a specified space, prioritize comprehensive solutions for a real-world whole house scenario, and evaluate design considerations and installation requirements for recommended modifications based on whole house layout, circulation patterns, budget, needs, and urgency.
A downloadable pdf reference book is included.
CE (6-hours) credits are provided for AIA, AIBD, AOTA, APTA, ASID, NKBA, and others; however, AOTA currently is not.awarding credit for online classes.
Upon completion of all three CAPS courses, and notification that all of the paperwork has been processed (some 10 days after completion of the last course), participants may apply for their CAPS (Certified Aging In Place Specialist) designation through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).