business courses geared toward the building and construction industry. Other options include reading BuilderBooks, which are continuing education publications from NAHB on every builder- related topic. National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) The National Kitchen + Bath Association is a large trade association of professionals who specialize in the remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms (NKBA, 2017). They offer courses on aging-in-place-friendly designs for the kitchen and bath through their NKBA Certification + Design certification. The NKBA also runs trade shows where clinicians can meet vendors and designers and examine new products. On the website, people, including nonmembers, can access a kitchen and bathroom planning handbook that provides suggestions on placement of various kitchen and bathroom features. Local home and garden shows Home and garden shows can be a treasure trove of design, modification, and equipment ideas. There is typically a small fee for entry into the show. Inside will be a variety of vendors with current and innovative products for all rooms of the home. Clinicians receive exposure to the latest and greatest of products and ideas of when to recommend them to patients. Home and garden shows can also be invaluable networking opportunities. Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments (SAGE) In addition to running the EFA conference every year, the Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments is dedicated to advocating for age-friendly environments, reform of regulations of environments for aging in place, and implementation of design research (SAGE, 2017). Membership is composed of many different professions, ranging from students and healthcare professionals to manufacturers, regulators, and design professionals. SAGE also hosts design competitions, webinars, and educational sessions; they also will complete post occupancy evaluations. By becoming a member, you receive a discount to the EFA conference and networking opportunities swings can increase the potential of someone to live in his or her home for many years to come despite possible changes in function. Serving as consultants to design professionals is an emerging niche in therapy practice and could be an interesting business endeavor for interested clinicians. As the population of older adults grows, more aging-in-place-certified clinicians will be needed to address their home modification needs. The unique perspective of a physical therapist enhances the design of architects and interior designers and the work of contractors to create a truly supportive environment. Interested clinicians should pursue other educational opportunities to advance their skills in home modifications and aging in place while taking advantage of networking opportunities provided within some of the certification courses. With all the available resources in development, physical therapists are poised to be influential in the upcoming years. of glaucoma, which is under control with medication. Jane also has a mitral valve prolapse, causing her to become fatigued very easily, and is starting to lose her eyesight due to macular degeneration. Jane also trips often when she walks. When Nancy and John visit Frank and Jane in their custom home, the family dog, a miniature Schnauzer, accompanies them. In planning a custom-built home, there was a unique opportunity to address current health concerns but also to plan proactively. All four individuals intend to remain in this home for the rest of their lives. The home is a 2200-square-foot ranch with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a basement, living room, and office.
professionals as a business model, these resources would help educate you on the viewpoints of potential clients. American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Another national association belonging to a potential customer or collaborator is the American Society of Interior Designers. They also have a special interest section, called a Knowledge Center, on Aging and Accessibility (ASID, 2017). Their Aging and Accessibility Knowledge Center has extensive resources on UD within designing environments, important terminology, and links to additional aging-in-place websites and resources. A variety of interesting articles is available on their website, written by interior designers on the topic of aging in place and the importance of design; they are accessible to anyone, including nonmembers. Environments for Aging (EFA) The Environments for Aging conference occurs annually at different locations across the country, run by the Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments (SAGE; EFA, 2017). EFA focuses on an interprofessional approach; all professionals ranging from healthcare practitioners, healthcare managers, and designers of various disciplines are welcome at the conference. Not only is physical design addressed, but the conference also hosts a large expo of innovative products and vendors supporting aging in place. Physical therapists are welcome to submit to present at the annual conference. EFA also sponsors a quarterly magazine, free to those who become subscribers. It celebrates innovations in the design of a variety of environments for older adults, and comes in print and electronic versions. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) The National Association of Home Builders hosts the CAPS certification courses. In addition to CAPS, they offer other continuing education courses that would support aging in place and the continuing education requirement of maintaining the CAPS certification (NAHB, 2017a). People may obtain additional certifications in UD. NAHB also offers additional Conclusion Aging in place and home modifications for older adults is a multifaceted project. Attention must be given to both the client’s current abilities and future concerns, so the environment never becomes an inadvertent barrier to independence. The proper environment will support an older adult through normal age- related changes and progression of diseases. Physical therapists focus on the interplay of the person, environment, and occupation when determining interventions to increase independence in the home. When considering aging in place in the home, a focus on both compensation and proactive modifications will serve to allow individuals to stay at home longer. Clinicians should consider the use of a comprehensive home assessment to initiate home modification work and ensure thorough recommendations. Attention to many different details within the home, ranging from colors of walls and floors, to materials used in construction, location of lights, types of light switches and doorknobs, hallway widths, and direction of door Case study Nancy and John are a 58-year-old married couple preparing for their retirement. They have bought a plot of land on which to custom build their retirement home. John is healthy with no major health concerns other than a bicep tendon tear in his left arm from a ski accident that has left him with less strength in his nondominant hand. His wife, Nancy, has some health concerns. She has a mitral valve prolapse, which causes her to experience an irregular heartbeat with too much exertion. She also has rheumatoid arthritis, which currently presents itself with pain in her fingers and her right shoulder. They intend to move into their home once John retires in 10 years; however, Nancy’s parents, Frank and Jane, have moved south from the northeast United States to live in the home. Frank and Jane are in their early 80s. Frank has diabetes, an intention tremor, and the start
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