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A major bipartisan housing law, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, became law July 11, 2026, and for the first time names grab bars and ramps as an eligible use for a new federal home-repair pilot program. None of it is funded yet. Here's what's actually in the law, section by section.

AARP's newest research finds that most older adults, 68 percent, say universal design features matter to them. Only 35 percent say they would actually go looking for a home that has them. That gap isn't a contradiction. It's the opening for anyone who designs, builds, or remodels homes for a living.

CDC's newest national data shows the fall death rate among adults 65 and older has climbed 21% since 2018. More than 1 in 4 older adults falls every year. Behind that number is a quieter, more useful story: most of what drives a fall inside a home is identifiable, and most of it is fixable.

Most homeowners planning a bathroom remodel never use the word "accessible." They say things like "this needs to work in ten years" instead. New data from Houzz shows that more than two-thirds of them are already building accessibility into the project, and the specific features they're choosing look a lot like good design first.

ASTHO's new report on rural falls prevention shows what happens when states stop treating clinical screening and community programs as separate systems. Iowa and Oklahoma both closed that gap, and the results are a direct lesson for OTs and community partners.

A new peer-reviewed study tracked 25 older adults through HUD's home modification program and measured what changed before and after occupational therapy-led interventions: safety ratings up 48% on average, accessibility up 52%. Here's what the data shows, and what it doesn't.

Material costs are up 6.7% since March, and NAHB's overall remodeling sentiment dipped a point. But the $20,000-$50,000 project range, where most aging-in-place work lives, posted the strongest gain of any segment on the index. Here's what that split actually means if you're scoping this work right now.

The share of remodelers doing aging-in-place work just hit its lowest point since NAHB started tracking it in 2004. Client demand didn't go anywhere — receptiveness and familiarity are near record highs.

Most families assume home modifications are entirely out-of-pocket. They aren't. Federal, VA, and state Medicaid programs exist to help cover the cost — but only if someone knows to ask the right questions.

In March 2026, Harvard's Gazette published a feature framing aging in place not as a medical problem to manage, but as a design problem to solve. For CAPS-certified professionals, that's not a new argument. It's the foundation of the work.

Prince George's County, Maryland began requiring Universal Design features in new residential construction in 2026 — unanimously, and ahead of any federal mandate. For architects, builders, and designers, this is what the policy direction looks like when it arrives.

Adults 50 and older generated $12.5 trillion in economic activity in 2024 - enough to rank as the world’s third-largest economy. For professionals who serve this population, the AARP Longevity Economy Report 2026 isn’t just interesting data. It’s a market brief.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects occupational therapy employment will grow 14 percent between 2024 and 2034. That is more than four times the average growth rate across all occupations. The field isn't just growing. It is growing faster than it can fill its own seats. National vacancy rates hover near 9 percent. More than two-thirds of employers report difficulty hiring OTs. Rural areas are harder hit. Wait times are stretching. And the demographic pressure behind all

NAHB is projecting 3% growth in residential remodeling in 2026 and 2% in 2027. The underlying driver is not new demand. It is aging housing stock and aging homeowners who are choosing to stay where they are. The average U.S. home is now 41 years old. Most were built before accessibility standards existed. If you are a builder, designer, or remodeler reading that forecast as "business as usual, plus a little," you are reading it wrong.

If you’ve been curious about earning your Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) certification but aren’t sure what to expect, this overview will help you understand exactly what’s covered - and why it matters more than ever in 2025. Whether you’re a builder, remodeler, designer, occupational therapist, or real estate professional , the CAPS program equips you with the knowledge, empathy, and technical tools to help older adults and families live safely, comfortably, and

In today’s fast-evolving housing and healthcare landscape, standing out isn’t just about skill- it’s about specialization. For professionals working with older adults, home safety, or aging-in-place design , the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) credential offers exactly that: a competitive advantage. Whether you’re a remodeler, occupational therapist, designer, or housing consultant, earning your CAPS certification sets you apart in an industry that’s expanding rap

When professionals invest in continuing education, they want more than just a certificate - they want real, meaningful change . That’s exactly what the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program delivers. Whether you’re a remodeler, occupational therapist, designer, or senior-care consultant , CAPS equips you with tools you can use immediately—and transforms the way you serve your clients. How CAPS Changes the Way You Work We often hear from graduates who say the CAP

As the population continues to age and multigenerational living becomes more common, the demand for skilled home-modification professionals has never been higher. Whether you’re a remodeler, occupational therapist, designer, or housing consultant, one thing is clear: having the right credentials sets you apart in this competitive and rapidly growing field. If you’re searching for the best online courses for 2026, this guide highlights today’s most valuable and trusted train

As the aging population continues to grow, so does the demand for professionals who can help older adults stay safe and independent at home. For occupational therapists (OTs), this presents an incredible opportunity- not just to serve patients more holistically, but to expand services, reach more clients, and increase revenue . The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) certification is helping OTs do exactly that. Why Occupational Therapists Are Perfectly Suited for CAP

If you’ve been thinking about earning your Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) certification, there’s never been a better time to take action. Demand is rising. The market is expanding. And with virtual access and flexible scheduling , earning your CAPS designation has never been more convenient or more valuable. At Household Guardians , we offer live, online CAPS training taught by award-winning educator Fritzi Gros-Daillon —one of the nation’s leading instructors i