What to Expect from the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) Certification

Fritzi Gros-Daillon
Jun 10
3 min read

Updated: Nov 4

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 independently in the homes they love.

CAPS I: Marketing & Communicating with the Aging-in-Place Client

The first course focuses on the human side of the work - how to communicate compassionately, ethically, and effectively with aging clients and their families.

You’ll learn how to:

Understand your client’s current and future needs
Navigate sensitive conversations around health and independence
Build trust with clients and caregivers
Align your professional services with aging-in-place goals

CAPS I helps you see the full picture - beyond the home itself, into the daily lives and decision-making dynamics of the people who live there.

CAPS II: Design Concepts for Livable Homes and Aging in Place

Once you understand your client’s goals, CAPS II shifts into design and functionality. This course brings universal design principles to life with real-world examples and current product innovations that promote safety, accessibility, and dignity.

Key topics include:

Optimal hallway and doorway dimensions
Lighting design to minimize fall risk
Kitchen and bathroom layout solutions
Entry, ramp, and threshold design
Material and product selections that balance safety with aesthetics

By the end, you’ll be able to confidently collaborate across disciplines - contractors, therapists, and homeowners alike - using shared terminology and standards for livable design.

CAPS III: Details & Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging in Place

This final course ties everything together through applied learning. Using detailed floor-plan analyses and interactive case studies, participants evaluate home layouts and propose tailored modification plans.

You’ll practice how to:

Identify potential hazards and accessibility barriers
Develop realistic, actionable design solutions
Integrate comfort, safety, and style
Present your recommendations clearly to clients and project partners

New in 2025: updated plan sets and real-life CAPS III Floor Plan Solutions, based on contemporary remodels, ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), and multigenerational home layouts. These exercises bring your learning to life through practical application.

“Fritzi’s presentation is excellent - engaging, real, and packed with information I can use immediately.” -Architect/Designer, CAPS Graduate 2024

What Makes Household Guardians CAPS Training Different

Each CAPS session is taught live online by me, Fritzi Gros-Daillon, Master Educator and 2019 NAHB Educator of the Year, and a lifelong advocate for safe, sustainable aging.

Our classes are interactive, discussion-based, and designed to mirror the collaborative process you’ll experience with real clients. I bring stories and examples from decades of work in construction, remodeling, design, and consulting - so you leave with practical insights, not just theory.

You’ll also gain access to fellow professionals from across the country, forming a network of peers committed to raising standards in the aging-in-place field.

Why CAPS Matters in 2025

Did you know? More than 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day, and by 2030, 1 in 5 will be 65 or older. The Aging-in-Place market is projected to exceed $40 billion annually by 2026. New technologies—from smart lighting to AI-driven fall detection—are rapidly reshaping home design standards. Clients increasingly seek certified professionals who can integrate safety, accessibility, and aesthetics seamlessly.

Earning your CAPS credential in 2025 places you at the intersection of design, wellness, and innovation—and demonstrates to clients that you’re part of the national movement creating safer, smarter homes for aging adults.

Ready to Get Started?

CAPS courses are offered monthly via Zoom. Each session runs 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Pacific Time), and participants may complete all three modules over consecutive Fridays or a Wednesday-through-Friday series.

👉 View the upcoming schedule and register here

For group or corporate training inquiries, contact me directly at fritzi@householdguardians.com.

Together, we’re not just building homes — we’re creating environments where people can thrive safely, independently, and with dignity at every stage of life.