CAPS CAPS Home Assessment & Needs Planning 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The primary goal of an aging-in-place home assessment conducted by a CAPS professional is to:
- Determine the market value of the home
- Identify barriers and recommend modifications to support safe independent living (Correct answer)
- Evaluate curb appeal for potential resale
- Assess the home for historical significance
Correct answer: Identify barriers and recommend modifications to support safe independent living
The primary goal of the assessment is to identify physical barriers in the home and recommend modifications that support the client's safety, independence, and quality of life.
Question 2: Which professional is most commonly partnered with a CAPS contractor to conduct a comprehensive aging-in-place home assessment?
- Real estate appraiser
- Occupational therapist (OT) (Correct answer)
- Interior decorator
- Landscape architect
Correct answer: Occupational therapist (OT)
Occupational therapists assess a client's functional abilities and activity limitations, complementing the CAPS contractor's structural and modification expertise.
Question 3: During a home assessment, a CAPS professional notices the doorways are 30 inches wide. According to ADA/accessibility standards, the recommended clear width for wheelchair access is:
- 28 inches
- 32 inches
- 34 inches
- 36 inches (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 36 inches
A clear opening width of 36 inches is recommended for comfortable wheelchair passage, with 32 inches as the absolute minimum per ADA guidelines.
Question 4: When assessing flooring for an aging-in-place client, which characteristic poses the greatest fall risk?
- Low-pile carpet in a bedroom
- Highly polished or slippery hard-surface flooring (Correct answer)
- Non-slip vinyl in the bathroom
- Cork flooring in the kitchen
Correct answer: Highly polished or slippery hard-surface flooring
Highly polished or slippery hard-surface flooring significantly increases the risk of falls, especially for older adults with balance or mobility challenges.
Question 5: A CAPS assessment should document the client's current and anticipated future functional needs because aging-in-place modifications should:
- Only address current limitations
- Address both present barriers and likely future changes in the client's abilities (Correct answer)
- Focus exclusively on aesthetic improvements
- Prioritize resale value over usability
Correct answer: Address both present barriers and likely future changes in the client's abilities
Effective aging-in-place design anticipates progressive changes in the client's physical abilities so that modifications remain functional over time without requiring repeated renovations.
Question 6: Which area of the home is statistically the most common location for falls among older adults?
- The living room
- The bedroom
- The bathroom (Correct answer)
- The kitchen
Correct answer: The bathroom
The bathroom is the most common location for falls among older adults due to wet, slippery surfaces and the physical demands of bathing and toileting.
CAPS CAPS Home Assessment & Needs Planning 1
The primary goal of an aging-in-place home assessment conducted by a CAPS professional is to: