Episode 18:2 Heather Brooks on supporting aging in place and the growing trend of adult daycare

Heather Brooks, CAPS, SRES, is an aging specialist and community educator focused on helping older adults age in the right place. She shares her ‘secret sauce’ for aging well in community—including universal design, age friendly home modifications, respite care, age-tech, and access to crucial social determinants of health.

About Heather

Heather Brooks is the National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC) Housing Committee Chair and Founding Chapter Chair for NAIPC in SE Florida. She has spent nearly three decades in real estate, specializing in helping seniors "Modify or Move." She is Certified Aging In-Place Specialist (CAPS)Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and SFR® certifications National Association of Home Builders National Association of Home Builders.

Heather is the founder of "How 2 Age Your Way" and "Step Up Housing", connecting communities and promoting affordable housing for seniors. She is actively involved in NAIPC and SE Florida's founding chapter chair. She has been featured on top podcasts like the NKBA Webinar Series, spoken at the International Builders Show and advocate for aging in place through education and neighborhood initiatives.

Key Takeaways

• The nation’s housing infrastructure is insufficient to support the aging population. The average home is 44 years old and less than 5% of our nation's housing units can accommodate individuals with mobility issues.
• Sixty percent of falls happen at home, and one in four adults report taking a fall.
• Key aging in place features include step free entries and access to a bedroom and full bathroom on the 1st floor. Important home modifications include installing grab bars, non-slip flooring surfaces, improved lighting, multi-level countertops and replacing doorknobs with lever handles.
• Universal design goes beyond ADA requirements to design environments that are accessible and usable by all ages and all abilities, whether you have a wheelchair or a stroller.
• Age-friendly communities are huge drivers of aging well. They encompass more than the home you live in. Social determinants of health like access to transportation, medical care and connections to family and friends are crucial for healthy longevity.

There are 4,130 licensed adult day centers in the US servicing 237,000 people daily. The industry is experiencing huge growth as families recognize the importance of taking breaks from caregiving. Adult daycare combats caregiver burnout and is significantly less expensive than homecare.