R.I. designers get senior-living certification

Three designers at Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath have received certification in designing home environments accommodating senior citizens living in their homes.
Rose Champagne of West Warwick, Donna Singleton of Cumberland and Prudence Stoddard of Rehoboth all earned the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation from the National Association of Home Builders Remodelors’ Council.
As more and more elderly people chose to stay in their homes as they age, the program teaches designers to plan ahead for days when mobility may not be as easy as it once was.
“We are pleased to now have on staff four aging-in-place specialists to serve the needs of our maturing population,” said Steven St. Onge, president and owner of Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath, who earned his CAPS designation in 2007. “Remaining in one’s home safely, independently and comfortably is a goal that many people share. It’s important that our designers have a sensitivity to this focus, and can put their knowledge and skills into creating the most beneficial kitchen and bath remodeling work.”
The NAHB Remodelors’ Council, in collaboration with the AARP, NAHB Research Center, and NAHB Seniors Housing Council, developed the CAPS certification program to provide comprehensive, practical, market-specific information about working with older and maturing adults to remodel their homes for aging-in-place. It is the only national designation program dedicated to improving the knowledge of remodelers who want to serve this segment of the residential remodeling market.
Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath is a Warwick company specializing in kitchen, bath and interior renovations. Information about the company can be found at www.rikb.com/.
An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath is located in West Warwick; it is located in Warwick.