Lifespan Home Modifications is committed to providing the best age-appropriate housing design, specification and construction services so older adults can live safely and comfortably in a home of their choice over their lifetime.
About us
Our company specializes in the unique connection between home construction and remodeling and the support services that allow older adults to continue living at home. We constantly monitor new products, developments and apply the best practices in home modifications, Universal Design and Aging-In-Place. Our expertise in gerontology results in housing that adapts to the changing physical and cognitive needs of older adults. We work closely with family caregivers, home healthcare providers and medical professionals to make eldercare safer and easier. For over a decade we have worked with homeowners, residential contractors and multi-family housing developers. Our completed projects range from lighting designs for aging eyes to new home construction, kitchen and bathroom renovations and retirement community specifications.
Founder
Lifespan Home Modifications was founded in 2001 as a specialty sub-contractor with expertise in “Aging-In-Place” and Universal Design. Company Founder, Karla Mathewson Zervos, was the first Alaskan to receive the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation from the National Association of Home Builders. She earned an Occupational Endorsement in Residential / Light Construction from the University of Alaska and an Executive Certificate from the University of Southern California Andrus Gerontology Center’s National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modifications. She is an instructor for the National Association of Home Builders Certified Aging–In–Place Specialist program. Through the Alaska State Homebuilding Association and Interior Alaska Building Association she trains contractors seeking credits for their State of Alaska residential endorsement certification. She has offered a wide range of seminars, workshops and presentations at statewide conferences including Access in the Last Frontier, the Care of the Elderly conference and the Alaska Association of Social Workers conference and for events like the Juneau and Fairbanks Home Shows and the Parade of Homes. From 2005 to 2010 she authored a monthly Home Modifications column for Alaska’s “Senior Voice” newspaper and she has written articles for “Alaska Building Science News” and the “Fairbanks Daily News Miner”. From 2018-2021 she volunteered to coordinate the start-up of a home modifications program for the Fairbanks Senior Center.
Lifespan Gives Back to the Community
Through donated goods, services, financial contributions and service on non-profit organizations’ Board of Directors, our company supports the amazing work of many Alaskan groups including:
Gift certificates donated for non-profit fundraising
Aging At Home Fairbanks (Village to Village Network affiliate) Alaska Geriatric Education Center Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Alaska Older Persons Action Group Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska Fairbanks Resource Agency
Fairbanks Senior Center Helping Hands Home Modifications
Habitat for Humanity Interior Alaska Greenstar Interior Senior Services Providers Network Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Retired Seniors Volunteer Program Retirement Community of Fairbanks Sitka Brave Heart Volunteers Caregivers Support Group Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium University of Alaska Southeast Construction Technology Program
Fees for Services
Fees are based on the nature and scope of work and determined in cooperation with our clients. We provide free cost estimates. As part of our services we also advise clients about possible funding sources they may not have considered. Payment for services can be based on time and materials, a fixed fee per project or on an hourly rate. A retainer is required before work begins.
Contact us
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Monday - Saturday 8 AM-6 PM Alaska Standard Time and by appointment
