Home Healthsmith LLC

04/21/2026

When most people picture a home elevator, they imagine something clinical and utilitarian. Cambridge elevators are the opposite of that.

Cambridge has been building residential elevators for 36 years, and one of the things that sets their models apart is how completely customizable the cab finishes are. We're talking about a real design conversation — fixtures that coordinate with your home's interior, automatic sliding doors that conceal the elevator shaft behind a standard swing door when not in use, and options that genuinely blend into the home rather than announcing themselves.

Their lineup ranges from the compact, budget-conscious E-50 (50"x50" shaft, built for tighter floor plans) to the Heritage model with a 1,500-lb capacity and infrared safety light curtain — and everything in between.

If you've been curious about what a residential elevator could actually look like in your home, come see one in person at our Accessibility Living Suite showroom in Portsmouth, RI: 👉 https://homehealthsmith.com/solutions/cambridge-elevators/

04/16/2026

Here's the logic behind one of the most underused funding sources for aging-in-place modifications:

States would rather help pay for a $5,000 stairlift than a $90,000 annual nursing home stay.

That's the reasoning behind Medicaid's Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs — and in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, these programs can cover part or all of the cost of stairlifts, ramps, and bathroom safety modifications for families who qualify.

Most families we talk to have never heard of this option. And it's just one of several paths — VA grants, state housing programs, tax deductions, rental arrangements, and sibling cost-splitting strategies all make the list in our financing guide.

Cost shouldn't be the reason a parent's safety gets delayed. Start here: 👉 https://homehealthsmith.com/how-to-pay-for-aging-in-place-home-modifications-a-guide-to-financing-insurance-and-assistance-programs/

04/15/2026

Here's something that surprises a lot of families: to safely accommodate just 5 steps using a wheelchair ramp, you'd need at least 35 feet of ramp — plus landing platforms at any turns. Seven steps? You're close to 50 feet.

On many New England properties, that's simply not possible. The lot isn't big enough, the layout doesn't allow it, or winter would make a ramp that long genuinely dangerous to use.

That's where vertical platform lifts come in. A VPL requires about a 5x5-foot footprint. It can go against a porch, inside a garage, or along the exterior — and it moves the person and their mobility device together, no transfers required.

Our newest blog breaks down how they work, when they make more sense than a ramp (or a stairlift), and what installation actually looks like: 👉 https://homehealthsmith.com/vertical-platform-lifts-the-home-accessibility-solution-more-families-should-know-about/

04/10/2026

Do you know where the highest-risk areas are in your parent's home?

We call them Red Zones — the places where falls and accidents are most likely to happen. Bathrooms. Kitchens. Staircases. Front and back porches. Garage steps.

Most families don't think about these spaces until something goes wrong. But a professional eye can spot hazards that are easy to miss when you see a home every day — a slightly uneven threshold, a light switch that's hard to reach, a staircase without the right support.

That's exactly what our free SafeHome Audit is designed for. We go room to room, identify what needs attention, and give you a clear, honest picture of what your parent's home needs — with no pressure and no obligation.

If you've been meaning to take a closer look, this is the easiest first step: 👉 https://homehealthsmith.com/services/safehome-audit/

04/09/2026

Not all walkers are the same — and some are genuinely more clever than others.

The Rollz Flex rollator we carry converts from a walker into a transport chair in seconds. One device. One quick flip of the wrist. Walk when you can, ride when you need to — without swapping equipment or relying on someone else to bring a separate chair.

We also carry the Escape Walker, designed with features that make a real difference: the easiest-to-apply brakes on the market (important for anyone with reduced hand strength), ergonomic grips that reduce wrist strain, and a fold-flat design that actually stands upright on its own while folded — making it easier to store and lift into a car.

If your parent's current walker is more obstacle than aid, it might be time to see what else is out there.

👉 https://homehealthsmith.com/solutions/walker-and-rollaters/

04/08/2026

If you've been wondering whether your home is ready to support your family as it ages — the Rhode Island Home Show is the perfect place to start finding answers.

We'll be at Booth 909 April 10–12 with our team on hand to talk through your specific situation. No pressure, no sales pitch — just honest conversation about what's possible and what might make sense for your home.

In 40+ years of helping New England families stay safe and independent at home, we've learned that most people don't know what options they have until they see them in person.

Come see us — and check out this year's preview before you go:
🎥 https://vimeo.com/reviews/287ea730-65b9-43ab-8792-7308266ebea9/videos/1177086281

📍 Rhode Island Home Show | April 10–12 | Booth 909

04/07/2026

"Medicare covers that, right?"

It's the first question most families ask. And for stairlifts, ramps, grab bars, and vertical platform lifts — the answer is no. Medicare classifies these as home modifications, not medical equipment, so they fall outside coverage.

But that's not the end of the road. It's just the wrong starting point.

Our guide walks through what actually does cover these costs: Medicaid HCBS waivers (designed specifically to help people stay home rather than move to a facility), VA grants for veterans, state and local assistance programs right here in New England, equipment rentals, and federal tax deductions many families don't know they qualify for.

Cost shouldn't be the reason your parent's safety gets put off. Start here: 👉 https://homehealthsmith.com/how-to-pay-for-aging-in-place-home-modifications-a-guide-to-financing-insurance-and-assistance-programs/

How to Pay for Aging in Place Home Modifications: A Guide to Financing, Insurance, and Assistance ProgramsMarch 14, 2026/in Senior Information/by Linda BohmbachYou’ve done the research. You know your parent needs a stairlift, grab bars in the bathroom, or maybe a wheelchair ramp to stay safe at ho...

04/03/2026

We're heading to the 2026 Rhode Island Home Show — and we'd love to see you there! 🏠

From April 10–12, stop by Booth 909 to meet our team, explore aging-in-place solutions in person, and ask all the questions you've been meaning to ask. Whether you're thinking about a stairlift, a vertical platform lift, bathroom safety upgrades, or just starting to plan — we're here and ready to help.

Get a sneak peek at what this year's show has in store 👇 🎥 https://vimeo.com/reviews/287ea730-65b9-43ab-8792-7308266ebea9/videos/1177086281

📍 Rhode Island Home Show | April 10–12 | Booth 909

Tag a friend or family member who should come along!

04/01/2026

If your parent uses a wheelchair, power chair, or scooter, a stairlift probably isn't the answer. Stairlifts move the person — not the mobility device. Which means your loved one would need a second chair on the other level, and would have to transfer safely between the two. For many families, that's not realistic.

That's where a vertical platform lift changes everything. It raises the person and their chair together — no transfers, no second device, no worrying about what happens at the top.

Our newest blog breaks down exactly how VPLs work, when they make more sense than a ramp, and why New England homeowners in particular are discovering they're often the smarter fit.

👉 https://homehealthsmith.com/vertical-platform-lifts-the-home-accessibility-solution-more-families-should-know-about/

Vertical Platform Lifts: The Home Accessibility Solution More Families Should Know AboutMarch 25, 2026/in Vertical Platform Lifts/by Linda BohmbachWhen families start thinking about accessibility modifications, their minds usually go to two places: stairlifts and wheelchair ramps. Both are excellent...

03/26/2026

A lot of companies will sell you a stairlift and walk out the door. That's not how we work.

The SafeHome Advantage™ is our ongoing home support program — designed to keep your family protected long after installation day. Every four months, our technicians come to you for a full home safety check: equipment, bathroom handles, lighting, anything that might have shifted since the last visit. You also get access to discounted community resources and the confidence of knowing someone is looking in.

It's the difference between a transaction and a relationship.

Here's how the full SafeHome process works, from initial audit to long-term support:
🔗 https://homehealthsmith.com/services/safehome-advantage/

03/24/2026

Planning a home renovation or building new?

Here's something worth thinking about early: adding a residential elevator is significantly easier — and less expensive — when it's part of the original plan.

A standard unfinished hoistway of just 5' x 5' is enough for most home elevators. That's a small footprint for something that can transform how a home functions for decades to come.

Home Health Smith has been in the elevator business for over 40 years, and we work directly with architects, builders, and project managers across RI, MA, and CT to make the process straightforward from day one. We partner exclusively with Inclinator Company of America, a family-owned manufacturer with a 100-year track record.

Learn more about residential elevator options — and download our free planning guide:
🔗 https://homehealthsmith.com/solutions/residential-elevators/

03/20/2026

"We know we need to make changes to Mom's house — we just don't know how we'd ever pay for it."
We hear this all the time. And the honest answer? There are more options than most families realize.

Our newest blog breaks down the real landscape of financing aging in place home modifications — from Medicaid HCBS waivers and VA grants, to state and local assistance programs, equipment rentals, home equity options, and even federal tax deductions. We also cover what Medicare does and doesn't cover in 2026 (it's more nuanced than a simple no).

If cost has been the reason your family keeps putting off a safety conversation, this is worth a read:
🔗 https://homehealthsmith.com/how-to-pay-for-aging-in-place-home-modifications-a-guide-to-financing-insurance-and-assistance-programs/

Not sure where to start? Our free SafeHome Audit helps you identify what your parent's home actually needs — and gives you the documentation to support funding applications:
https://homehealthsmith.com/services/safehome-audit/