Working with an Aging in Place Specialist: What You Need to Know
Growing older doesn’t mean you have to give up the home you love. For many seniors and their families across Southern New England, the decision to age in place represents independence, dignity, and the comfort of familiar surroundings. However, making your home safe and accessible for the years ahead requires more than simple modifications. It requires the expertise of a qualified aging in place specialist who understands both the technical requirements and the emotional significance of these changes.
What Is an Aging in Place Specialist?
An aging in place specialist is a trained professional who helps seniors remain safely and comfortably in their homes as they age. Unlike general contractors or handymen, these specialists hold certifications and have extensive knowledge about mobility challenges, safety risks, and home modification solutions specifically designed for older adults.
At Home Healthsmith, our founder Bill Bohmbach is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist with an Executive Certificate for Home Modification Program. This specialized training, combined with over 40 years of experience serving families in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, means we understand the unique challenges seniors face and how to address them with practical, dignity-preserving solutions.
The Hidden Risks in Your Home
Most homes weren’t designed with aging in mind. What once seemed like minor inconveniences can become serious safety hazards as mobility decreases or balance becomes an issue. Stairs that were never a problem suddenly feel treacherous. Bathrooms become danger zones with slippery surfaces and hard-to-reach fixtures. Inadequate lighting creates trip hazards, and doorways may not accommodate walkers or wheelchairs.
The statistics are sobering. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, and many of these accidents happen at home. An aging in place specialist is trained to identify these risks before they result in injury. Through a comprehensive home safety audit, specialists can spot potential dangers that family members might overlook, from loose grab bars to trip hazards and malfunctioning equipment.
The SafeHome Audit: A Comprehensive Approach
Home Healthsmith’s SafeHome Audit provides exactly the kind of thorough assessment every family needs when considering aging in place. During this visit, our specialists meet with you to discuss your mobility needs, personal goals, and home upgrade project ideas. We encourage families to include adult children or home care specialists in this meeting because aging in place is often a family decision.
This audit goes beyond a simple walkthrough. Our specialists examine everything from stairlifts that need servicing to doors that don’t function properly, from inadequate lighting to bathroom configurations that pose fall risks. We then provide a complete outline of services, a detailed project estimate, and practical solutions tailored to your specific situation and budget.
What sets a true aging in place specialist apart is the ability to think ahead. We don’t just address current needs; we anticipate future challenges. Your mobility requirements today may be different from what you’ll need in five years, and our recommendations reflect that forward-thinking approach.
Quality Installation Makes All the Difference
Having the right equipment is only half the battle. Improper installation can render even the best safety devices ineffective or, worse, dangerous. This is where working with experienced professionals becomes critical.
Consider grab bar installation, for example. At Home Healthsmith, we use medical-grade stainless steel knurled bars identical to those found in hospitals and ADA-compliant facilities. Our installers ensure each bar is level and positioned at the right height for the client. When installing in tile, we use diamond-coated hole saws to create clean cuts without cracking. We secure bars using wing-it toggle anchors that grip the back side of walls, or wood screws when we encounter studs.
This level of attention to detail extends to every installation, whether we’re installing a simple grab bar or a complex residential elevator. Our SafeHome Install process includes protecting your floors and furnishings, meticulous installation, thorough testing and adjustment, comprehensive training on how to use the equipment, complete cleanup, and follow-up calls to ensure your satisfaction.
The Ongoing Support You Deserve
One of the most valuable aspects of working with a dedicated aging in place specialist is the ongoing relationship. Your needs will evolve over time, and your home should evolve with you. That’s the philosophy behind Home Healthsmith’s SafeHome Advantage membership program.
This comprehensive support program includes trimester home safety audits every four months, where our technicians review your equipment and conduct thorough safety checks. We examine everything from loose handles in the bathroom to faulty light switches in the kitchen. Members also receive discounts on community services, access to educational resources through our newsletter, and most importantly, the peace of mind that comes from knowing a trusted professional is looking out for your safety.
The Home Healthsmith Difference
As a family-owned company with over 40 years of experience, Home Healthsmith brings something larger companies cannot: a personal touch and genuine commitment to improving lives. Our core values include always providing outstanding customer service, showing up on time, finishing what we start, and treating every client with respect and consideration.
President Linda Bohmbach is a Certified Dementia Practitioner with an Executive Certificate for Home Modification Program, bringing specialized knowledge to families dealing with cognitive challenges. Our entire leadership team is dedicated to innovation, solving difficult problems, and using proven project management processes to deliver on our promises.
We also service what we sell. Unlike companies that install equipment and disappear, we maintain long-term relationships with our clients. When you work with Home Healthsmith, you gain a partner invested in your continued safety and independence.
Experience the Solutions Firsthand
Understanding these modifications is easier when you can see and try them yourself. That’s why Home Healthsmith maintains the Accessibility Living Suite showroom, where you can demo innovative accessibility products in a home-like setting. From residential elevators and stairlifts to vertical platform lifts, ceiling lifts, and grab bars, our showroom allows you to experience solutions before making decisions.
Taking the First Step
Aging in place successfully requires planning, expertise, and ongoing support. Working with a qualified aging in place specialist ensures that your home modifications are done right the first time, that safety risks are properly identified and addressed, and that you have a trusted partner as your needs evolve.
If you or a loved one are considering aging in place in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, Home Healthsmith’s team of certified specialists is here to help. With over four decades of experience, comprehensive services from audit through installation and ongoing maintenance, and a genuine commitment to improving quality of life, we’re ready to help you maintain your independence in the home you love.
Don’t wait until an accident happens. Contact Home Healthsmith today to schedule your SafeHome Audit and discover how the right aging in place specialist can make all the difference in your safety, comfort, and independence.
