From Multnomah County and Washington County out to Harney County, Wallowa County and Malheur County, Oregon covers 354 towns, and we have a page for every county in the state. The homes in Clatsop County and Curry County look nothing like the homes in Deschutes County or Klamath County, so the stair lift that fits one house may not fit the next.
This hub explains the basic types of stair lifts and how to tell which one your stairs need. It also covers the Oregon and federal programs that can help pay for one. If you already know your county, jump to its page for local details.
Oregon has a population of 3,447,711, and 17.1% of residents are 65 or older. Many of those people still live in the homes where they raised their families, often with bedrooms or laundry on another floor.
About 59.9% of Oregonians own their homes. That matters, because an owner can approve the installation directly, while a renter usually needs the landlord's permission first.
A straight stair lift is the simplest case: one run of stairs with no turns or landings in the middle. It mounts on a rail fastened to the stair treads, not the wall, and is usually the quickest to install.
If your stairs turn, wrap around a landing or curve, you need a curved lift with a rail built to the shape of your staircase. That takes measuring and more time to build, so plan ahead if a hospital discharge or surgery date is coming.
For steps outside the house, such as a porch or a path down to a lower entrance, an outdoor lift uses weather-resistant parts. When the person uses a wheelchair and cannot transfer to a seat, a platform lift is usually the better answer.
Count your steps and note any turns, landings or doors at the top or bottom. Check whether there is an outlet near the bottom or top of the stairs.
Think about who will ride the lift and how. Someone who can sit and swivel safely does well with a seat lift. Someone who cannot stand at all should ask about a platform lift from the start.
Oregon has more help than many people expect. The Oregon K Plan (Community First Choice) is a Medicaid benefit with no fixed cap on accessibility home modifications, set by your approved plan. Oregon Project Independence offers in-home support, and its OPI-M side includes a home modification benefit of up to $5,000.
If you do not qualify for those, Northwest Access Fund loans offer low-interest financing, up to $60,000 for home modifications or up to $25,000 as an AT loan at 5% APR. Veterans should call the VA, since VA Prosthetics can cover a medically prescribed stair lift with no set dollar cap. Details and phone numbers for each program are listed below.
A Medicaid State Plan benefit that covers accessibility home modifications, with no fixed cap; the amount depends on your approved plan. Call (855) 673-2372 to ask about eligibility.
A state-funded in-home support program; OPI-M is Medicaid-linked and includes a home modification benefit of up to $5,000. Call (855) 673-2372.
Low-interest loans for stair lifts and home accessibility modifications: up to $60,000 for a home modification loan or up to $25,000 for an AT loan at 5% APR. Call (877) 428-5116.
VA Prosthetics (PSAS) can cover the stair lift itself when medically prescribed, with no set dollar cap, while the HISA grant ($6,800 service-connected, $2,000 non-service-connected) covers ramps and structural changes, not the lift. Call (877) 222-8387.
The Oregon K Plan (Community First Choice) is a Medicaid State Plan benefit that covers accessibility home modifications with no fixed cap; the amount follows your approved plan. Call (855) 673-2372 to start.
Oregon Project Independence is state funded, and its Medicaid-linked OPI-M side offers up to $5,000 for home modifications. You can also look at Northwest Access Fund loans by calling (877) 428-5116.
No. HISA covers ramps and structural changes, up to $6,800 for service-connected or $2,000 for non-service-connected veterans. The stair lift itself goes through VA Prosthetics (PSAS) when medically prescribed. Call (877) 222-8387.
Yes. Northwest Access Fund offers home modification loans up to $60,000 and AT loans up to $25,000 at 5% APR through the Oregon Statewide AT Program.
Yes, you need a curved stair lift with a rail made to fit your staircase. It takes longer than a straight lift, so ask for a measurement visit early.
We have pages for every Oregon county, including Harney County and Wheeler County. Open your county's page to request a quote.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
