Oglethorpe County is spread across about 442 square miles of Georgia Piedmont, with the Broad River running through most of it and homes scattered between Lexington, Crawford, Arnoldsville and Maxeys. Many of those homes are older farmhouses set on raised foundations, with entry steps built long before anyone wrote accessibility codes.
That mix of country houses, ranch-style homes, split-levels and 19th-century homes in Historic Lexington means no two stair setups here look alike. This page walks through which kind of stair lift tends to fit each type of house, and which Georgia and federal programs may help with the cost.
A lot of rural properties in the county sit up off the ground, so the first problem is often getting from the yard to the front door. For those homes, an outdoor stair lift built to handle weather, or a platform lift for someone who uses a wheelchair, is usually the conversation we start with.
Inside, older farmhouses can have narrow or steep staircases. A straight stair lift fits many of them, but we measure the width, the pitch and any landings before recommending one.
Ranch-style homes keep most living space on one floor, so the stairs that matter are usually the porch steps or a flight down to a basement. Split-level homes are different: they have several short flights, and a person may need to climb more than one to reach the bedroom or laundry.
Short flights that turn or connect through a landing often call for a curved stair lift, since a straight rail cannot follow the bend. Where each short flight is straight, separate straight units can sometimes do the job.
The county seat has 19th-century homes and storefronts, and older staircases there may have tight turns or decorative railings. A curved stair lift is built to the exact shape of the stair, which is why we take careful measurements on site.
For low-rise buildings with shared stairwells, ask the owner or manager about installation before planning anything. We can explain the options once that permission is sorted out.
Every town here is rural, and services sit at a distance in Athens-Clarke County, so staying home safely often matters more than it would in a city.
A stair lift can help someone keep using the whole house instead of moving a bed into the living room. It also cuts down on trips that family members make just to help with the stairs.
Help depends on age, disability, Medicaid status and veteran status. The Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging is the best first call for most older homeowners, and its home-based services list home modification and repair. The Independent Care Waiver Program also lists home modifications for adults under 65 with severe physical disabilities.
Veterans can contact the Georgia Department of Veterans Service – Athens Office at (706) 733-0188 to ask about VA grants. Other statewide options you can ask about include the Home Access Program, the Credit-Able Loan Program and VA Benefits for Veterans (HISA + Prosthetics). The program list below has details and phone numbers.
In-home services for people 60 and older (some at 55 and older), with Assistive Technology and Home Modification and Repair listed among them. Call (866) 552-4464, or the regional office at (706) 583-2546.
A Georgia Medicaid waiver for adults age 21 to 64 with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury who meet an institutional level of care, and its services include home modifications. Call (800) 982-0411.
A Medicaid waiver for elderly and disabled Georgians who qualify for nursing-facility level of care, covering services like personal care, adult daycare and home-delivered meals; the source does not mention stair lifts or home modifications. Call (866) 552-4464.
Helps Medicaid beneficiaries move from a hospital, nursing home or other institution back to a community home, including environmental modifications for accessibility; stair lifts are not mentioned by the source. Call (404) 651-9961.
The regional version of nursing-home-to-community support for Medicaid recipients who have lived in a nursing home or institution at least 3 months, listing equipment, supplies and environmental modifications; stair lifts are not mentioned by the source. Call (800) 474-7540.
A VA grant of up to $126,526 for FY2026 to buy, build or change a home for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities; the source does not mention stair lifts. Call (800) 827-1000.
A VA grant of up to $25,350 for FY2026 for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities such as loss of use of both hands; the source does not mention stair lifts. Call (800) 827-1000.
Older adults
305 Research Drive, Athens, 30605
Veterans
9249 U.S. Highway 29, Athens, 30601
Often, yes. Raised foundations are common on older rural properties in the county, and an outdoor stair lift or a platform lift is the usual answer for entry steps. We measure the steps first to see which one fits.
The Independent Care Waiver Program serves adults age 21 to 64 with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury who meet an institutional level of care, and it lists home modifications. Call (800) 982-0411 to ask about eligibility. Some Area Agency on Aging services also start at 55.
The Northeast Georgia Regional Commission AAA is at 305 Research Drive, Athens, GA 30605, and the phone is (706) 583-2546. It serves Oglethorpe County along with several neighboring counties.
The VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant goes up to $126,526 and the Special Home Adaptation Grant up to $25,350 for FY2026, for qualifying service-connected disabilities. Call the VA at (800) 827-1000 or the Georgia Department of Veterans Service – Athens Office at (706) 733-0188.
Georgia Money Follows the Person and the NEGRC Community Transitions Program both help Medicaid recipients move back home and list environmental modifications. Call (404) 651-9961 or (800) 474-7540 to ask what applies.
It depends on the layout. If the flights connect through a turn or landing, one curved stair lift may cover both. If they are separate straight runs, two straight units can work.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
