Richmond County covers Augusta, Hephzibah and Blythe, and much of its older housing sits in Augusta's ten preserved historic districts. Places like the Augusta Downtown Historic District, Broad Street, Greene Street and Sand Hills hold pre-Civil War and turn-of-the-century multi-story homes where the bedrooms are upstairs.
For a family that wants to keep a parent in one of those houses, a stair lift is often the simplest fix. This page covers which kind of lift suits the homes and lots here, and which Georgia and VA programs may help with the cost.
The Augusta Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register in 2004, and it is one of ten historic districts in the county. Homes in these districts commonly have a staircase to a second floor, which is exactly where a stair lift does its work.
A straight staircase can usually take a straight rail that mounts to the treads, not the walls, so plaster and trim stay intact. Older staircases with a landing turn or a curve need a curved rail built to that specific stair, which takes longer to measure and make.
Outside the historic core, Richmond County has single-family and detached houses, split-level homes, ranch-style homes, townhouses and walk-up apartments. Each one raises a different question.
A split-level often has several short runs of stairs between levels, so we look at which run matters most for daily life. A ranch-style home may have no inside stairs at all, but the steps up to the front or back door can still be the problem. Townhouses usually have a straight run that fits a standard lift well.
The county covers about 329 square miles along the Savannah River fall line, and downtown Augusta sits roughly 900 feet lower in elevation than downtown Atlanta. That Piedmont-edge ground gives many streets and lots a natural slope.
On a sloped lot, the entry steps can be steeper or longer than the stairs inside. An outdoor stair lift with weather-rated parts can handle porch or entry steps, and a platform lift is an option when someone uses a wheelchair and cannot transfer to a seat.
Just over half of households, 51.4%, own their home, which matters because most home modification grants require you to own the house.
If you rent, talk with the landlord before anything is installed. Many stair lifts can be removed later without major damage to the stairs.
Augusta's economy runs on healthcare, the military and cybersecurity, with large employers such as Augusta University's Medical District, Fort Gordon and the Savannah River Site. Incomes vary widely, so some families pay on their own and others look for public or VA help.
The best first call for an older adult is the Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission AAA at 3626 Walton Way Extension, Suite 300, Augusta, 30909, phone (706) 210-2018. Veterans can start with GWVNH-Augusta at 1101 15th Street, (706) 721-4301. Statewide, you can also ask about the Home Access Program and the Credit-Able Loan Program. The programs below explain what each one says about stair lifts.
A state in-home services program for Georgians generally age 60+ (some parts accept 55+) that lists Home Modification and Repair among its services, so stair lifts are covered. In Richmond County it runs through the CSRA Area Agency on Aging; call (866) 552-4464 to confirm current funding.
The regional agency for older adults and adults with disabilities in the 14-county CSRA region, which handles the ADRC and local waiver enrollment; its site does not list stair lift coverage. Call (706) 210-2000 to ask what in-home modification help is funded now.
A Medicaid waiver for frail elderly and disabled Georgians who meet a nursing-facility level of care, covering services like personal care, meals and respite. The program page does not mention stair lifts or home modifications, so confirm with an ADRC case manager.
A Medicaid waiver for ages 21-64 with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury who meet a nursing-facility level of care; home modifications are listed generally, but stair lifts are not named. Call (800) 982-0411 or 888-669-7195 to confirm.
A VA grant of up to $126,526 (FY2026) for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities who own or will own their home, and it covers home modifications including stair lifts. Funds can be used across as many as 6 lifetime disbursements.
A smaller VA grant of up to $25,350 (FY2026) for veterans with certain service-connected losses, burns or respiratory injuries, and it covers home adaptations including stair lifts. It uses the same application channel as the SAH grant.
Older adults
3626 Walton Way Extension, Suite 300, Augusta, 30909
Veterans
1101 15th Street, Augusta, 30901
Usually, yes. Rails mount to the stair treads rather than the walls, which suits the pre-Civil War and turn-of-the-century homes in districts like Broad Street, Greene Street and Sand Hills. Curved or landing stairs need a custom rail.
Many lots in the county slope because of the fall line terrain, so entry steps are a common problem. An outdoor stair lift can handle those steps, and a platform lift is an option for someone who uses a wheelchair.
Start with the Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission AAA at (706) 210-2018. It delivers Georgia's Home and Community-Based Services, which lists home modification and repair among its services.
The Georgia Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP) serves ages 21-64 with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury. It lists home modifications generally, so call (800) 982-0411 to confirm whether a stair lift qualifies.
Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities may use the VA SAH grant, up to $126,526, or the SHA grant, up to $25,350 (FY2026). Both cover home modifications. GWVNH-Augusta can be reached at (706) 721-4301.
For the VA SAH and SHA grants, the veteran must own or will own the home. Other programs do not state this in our sources, so ask the agency when you call.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
