Martin County sits in the Hoosier Uplands, where wooded hills are cut with drainages and the East Fork of the White River flows southwestward through the lower part of the county. Homes in Loogootee, Shoals and Crane often sit on sloped lots, which means steps at the entry, steps to a basement and sometimes stairs on the outside of the house too.
Much of the land is spoken for. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division takes up roughly one-third of the county and Hoosier National Forest about one-quarter, and the 2020 Census counted 100.0% of residents as rural. That leaves an older, long-tenured housing stock, and this page walks through what that means for a stair lift and how people here pay for one.
On a sloped lot, a house tends to have more than one set of stairs. There may be a full flight between floors, a few steps from the garage or a walk-out basement, and a run of steps up from the driveway to the porch.
Each of those calls for a different answer. A straight indoor flight usually takes a straight stair lift, which rides a rail fastened to the stair treads. Steps exposed to Indiana weather need an outdoor model built for it, and a short rise at an entry is sometimes better served by a platform lift, especially if a wheelchair is involved.
Housing across the county includes single-family homes, detached houses, manufactured homes, modular homes and low-rise buildings. Single-family and detached houses with a straight staircase are the most common fit for a straight rail.
Stairs with a landing, a turn or a curve need a curved stair lift, where the rail is made to follow that specific staircase. Manufactured and modular homes usually have few interior stairs, so the concern there is more often the entry steps, where an outdoor lift or a platform lift comes into play.
If you rent in a building such as Southwind Manor in Loogootee, Stonebrook of Shoals or Eagle Place Apartments, talk with the property manager first. Some of those units are already set up for accessibility, and any installation in a rental needs the owner's approval.
About 23.8% of Martin County residents are 65 or older, and the county's median age of 43.0 runs above the statewide figure of 38.6. Many of those residents have been in the same house for years and would rather stay than move.
If that includes you or a parent, the Martin County Veterans Services Office in Shoals is worth a call before you settle on how to pay, since VA rules on stair lifts are specific.
The clearest public source here is the Indiana Health & Wellness Medicaid HCBS Waiver, which names stair lifts among its home modifications for eligible residents ages 0-59. For people 60 and older, the Indiana PathWays for Aging Medicaid Waiver lists home modifications, though its source does not name stair lifts, so ask directly.
Generations Area 13 Agency on Aging is the local starting point for both waivers. Statewide, it is also worth asking about the CHOICE Program and the INDATA Alternative Financing Program (AFP).
For veterans, know that the VA HISA grant explicitly excludes stair glides. VA SAH and SHA grants can modify a home but do not name stair lifts. USDA Section 504 repair loans and grants, ATTIC, Inc. and the Martin County Community Foundation round out the local options listed below.
A Medicaid waiver for Indiana residents ages 0-59 with a disability who meet a nursing-facility level of care and Medicaid financial rules; its home modifications benefit lists stair lifts. Martin County residents enroll through Generations Area 13 Agency on Aging, and the program line is (800) 403-0864.
Indiana's managed-care waiver for Medicaid members age 60 and older who meet a nursing-facility level of care; it lists home modifications and home modification assessments but the source does not mention stair lifts. Call (877) 284-9294.
The Area Agency on Aging serving Martin County from Vincennes, offering case management, options counseling and help applying for the H&W or PathWays waivers; its website does not mention stair lifts. Call (812) 888-5880.
Loans for very low-income rural homeowners, with grants for those age 62 or older who cannot repay a loan, to remove hazards and make homes accessible for people with disabilities; stair lifts are not mentioned by name. Call (812) 482-1171.
A VA grant of up to $6,800 or $2,000 lifetime for medically necessary home alterations, but it does not cover stair lifts; the VA explicitly excludes stair glides and porch lifts. Call (800) 827-1000.
Grants of up to $126,526 (SAH) or $25,350 (SHA) for FY2026 to buy, build or modify a home for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities; the source gives ramps and doorway widening as examples and does not mention stair lifts. Call (800) 827-1000.
A county office at 129 Main Street in Shoals that helps veterans and spouses with pensions, compensation and VA forms; it does not grant funds or mention stair lifts. Call (812) 247-2210.
The Center for Independent Living serving Martin County from Vincennes, listing a Ramp Project among its services; a stair lift program is not mentioned. Call (812) 886-0575 to ask about current home-accessibility help.
A Loogootee grantmaker that manages endowment funds and returns income as grants and scholarships; no stair lift or home-modification fund is named, but you can ask about other assistance. Call (812) 295-1022.
Older adults
1019 N. 4th St., Vincennes, 47591
Veterans
129 Main St / PO Box 725, Shoals, 47581
The Indiana Health & Wellness Medicaid HCBS Waiver lists stair lifts among its home modifications for eligible residents ages 0-59. The PathWays for Aging waiver for people 60 and older lists home modifications but does not name stair lifts, so ask Generations Area 13 Agency on Aging at (812) 888-5880.
No. The VA explicitly excludes stair glides and porch lifts from HISA. It can help with permanent changes such as entrance ramps or accessible bathrooms, and the Martin County Veterans Services Office at (812) 247-2210 can help sort out other VA benefits.
Generations Area 13 Agency on Aging, based at 1019 N. 4th St. in Vincennes, is the intake point for Martin County. Their number is (812) 888-5880.
Often, yes. Outdoor stair lifts are built for exposed steps, and a platform lift can suit a short rise at the entry, especially for a wheelchair. The right choice depends on the number of steps and the space at the top and bottom.
USDA Section 504 offers grants to very low-income rural homeowners age 62 or older who cannot repay a loan, for removing hazards and making homes accessible. Stair lifts are not named specifically, so call (812) 482-1171 to ask.
Manufactured homes usually have few interior stairs, so the need is more often at the entry steps. An outdoor stair lift or platform lift is the typical answer there.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
