Hillsdale County sits in the southernmost tier of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, the only county in the state that borders both Indiana and Ohio. Its 11 towns run from the county seat of Hillsdale to villages like Jonesville, Litchfield, Reading, Camden and North Adams, with a lot of farmland in between.
That spread shapes the homes we see. Many are older farmhouses with steep, multi-story staircases, and many others are modest, closer-set houses in the small towns. This page walks through what those homes mean for a stair lift and where local families can look for help paying for one.
Older farmhouses in the county often have narrow, steep staircases, and some turn at a landing or wind near the top. A straight stair runs as one flight with no turns, and a straight lift is usually the simplest and least costly fit. Once a staircase turns, the lift needs a rail built to follow that exact shape, which is what a curved lift is.
In-town homes in places like Hillsdale, Jonesville and Reading tend to be smaller. Single-family and detached houses there often have a plain straight flight to a second floor or basement. We measure the width, the pitch and the space at the top and bottom before recommending anything.
Split-level homes have short flights between several levels. Sometimes one short run is the only one that matters, such as the climb to the bedrooms, and a single straight lift handles it. If two runs connect at a landing, the choice is a curved rail or two separate straight lifts.
Townhouses usually have a straight interior staircase, which suits a standard lift. In a walk-up apartment the stairs may be shared, so the building owner has to approve any installation before work starts. For someone who uses a wheelchair full time, a platform lift may be worth discussing instead of a seated lift.
The county covers about 607 square miles, and 76.7% of residents live in rural areas. A home outside Waldron, Pittsford or Allen can be a fair drive from the nearest town. That makes it worth asking how service calls and maintenance will work before you buy.
If the person needing the lift is in either group, several programs below may apply, so it pays to check them early.
Median household income in the county is $64,242 and the poverty rate is 14.4%, so cost is a real question for many families. No program listed here names stair lifts as a covered item, and the VA HISA grant specifically excludes stair glides. Some programs do fund home repairs or accessibility changes in general, so a call can still be worthwhile.
For a rural homeowner age 62 or older with very low income, the USDA Section 504 program is often the first one to check. Veterans should start with Hillsdale County Veteran's Affairs at (517) 437-3630, 33 McCollum St, Room 108, Hillsdale. For aging services, the Region IIIA AAA office in Jackson can be reached at (517) 267-9901.
Statewide programs that may also be worth asking about include the MI Choice Waiver Program, MI Coordinated Health (formerly MI Health Link) and the MSHDA Property Improvement Program (PIP).
A Michigan Medicaid waiver for residents 65 and older, or physically disabled adults 18 and older, who meet nursing-facility level of care; enrollment is capped and waitlists can apply. The source we checked does not mention stair lifts or home modifications.
The area agency on aging for county adults 60 and older, adults with disabilities and family caregivers, and a good intake point for referrals to other funding. The source does not mention stair lifts.
Serves people with disabilities and their families through a Ramps Program, a Durable Medical Equipment Loan Closet, 'Fix-dis' equipment repair and 'Access for All'; stair lifts are not mentioned. Call (517) 782-6054.
Offers repair loans up to $40,000 and, for homeowners 62 and older who cannot repay a loan, grants up to $10,000, combined up to $50,000, for very low income owners in USDA-eligible rural areas. The source names accessibility changes like a wheelchair ramp but does not name stair lifts.
A lifetime benefit of $6,800 or $2,000 for medically necessary home changes for eligible veterans, but stair glides are specifically excluded. Call Hillsdale County Veteran's Affairs at (517) 437-3630.
Grants for veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities who own or co-own their home: up to $126,526 for SAH and $25,350 for SHA in FY2026. Stair lifts are not named; call (517) 437-3630 to ask.
Older adults
200 W. Michigan Ave., Suite 102, Jackson, 49201
Veterans
33 McCollum St, Room 108, Hillsdale, 49242
Often, yes. A straight flight takes a straight lift, and a staircase that turns or winds needs a curved rail made for that stair. We measure width, pitch and landings first.
Not through HISA, which specifically excludes stair glides. The SAH and SHA grants do not name stair lifts either, so call Hillsdale County Veteran's Affairs at (517) 437-3630 to talk through your situation.
MI Choice covers physically disabled adults 18 and older who meet nursing-facility level of care, and disAbility Connections serves people with disabilities of any age at (517) 782-6054. Neither source lists stair lifts as covered.
It can. The program serves USDA-eligible rural areas, and most of the county outside the city of Hillsdale is likely eligible, subject to USDA's address-level map. Income limits and, for grants, the 62 and older rule also apply.
The Region IIIA AAA office at 200 W. Michigan Ave., Suite 102, Jackson, can be reached at (517) 267-9901. WellWise Services also serves Hillsdale County adults 60 and older and their caregivers.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
