Muskegon County wraps around water. Of its roughly 1,460 square miles, about 961 are water, and Muskegon Lake, White Lake and Mona Lake all feed into Lake Michigan. A lot of families here have lived near that water for a long time, in homes with more than one level, and they would rather stay put than move inland.
We install stair lifts in all 12 towns in the county, from Muskegon, Norton Shores and North Muskegon on the lake to Ravenna, Twin Lake and Fruitport further in. This page walks through how local homes affect the kind of lift you need and which programs may help with the cost.
Homes near Lake Michigan, Muskegon Lake, White Lake and Mona Lake are often built on more than one level. That can mean a main staircase inside plus steps outside to a deck, a lower walkout or the yard.
An indoor straight lift handles a single run of stairs with no turns. If the staircase turns or has a landing partway up, you need a curved lift built to that staircase. Steps outside call for an outdoor model made to handle a seasonal West Michigan climate.
Housing in the county runs from single-family and detached houses to duplexes, townhouses and walk-up apartments. The City of Muskegon earned the nickname "Lumber Queen of the World" during its mid-19th-century lumber boom, and landmarks like the Hackley House date from that era.
Every staircase is different, so we measure in person before recommending anything. In a duplex or walk-up apartment, talk with the owner or other residents early, since a shared stairway changes what can go in. When a wheelchair user cannot transfer to a seat, a platform lift may be the better fit.
About 17.1% of the county's 96,801 residents are 65 or older, and 68.2% of households own their homes. Owners can usually decide on a stair lift themselves, which makes staying in place a realistic plan.
If that includes your parent, the VA benefits below are worth checking, along with the Muskegon County Department of Veterans Affairs at 1903 Marquette Avenue, Suite A101, Muskegon, 49442, phone (231) 724-7143.
The clearest path is the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver, which lists stair lifts among the home modifications it can cover. For Muskegon County, applications go through Senior Resources of West Michigan at (231) 733-3585.
Other programs cover home repairs or accessibility work without naming stair lifts, so ask directly before you count on them. Veterans should know the VA HISA benefit excludes stair glides, while the SAH and SHA grants are the VA options to ask about instead.
A Medicaid program for people 65 and older, or 18 and older with a disability, who meet a nursing-facility level of care and Medicaid financial limits; stair lifts are listed as a covered home modification. Muskegon County applications go through Senior Resources of West Michigan at (231) 733-3585.
Loans up to $20,000 and grants up to $7,500 (combined up to $27,500) for very-low-income homeowners, with grants for those 62 or older; the source covers repairs and removing health and safety hazards but does not mention stair lifts. The property must be in a USDA-eligible rural area, checked by address.
A VA benefit of up to $6,800 or $2,000 lifetime for medically necessary accessibility work, but it specifically excludes stair glides and porch lifts. Call (877) 222-8387 with questions.
Up to $126,526 to build, remodel or adapt a home for veterans with certain permanent service-connected disabilities, or up to $50,961 for a family member's home; the source does not mention stair lifts. Call (800) 827-1000.
Up to $25,350 to adapt a veteran's home, or up to $9,100 for a temporary residence, for qualifying disabilities; stair lifts are not mentioned in the source. Call (800) 827-1000.
The local aging agency for adults 60 and older in Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa Counties and the best first call for home-modification help; its listed services do not mention stair lifts. Call (231) 733-3585.
County millage funding for residents 60 and older that includes home repairs among many services, administered through Senior Resources of West Michigan; stair lifts are not mentioned. Call (231) 733-3585.
A center for independent living serving people with disabilities in Muskegon, Oceana, Newaygo, Lake and Mason Counties with advocacy, peer support and referrals; stair lifts are not mentioned. Call (231) 722-0088 to ask about home-accessibility referrals.
Older adults
1279 Cedar St. NE, Grand Rapids, 49503
Veterans
1903 Marquette Avenue, Suite A101, Muskegon, 49442
The MI Choice Medicaid Waiver lists stair lifts among the home modifications it covers, for people who qualify on age or disability, level of care and finances. In Muskegon County, start with Senior Resources of West Michigan at (231) 733-3585.
Not through HISA, which excludes stair glides. The SAH and SHA grants are the VA options to ask about, though the source does not name stair lifts. Call (800) 827-1000 or the Muskegon County Department of Veterans Affairs at (231) 724-7143.
MI Choice is open to adults 18 and older with a disability who meet its other rules. Disability Network West Michigan at (231) 722-0088 serves people with disabilities and has no age threshold stated.
Yes, outdoor stair lifts are made for exterior steps and seasonal weather. We look at the steps, the slope and how you get from the lift into the house before recommending one.
The Senior Millage funds home repairs for county residents 60 and older, but stair lifts are not named. Ask Senior Resources of West Michigan at (231) 733-3585 what is available now.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
