McCone County stretches across about 2,683 square miles of northeastern Montana, and Circle is its only town. Out here a trip to a specialist or a repair visit can take most of a day, so the equipment in your home has to be the right fit from the start.
The houses tell their own story. Circle grew up as a ranching-era town in the early 20th century, and many of its farmhouses and older town homes have stairs to an upper floor or a basement. That is where a stair lift usually earns its place.
Early-20th-century homes often have narrow, steep staircases, and some turn at a landing. A straight staircase with no turns can usually take a straight rail lift, which is the simplest and quickest to install.
If the stairs bend at a landing or curve, a curved rail is built to match that exact staircase. Basement stairs in older homes deserve a close look too, because head clearance and the space at the bottom affect which lift will work.
Single-story ranch-style homes are more common on outlying agricultural properties. Inside they may have no stairs at all, but the front or back entry steps can still be a problem. An outdoor lift or a platform lift can handle those steps, and a platform lift also works for someone who uses a wheelchair.
Split-level homes have short runs between several levels. Each run may need its own lift, so we look at which levels a person actually uses every day before recommending anything.
Every resident of McCone County lives in a rural area by Census definition, and the distances are long. That makes it worth asking about service and repair before you buy, not after.
About 24.7% of residents are 65 or older, so many households are weighing the same question: stay in the home that works, or move. A lift on the one staircase that matters can be the difference. The county also has 1,025 housing units, with a 27.1% vacancy rate that reflects many seasonal and ranch properties, so think about whether the lift goes in the home used year-round.
No single program in this area is confirmed to pay for a stair lift, so the best first call is usually the Area I Agency on Aging at Action for Eastern Montana, (406) 377-3564. They can point you toward case management and Montana Big Sky Waiver intake.
Veterans should know that the VA HISA grant does not cover stair glides. The larger VA SAH and SHA grants can be used to remodel a home for accessibility, but the source does not name stair lifts, so ask the VA directly at (800) 827-1000 or the Montana Veterans Affairs Division Great Falls Service Office at (406) 452-2265.
Statewide options worth asking about include the Montana Assistive Technology Loan (MATL), the Reverse Annuity Mortgage (RAM), Community First Choice Services (CFCS), and the Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) & Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit.
Montana's main Medicaid home and community-based waiver, which includes Environmental Adaptations, though the source does not mention stair lifts by name and there is a waiting list. Call (406) 444-4077; McCone County residents apply for Medicaid financial eligibility through the county Office of Public Assistance.
The local entry point for information, referrals and care management for residents age 60 and up or their caregivers; the source does not mention stair lift or home modification funding. Call (406) 377-3564 at the Glendive office.
A VA grant for medically necessary home changes, up to $6,800 for a service-connected disability or $2,000 for other non-service-connected disabilities. It does not cover stair glides or porch lifts, though it can cover items like permanent ramps and entrance access.
Grants for homeowning veterans with qualifying severe service-connected disabilities, up to $126,526 for SAH and $25,350 for SHA, to build, buy or remodel a home for accessibility; the source does not mention stair lifts. Call (800) 827-1000.
A Great Falls based Center for Independent Living offering advocacy, information and independent living services to people with disabilities in north-central and northeastern Montana. The source does not mention stair lifts or home modification funding.
Older adults
2030 N. Merrill Ave., Glendive, 59330
Veterans
104 2nd St S, Ste 200, Great Falls, 59401
The Montana Big Sky Waiver covers Environmental Adaptations, but the source does not name stair lifts and the program has a waiting list. You must be financially eligible for Medicaid and need a nursing-facility level of care. Call (406) 444-4077 to ask.
No. The VA states that HISA excludes stair glides, porch lifts and portable ramps. Ask about the SAH or SHA grants instead at (800) 827-1000, or call the Montana Veterans Affairs Division Great Falls Service Office at (406) 452-2265.
Start with Area I - Action for Eastern Montana at (406) 377-3564, located at 2030 N. Merrill Ave., Glendive. They serve residents age 60 and up and can connect you with case management and Big Sky Waiver intake.
Yes, in most cases. A staircase that turns needs a curved rail made to fit it, while a straight run can use a straight rail. An in-home measurement tells you which one your stairs need.
An outdoor stair lift or a platform lift can handle entry steps. A platform lift is the choice when the person uses a wheelchair.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
