Lyon County stretches across 2,024 square miles southeast of Reno, from the mountains of the Toiyabe National Forest down to the farmland of Smith Valley and Mason Valley. Its six towns, Fernley, Dayton, Silver Springs, Yerington, Stagecoach and Smith Valley, sit far apart, and about 44.6% of residents lived in rural areas as of the 2020 Census.
That spread shapes how stair access works here. Many homes are single-story manufactured or ranch-style houses, so the hard part is often the porch steps or a raised foundation, not an indoor staircase. This page walks through what that means for choosing a lift and lists the programs that may help pay for one.
A Medicaid waiver for Nevada residents of any age with a documented physical disability who meet nursing facility level of care and financial rules. It covers Environmental Accessibility Adaptations, but stair lifts are not named, so coverage depends on the individual Plan of Care; call (775) 687-4210.
A state-funded assistive technology and home modification program for Nevadans with a permanent disability, used when no other funding source is available, with some clients cost-sharing on a sliding scale. It describes home access modifications in general terms and does not mention stair lifts, so confirm with CARE Chest at (775) 829-2273.
A home rehabilitation program structured as a 3-year forgivable lien for homeowners in its service area, which includes Lyon County. It addresses handicap accessibility needs such as wheelchair ramps but does not name stair lifts, so ask RNDC staff at (866) 404-5204.
Loans up to $40,000 at 1% fixed interest and grants up to $10,000 for very-low-income homeowners in USDA-eligible rural areas, with grants limited to those 62+ who cannot repay a loan. Accessibility work like a wheelchair ramp is an example, but stair lifts are not named; call (775) 887-1222.
A lifetime grant of up to $6,800 or $2,000, depending on disability rating, for medically necessary fixed alterations such as permanent ramping. The VA explicitly excludes stair glides and porch lifts, so this grant does not cover a stair lift; call (800) 827-1000.
Grants for veterans with specific severe service-connected disabilities to buy, build or adapt a home, up to $126,526 for SAH and $25,350 for SHA (FY2026). Stair lifts are not named in the program description; call (800) 827-1000 to ask about an adaptation plan.
Free service-navigation counseling and referral for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers living in Lyon County. It is not a cash grant and does not run a stair lift fund, but it can point you to programs that might; call (775) 577-5009, ext. 3304 for Senior Services.
Older adults
3416 Goni Rd., Suite D-132, Carson City, 89706
Veterans
106 E. Adams Street, Suite 203, Carson City, 89706
Not through the HISA grant, which explicitly excludes stair glides and porch lifts. The SAH and SHA grants fund home adaptation for veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities, but stair lifts are not named, so ask the VA at (800) 827-1000 or VAST Carson City at (775) 710-3329.
Yes, possibly. The USDA grant requires age 62+, but the USDA loan, the Medicaid WPD waiver (any age), the AT/IL program and the RNDC program do not list that age limit. Each has its own disability, income or ownership rules.
Maybe not an indoor one. Many Lyon County homes have the problem at the porch steps or a raised foundation, so an outdoor stair lift, a platform lift or a ramp may be the better fit. A home visit sorts that out.
Distance is a real factor here, since many seniors live a long drive from Reno-based installers. Ask about travel when you book, and try to schedule the assessment and any follow-up together.
Lyon County Human Services runs a Nevada Care Connection Resource Center with free counseling at (775) 577-5009, ext. 3304. Rural Nevada Aging Services in Carson City is another contact at (775) 687-4210.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
