Anderson, the county seat, keeps eight designated historic districts, including the Anderson College, Anderson Downtown, and North Anderson historic districts. Some of the homes there date to the 19th century, like the circa-1851 Caldwell-Johnson-Morris Cottage. In older farmhouses and cottages like these, the only way to a second floor or a raised front entry is often a staircase.
Out past the city, the picture changes. Anderson County spans 755.76 square miles of the Piedmont, from Powdersville and Piedmont in the north to Honea Path, Iva, and Starr in the south, with Lake Hartwell along much of the western edge. This page walks through how those homes and that terrain affect the kind of stair lift that fits, and where local families can look for help paying for one.
The housing here runs from single-family homes and ranch-style homes to townhouses, split-level homes, and walk-up apartments. Each one asks a different question. A ranch-style home may have no inside stairs at all but still have steps up to the porch, while a townhouse usually has one straight flight between floors.
Straight stairs are the simplest case, and a straight rail is usually the fastest to fit. Older multi-story farmhouses and cottages in historic neighborhoods are more likely to have turns, landings, or narrow winding stairs, which call for a curved rail built to the staircase.
Split-level homes are worth a closer look. They often have short flights in more than one spot, so we measure each set of steps before suggesting anything. In a walk-up apartment, the building owner usually has a say in what can be attached to shared stairs, so ask before planning an install.
Lake Hartwell has nearly 1,000 miles of shoreline used for residential and recreational development. Homes on sloped lake lots often have exterior steps down to a lower level or toward the water, and those runs need an outdoor-rated lift or, for a wheelchair user, a platform lift.
The 2020 census found 41.7% of county residents living in rural areas. If your parent lives on a rural lot well outside the city of Anderson, plan a little extra lead time for measuring, installation, and any follow-up service visit.
About 17.3% of the county's 86,003 residents are 65 or older, and 62.8% of households own their homes. Owning the home matters, because you can decide to mount a rail on the stairs without waiting on a landlord.
If the person who needs the lift served, it is worth checking veteran benefits before paying out of pocket, though the rules on stair lifts vary by grant, as the program list below explains.
Money is a real concern here. The county's median household income is $42,871 and the overall poverty rate is 15.8%, so many older homeowners on fixed incomes look to public and nonprofit help first.
Be aware that none of the programs below name stair lifts as a covered item, and the VA HISA grant explicitly excludes stair glides. Several do cover home modifications in general, which is why a phone call is the right first step. The Appalachian Area Agency on Aging at (864) 242-9733 can point you to current options, and Anderson County Veterans Affairs at (864) 260-4036 can help veterans sort out which VA grant applies.
A statewide Medicaid waiver run by SCDHHS for Healthy Connections members age 18 and older who meet a nursing-facility level of care and choose to get services at home. It covers general home accessibility changes, but our sources do not name stair lifts specifically.
The regional aging office for Anderson and five neighboring counties, offering information and referral, caregiver support, insurance counseling, and nutrition programs; stair lifts are not listed as a benefit. Call (864) 242-9733 or 1.800.434.4036.
AIM coordinates church and civic volunteer groups to make minor home repairs or modifications for Anderson County residents in need; stair lifts are not named. Call (864) 226-2273 or visit 1202 S. Murray Ave., Anderson, SC 29624.
A federal grant of up to $126,526 (FY2026), usable up to 6 times, for veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities to buy, build, or modify a home. Stair lifts are not named; ask Anderson County Veterans Affairs at (864) 260-4036.
A federal grant of up to $25,350 (FY2026), usable up to 6 times, for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities such as loss of use of both hands. The source does not mention stair lifts.
For SAH- or SHA-eligible veterans living temporarily in a family member's home, offering up to $50,961 or up to $9,100 respectively to adapt that home. Stair lifts are not named on the source.
A home improvement grant with a lifetime cap of $6,800 or $2,000 depending on disability status. It does not cover stair lifts: removable equipment such as porch lifts and stair glides is excluded.
Older adults
30 Century Circle, Greenville, 29607
Veterans
2404 North Main Street, Anderson, 29621
Often, yes, but older farmhouses and cottages tend to have turns or landings that need a curved rail made for that staircase. An in-home measurement tells you which type fits.
Exterior steps on lake lots need an outdoor-rated stair lift, or a platform lift if the person uses a wheelchair. Sloped lots are common along the shoreline, so we look at the full run of steps first.
The HISA grant explicitly excludes stair glides. The SAH, SHA, and TRA grants fund home modifications but do not name stair lifts, so call Anderson County Veterans Affairs at (864) 260-4036 at 2404 North Main Street to ask about your case.
The Community Choices Waiver covers general home accessibility changes for eligible members age 18 and older, but our sources do not name stair lifts. Ask your waiver case manager or the Appalachian AAA at (864) 242-9733.
Anderson Interfaith Ministries coordinates volunteers for minor home repairs and modifications. Call (864) 226-2273 to ask whether your project qualifies.
Yes. About 41.7% of county residents live in rural areas, and we serve towns across the county, from Pendleton to Honea Path. Rural jobs may just need a bit more scheduling time.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
