Decatur holds what is described as the largest Victorian-era home district in Alabama, and many of those late-19th-century houses still climb two or more stories on their original staircases. Out past the county seat, Hartselle, Priceville, Trinity, Falkville, Eva and Somerville add everything from split-level homes to townhouses and walk-up apartments.
That range matters when you are deciding on a stair lift. A narrow, turning staircase in an old Decatur house calls for a different lift than a short, straight run in a newer suburban home. This page walks through what Morgan County homes tend to need and where local families can look for help paying for it.
New Decatur, originally called Albany, merged with Old Decatur in 1925, and the two sides of the city grew in different directions. Eastern parts of Decatur tend to feel more suburban and traditional, while western parts look more metropolitan and contemporary.
In the older historic homes, staircases are often steep, narrow or turn at a landing. Those usually need a curved stair lift with a rail built to fit that exact staircase. Newer single-level suburban houses may not need a lift at all, or only one for a few steps into a garage or basement.
Morgan County covers about 579 square miles along the Tennessee River. In Decatur, which sits at 594 feet, a northern hill drops steeply to the shoreline near Rhodes Ferry Park, while the land south of the 14th St./6th Ave. intersection stays flat.
Homes built on sloped lots near the river, Wheeler Lake, Flint Creek or Dry Branch often have multiple levels and exterior steps up to the front door. For those, an outdoor stair lift built for the weather, or a platform lift for someone who uses a wheelchair, can be the better fit than an indoor unit alone.
Split-level homes are common in the county, and they usually have two or three short flights instead of one long one. Each short flight is often straight, so a straight stair lift on each run can work, though a single curved rail is sometimes simpler.
Townhouses tend to have one straight flight between floors, which is the most straightforward install. In a walk-up apartment, the building owner usually has to approve any lift in a shared stairwell, so ask before planning anything.
About 18.2% of county residents are 65 or older, and 68.4% are homeowners. Owning the home makes a stair lift easier to approve and install, and it is also a requirement for some repair grants.
The Morgan County Veterans Service Office at the Morgan County Courthouse, 302 Lee Street NE, 1st Floor, in Decatur can be reached at (256) 351-4636 to go over VA benefits.
Only one program below names stair lifts directly: the Alabama Medicaid HCBS Home Modification Services tied to the State of Alabama Community Waiver Program, the ID Waiver and the LAH Waiver. It requires pre-approval and a licensed contractor.
For most older adults, the first call is NARCOG at (256) 355-4515, at 216 Jackson Street SE, Suite 302, Decatur, 35601. They handle intake for the Alabama Elderly and Disabled (E&D) Medicaid HCBS Waiver, which covers home modifications as a category but does not name stair lifts.
About 38.4% of residents live in rural areas, and rural homeowners age 62 or older may qualify for USDA Section 504 help. Other statewide options to ask about include the State of Alabama Independent Living (SAIL) Waiver, the Alabama Community Transition (ACT) Waiver, the Alabama Ability Loan Program (STAR / Southern Disability Foundation) and the Alabama Senior / Disabled Homestead Exemption (H-2 / H-3).
Alabama's largest Medicaid home care waiver, for people 65 or older or younger if disabled who meet a nursing-facility level of care; it lists home modifications and assistive technology as benefits, but the source does not mention stair lifts. Apply through NARCOG or call (800) 243-5463.
For participants in these three waivers, stair lifts, transfer equipment and handrails are listed as approved home modifications when the person's condition requires them, with pre-approval and a licensed contractor. Call (334) 242-5000.
The local intake and referral point for adults 60 and older and adults with disabilities, including the E&D Waiver; its listed services do not mention stair lifts. Call (256) 355-4515.
Runs senior center activities for residents 60 and older, such as meals, exercise and day trips; the source does not mention home modifications or stair lifts. Call (256) 351-4652.
Support for family caregivers of frail adults 60 and older, including respite, training and limited supplemental services; the source does not mention home modifications or stair lifts. Call (800) 243-5463.
Repair loans up to $40,000 at 1% for 20 years, and grants up to $10,000 for rural homeowners 62 and older with income at or under 50% of Area Median Income; ramps and grab bars are listed, stair lifts are not. Call the Huntsville office at (256) 947-5203.
Pays up to $6,800 or $2,000 over a lifetime for medically necessary home changes for veterans, but it specifically excludes stair glides and porch lifts. Call (866) 487-4243.
A Huntsville-based nonprofit offering information, referral, advocacy and peer support for people with disabilities; the source does not list home modifications or stair lifts. Call (256) 403-0033.
Older adults
216 Jackson Street SE, Suite 302, Decatur, 35601
Veterans
Morgan County Courthouse, 302 Lee Street NE, 1st Floor, Decatur, 35601
Often yes, but older staircases that turn or have landings usually need a curved stair lift with a custom rail. We measure the staircase in person before recommending anything.
The Alabama Medicaid HCBS Home Modification Services for the State of Alabama Community Waiver Program, ID Waiver and LAH Waiver lists stair lifts as an approved modification, with pre-approval required. The E&D Waiver covers home modifications in general, but its source does not name stair lifts, so ask NARCOG at (256) 355-4515.
No. The HISA grant explicitly excludes stair glides and porch lifts. The Morgan County Veterans Service Office at (256) 351-4636 can talk through other VA benefits.
The E&D Waiver can cover people younger than 65 if they are disabled and meet a nursing-facility level of care. Alabama Cares also helps caregivers 55 and older caring for adults 19 to 59 with disabilities.
USDA Section 504 is limited to rural areas with a town population under 35,000, and the grant portion requires the homeowner to be 62 or older. Its listed uses include ramps and grab bars but do not mention stair lifts, so call (256) 947-5203 to ask.
An outdoor stair lift built for exterior steps is one choice, and a platform lift is another if a wheelchair is involved. Sloped lots near the river are common in Decatur, so this comes up often.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
