Downtown Ketchikan climbs straight up from the waterfront, and many homes in Ketchikan and Saxman sit on sloped lots reached by steep roads. That means stairs are often part of getting to the front door, not just getting to the bedroom.
This page walks through how local homes and weather shape the choice of stair lift, and where people in the borough can look for help paying for one. If you are weighing a lift for yourself or a parent, start here and then call us to look at the actual stairs.
Ketchikan sits on Revillagigedo Island, with Deer Mountain rising to 3,001 feet just east of downtown. Because of the slope, the built-up area hugs the waterfront and many houses are set into hillsides.
Homes here include single-family homes, detached houses, townhouses, walk-up apartments and split-level homes. A split-level home often has several short runs of stairs instead of one long one, so we measure each run before suggesting a lift.
A single straight flight usually takes a straight stair lift, which is the simplest to fit. Stairs that turn at a landing or wrap around a corner need a curved lift built to that staircase.
The area averages 149.54 inches of rain a year, and the record was 202.55 inches in 1949. Exterior steps from the road or driveway up to a house are wet much of the time.
For those steps, an outdoor stair lift built to handle weather is the usual answer. Where someone uses a wheelchair, a platform lift can carry the chair itself up a slope or a set of steps.
We look at the footing, the rail path and where the lift will park when not in use, since a wet hillside entry is a different job than an indoor flight.
Roughly 58.9% of households own their home.
Owning matters because a stair lift attaches to the stairs, and some funding programs, like the VA Specially Adapted Housing grant, require that the veteran owns or will own the home. Renters in walk-up apartments should talk with the landlord before planning a lift.
The closest local starting point is SAIL (Southeast Alaska Independent Living), which has a staffed office in Ketchikan at 4693 N Tongass Highway. Its home accessibility service is a home-modification category, but ask SAIL staff whether a stair lift is fundable under its current funding sources.
Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities can look at the VA Specially Adapted Housing grant, up to $126,526 (FY2026), or the Special Home Adaptation grant, up to $25,350 (FY2026). The VA page does not name stair lifts, so confirm with the VA at (800) 827-1000.
Statewide, the Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver, the AHFC Senior Access Program (SAP) and the Alaska Senior Benefits Program are also worth asking about. The Alaska Commission on Aging / Senior & Disabilities Services can be reached at (907) 465-3250.
A Center for Independent Living home-accessibility modification service for people of all ages with disabilities, and stair lifts are listed as covered, though amounts are set case by case. Call (888) 452-7245 to confirm a stair lift fits current funding.
An information, referral and Medicaid HCBS waiver intake point for Ketchikan-area seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers; stair lifts are not listed, but it is the local starting point toward state home-modification benefits. Call (888) 452-7245.
A VA grant of up to $126,526 (FY2026) for veterans with specific severe service-connected disabilities who own or will own the home; stair lifts are not listed by name. Call the VA at (800) 827-1000.
A VA grant of up to $25,350 (FY2026) to adapt a home owned by the veteran or a family member, for qualifying service-connected disabilities; stair lifts are not listed by name. Call (800) 827-1000.
A statewide information and referral service on accessible senior housing and supportive services; stair lifts are not listed. Call (907) 338-6100.
Older adults
550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1600, Anchorage, 99501
Veterans
1201 N Muldoon Rd, Anchorage, 99504
Yes, an outdoor stair lift is made for exterior steps. With an average of 149.54 inches of rain a year, we plan the installation around constant wet weather.
Each run is measured separately. Straight runs can take straight lifts, and stairs that turn need a curved lift.
SAIL has a Ketchikan office and a home accessibility modification service. Call (888) 452-7245 or email [email protected] and ask whether a stair lift is fundable right now.
SAIL's home accessibility service is open to people of all ages with disabilities in its Southeast Alaska service area, which includes Ketchikan.
Ask about the Specially Adapted Housing grant, up to $126,526 (FY2026), and the Special Home Adaptation grant, up to $25,350 (FY2026). Neither names stair lifts, so call (800) 827-1000 to check.
The Alaska Commission on Aging / Senior & Disabilities Services in Anchorage, at (907) 465-3250, can point you to statewide programs such as the Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
