Milledgeville was Georgia's state capital from 1804 to 1868, and it was laid out as one of only three planned capital cities in the United States. Landmarks like the Old Governor's Mansion still stand, and so do many of the two-story homes, plantation-era houses and early-20th-century residences built around that historic core. Their original stairs were never designed with aging residents in mind.
Out toward Hardwick and the rest of the county, the housing mix shifts to single-family homes, ranch-style homes, split-level homes, townhouses and walk-up apartments. This page walks through how those homes and the county's hilly-to-flat terrain affect which stair lift makes sense, and which local and state programs are worth a phone call before you pay.
Much of the housing in and around Milledgeville's historic core predates modern accessibility codes. A stair lift is often the way to keep an upper floor usable without tearing into a full renovation.
A straight staircase in one run usually takes a straight rail, which is the simplest install. Older houses sometimes have landings, turns or narrow treads, and those call for a curved rail built to the shape of that particular staircase. We measure every staircase in person before recommending either one.
Split-level homes tend to have short flights between levels, so the question is which flight the person uses most, such as the one to the bedroom or the one to the laundry. Townhouses often stack living space over two or three floors, which can mean more than one lift or a longer curved rail.
Ranch-style homes keep daily life on one floor, but many still have steps at the front or back door. In those cases an outdoor stair lift or a platform lift at the entry may help more than anything inside.
Baldwin County covers 267 square miles along Georgia's fall line, where the hilly Piedmont to the north meets the northern edge of the Atlantic coastal plain to the south. The Oconee River runs through the county, and Lake Sinclair marks a major water boundary.
Hillier lots in and around Milledgeville often have steep steps up from the street or down to a lower level, which is where outdoor lifts come in. Flatter land to the south may make an exterior ramp the more practical answer. Because this can change block by block, we look at the lot as well as the stairs.
Baldwin County has a population of 20,099, and 12.6% of residents are 65 or older.
Only 41.7% of residents own their homes. If you rent, check program rules closely: the VA Specially Adapted Housing grant, for example, requires that the veteran own or plan to own the home.
Median household income in the county is $54,403, below state and national averages, so many families look for help before paying out of pocket. None of the programs below names stair lifts as a covered item in its official materials, and the VA HISA grant specifically excludes stair glides. That does not always rule out help, but it means you should ask directly.
The best first call for most older adults is the Aging & Disability Resource Connection at (866) 552-4464, which screens callers and points them to programs that currently have funding. Homeowners in unincorporated areas with lower incomes should also ask the county CHIP office, and veterans can start with the GWVH‑Milledgeville Veterans Field Service Office at (478) 445-6900. Other statewide names worth asking about include the Home Access Program and the Credit-Able Loan Program.
The regional gateway for adults 60+ and adults with disabilities in the 11-county Middle Georgia area, including Baldwin County; it screens callers and refers them to waiver, home-repair or in-home programs with open funding. Stair lifts are not mentioned in its materials. Call (866) 552-4464.
A Medicaid waiver for Georgians 65+ or disabled who meet nursing-facility level of care and want care at home; covered services include case management, personal care, adult day care and home-delivered meals, and home modifications or stair lifts are not listed. Apply through the ADRC at (866) 552-4464.
A Medicaid waiver for eligible Georgians 65+ or younger with a qualifying disability who meet nursing-facility level of care; its listed services do not include home modifications or stair lifts. Call (866) 552-4464.
A Medicaid waiver for adults ages 21-64 with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury, and it does list home modifications among its services, though stair lifts are not named. Call (800) 982-0411 to ask whether a stair lift qualifies.
A housing rehabilitation grant for homeowners in designated unincorporated census tracts with income under 50% of area median income, with priority for residents over 60 and residents with disabilities; stair lifts are not specifically listed. Call (478) 445-4791 to confirm what repairs are covered.
A lifetime VA benefit of up to $6,800 or $2,000, depending on disability status, for medically necessary home modifications. It does not cover stair lifts, since the VA excludes stair glides and porch lifts.
Up to $126,526 for a permanent home, or up to $50,961 through Temporary Residence Adaptation, for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities who own or plan to own the home. Stair lifts are not named as covered or excluded; ask the VA.
Up to $25,350 for a permanent home, or up to $9,100 through Temporary Residence Adaptation, for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities; the home may be owned by the veteran or a family member. Stair lifts are not named in the program description.
A Macon-based nonprofit run by and for people with disabilities, serving central Georgia and offering an emergency DME equipment resource; stair lifts are not listed. Call (478) 741-1425 to confirm whether Baldwin County is in its current service area.
Older adults
3661 Eisenhower Pkwy, Ste. MB102, Macon, 31206
Veterans
2249 Vinson Highway, Milledgeville, 31061
Often, yes. Many homes around the historic core have original stairs that were never built for aging residents, and a stair lift is a common way to keep them usable without a full renovation. Turns or landings mean a curved rail, so we measure in person first.
The CCSP and SOURCE waivers do not list home modifications or stair lifts. The Independent Care Waiver Program, for adults 21-64, does list home modifications but does not name stair lifts, so call (800) 982-0411 to ask.
Yes, possibly. The ADRC serves adults with disabilities as well as people 60+, the ICWP covers ages 21-64, and Disability Connections serves people with disabilities of any age at (478) 741-1425.
The HISA grant does not, because the VA excludes stair glides. The SAH and SHA grants do not name stair lifts either way, so veterans should ask the GWVH‑Milledgeville Veterans Field Service Office at (478) 445-6900.
The Baldwin County CHIP program helps homeowners in designated unincorporated census tracts with income under 50% of area median income, giving priority to residents over 60 and residents with disabilities. Call (478) 445-4791 to check your address and whether a stair lift fits the program.
Hilly lots around Milledgeville often need an outdoor stair lift or a platform lift at the entry. On flatter land a ramp may work better, which is why we look at the whole lot before suggesting anything.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
