Washington holds four National Register historic districts, and Wilkes County counts 30 NRHP-listed properties in all. Many of the houses around the county seat are Greek Revival mansions, Victorian-era homes and other older multi-story buildings where the bedrooms and baths sit upstairs. Out toward Tignall and across the rest of the county, you also find ranch-style, split-level and single-family homes.
We install stair lifts in both towns, Washington and Tignall, and in the rural homes in between. This page walks through how local houses tend to shape the choice of lift, and which Georgia and regional programs are worth a call before you pay out of pocket.
The historic districts in Washington, including the East Robert Toombs Historic District, West Robert Toombs District and North Washington District, are full of 19th-century houses built with the main bedrooms on the second floor. When the stairs get hard, that upstairs bedroom and bath become the problem.
A long, straight staircase can usually take a straight stair lift, which is the simplest install. Older homes often have a landing, a turn or a winding section, and those call for a curved lift built to the shape of your stairs. We measure the staircase in person before recommending either one.
A ranch-style home may have everything on one floor and still have steps at the front or back door. An outdoor stair lift, built to handle weather, can cover those porch or entry steps.
Split-level homes have short flights between levels, and each flight may need its own lift or a curved rail that follows the turns. In low-rise buildings and walk-up apartments, the building owner usually has to approve any install, so ask about that early. Where a wheelchair user cannot transfer to a seat, a platform lift may be the better fit.
Wilkes County covers 474 square miles of Georgia Piedmont, and per the 2020 Census every resident lives in a rural area. That means family members are often a drive away, and staying safely in the house matters more.
Homeowners can usually install a lift on their own decision, and veterans have a local office to ask about benefits.
Money is a real concern here. The county's median household income is $52,043 (2024) and the poverty rate is 17.8%, so it makes sense to check every program before paying the full cost yourself.
Two programs list home modifications: the Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP) for adults 21 to 64, and Walton Options for Independent Living for people with disabilities in its 16-county area, which includes Wilkes. Neither names stair lifts specifically, so ask whether a lift can be approved for your situation. The CSRA Area Agency on Aging can point adults 60 and older toward other help.
Georgia also has statewide programs you can ask about by name, including the Home Access Program, the Credit-Able Loan Program and VA Benefits for Veterans (HISA + Prosthetics). Veterans can start with the Georgia Department of Veterans Service at the Edward B. Pope Community Center, 48 Lexington Ave. in Washington, (706) 678-2821.
A Georgia Medicaid waiver for adults 21 to 64 with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury who meet a nursing-facility or hospital level of care; its services include home modifications, though stair lifts are not named, so confirm with a care coordinator. Call (800) 982-0411 about applying.
Georgia Medicaid waivers for frail elderly and disabled people who meet nursing-facility level of care, covering services like case management, personal care, adult daycare and home-delivered meals. The source does not list home modifications or stair lifts; reach it through the regional ADRC at (706) 210-2000.
The regional information and referral point for adults 60 and older and their caregivers in the 13-county CSRA area, including Wilkes. It does not list a stair lift or home modification benefit, but it can steer you to waivers and services; call (706) 210-2000.
A Center for Independent Living program that funds home modifications such as ramps, handrails and door widening case by case for people with disabilities in its 16-county area, which includes Wilkes; stair lifts are not itemized, so ask directly. Call (706) 724-6262 or use the self-referral form.
VA grants for veterans with qualifying severe service-connected disabilities who own or will own the home, up to $126,526 for SAH and $25,350 for SHA (FY2026). The VA describes covered work as ramps and wider doorways, and stair lifts are not listed.
Older adults
3626 Walton Way Extension, Suite 300, Augusta, 30909
Veterans
Edward B. Pope Community Center 48 Lexington Ave., Washington, 30673-1422
Usually, yes. Staircases with landings or turns, common in the older multi-story homes around Washington, generally need a curved stair lift built to fit. We measure the stairs at the house before quoting.
The Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP) serves adults ages 21 to 64 with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury and lists home modifications. Walton Options for Independent Living also serves people with disabilities in Wilkes County. Call (800) 982-0411 for ICWP or (706) 724-6262 for Walton Options.
The source page for these waivers does not list home modifications or stair lifts. They cover services such as personal care, adult daycare, respite and home-delivered meals. You can ask the ADRC at (706) 210-2000 what fits your situation.
The Georgia Department of Veterans Service has an office at the Edward B. Pope Community Center, 48 Lexington Ave. in Washington, phone (706) 678-2821. Ask about VA Benefits for Veterans (HISA + Prosthetics) and whether the SAH or SHA grants apply.
Wilkes County is served by the Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission AAA in Augusta. You can reach it at (706) 210-2018, or the ADRC line at (706) 210-2000.
Yes. An outdoor stair lift is made for exterior steps like porches and entries. If the person uses a wheelchair and cannot move to a seat, a platform lift may suit better.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
