Gladwin County is rural from end to end. The 2020 Census counted 100.0% of its residents as living in rural areas, spread across 502 square miles of land, with the towns of Gladwin and Beaverton as its two population centers. Much of the county drains toward the Tittabawassee River, and the housing reflects that lake-and-river country: lumbering-era farmhouses, seasonal cabins, mobile homes, ranch-style houses and split-levels.
Those homes were not built with aging in place in mind. Older multi-story farmhouses have full staircases, split-levels put a short flight between every living area, and cabins and mobile homes often sit up on entry steps. This page walks through what each of those means for a stair lift and lists the local and federal programs that may help with the cost.
Census figures for the county show 16,862 housing units in 2020, and 34.7% of them were vacant. That high share points to a large number of seasonal and lake cabins, alongside older farmhouses that date back to the late-1800s and early-1900s settlement period.
Among occupied homes, 84.0% were owner-occupied. Long-term owners in older multi-story houses are exactly the people most likely to face a staircase they can no longer climb safely, and 22.2% of residents are 65 or older.
A straight stair lift is the simplest fit. It runs on a rail along one straight flight, which is common in older two-story farmhouses and many single-family homes. It is also the most practical option when the goal is reaching a bedroom or bathroom on the second floor.
Curved lifts are built for staircases that turn, have a landing or wrap around a corner. Split-level homes can be tricky because they have several short flights instead of one long one. We measure each flight to see whether one lift, more than one lift, or a different layout makes the most sense.
Ranch-style homes usually have one living level, but the basement stairs or the steps up to the front door can still be a barrier. In those cases the lift goes where the trouble actually is, not necessarily inside the main living area.
Mobile homes and seasonal cabins often have the hardest stairs on the outside. An outdoor stair lift is built to handle rain, snow and cold, and runs along exterior steps up to a porch or deck.
For someone who uses a wheelchair, a platform lift can be a better answer than a seat. The person stays in the chair and rides the platform up to the door. We look at the step height, the ground and the available space before recommending one or the other.
Cost matters here. The county's median household income is $55,349, and its 14.9% poverty rate is above the U.S. average of 12.5%. Many owners are on fixed incomes, so it is worth checking every program below before paying out of pocket.
Be aware that none of the sources we checked name stair lifts as a covered item, and the VA's HISA benefit specifically excludes stair glides. Some programs do cover related home changes such as ramps or grab bars. A good first call is Region 7 Area Agency on Aging at (800) 858-1637, which handles the MI Choice waiver and care coordination.
They can start with the Gladwin County Office of Veterans Affairs at (989) 426-4891 to sort through which VA benefits apply. Statewide, it may also be worth asking about the MSHDA Property Improvement Program (PIP).
A Medicaid program for Michigan residents 65 and older, or disabled adults 18 and older, who need a nursing-facility level of care but can be served safely at home. Stair lifts are not listed by name in the sources checked; call Region 7 at (800) 858-1637 to ask about an assessment.
A care coordination and referral hub for older adults, primarily 60 and older, and adults with disabilities, with an office at 1601 South Euclid Avenue in Bay City. It is not a direct equipment fund and stair lifts are not listed; call (800) 858-1637.
Serves Gladwin County residents 60 and older with home delivered meals, dining centers and a senior produce program from its office at 215 S. Antler Street in Gladwin. No home modification or stair lift help is listed; call (989) 426-5450.
Offers very-low-income rural homeowners loans up to $40,000 at 1% over 20 years, plus grants up to $10,000 for owners 62 and older; covered repairs include ramps, grab bars and walk-in tubs, but stair lifts are not named. Call (517) 324-5100.
Pays up to $6,800 lifetime for veterans with a service-connected disability, or $2,000 for other qualifying disabilities, for medically necessary accessibility changes. Stair glides and porch lifts are explicitly excluded.
Grants for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities, up to $126,526 for SAH and $25,350 for SHA in FY2026, to buy or change a home to meet their needs. The VA describes ramps and wider doorways but does not name stair lifts.
A local benefits advocacy and referral office for veterans and their families, not a funding source; bring a DD-214, military and medical records and photo ID. Stair lifts are not listed; call (989) 426-4891.
Serves people with disabilities of any age in a 12-county region that includes Gladwin, offering advocacy, accessibility reviews, case management and in-home support. No stair lift fund is listed; call (989) 835-4041.
Older adults
708 Root Street, Flint, 48503
Veterans
555 West Cedar Avenue, Suite B, Gladwin, 48624
The VA's HISA benefit explicitly excludes stair glides. The VA SAH and SHA grants, MI Choice and USDA 504 do not name stair lifts in the sources we checked, so ask each program directly before you count on it.
The USDA Section 504 program offers grants up to $10,000 for very-low-income homeowners 62 and older who cannot repay a loan, and Gladwin County is a rural area under the program. Stair lifts are not named among covered repairs, so call (517) 324-5100 to ask.
Region 7 Area Agency on Aging at (800) 858-1637 handles care coordination and the MI Choice waiver. The Council on Aging, Gladwin County at (989) 426-5450 serves residents 60 and older with meals and related services.
Often, yes, but split-levels have several short flights, so the answer depends on which levels you need to reach. Straight or curved lifts can be used on each flight, and we measure before recommending anything.
Outdoor stair lifts are made for exterior steps and weather. If the person uses a wheelchair, a platform lift that carries the chair may be the better choice.
The Gladwin County Office of Veterans Affairs at (989) 426-4891 helps veterans and their families with VA benefits. Bring your DD-214, military and medical records and a photo ID.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
