Georgetown County runs from the beach houses of Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and DeBordieu Colony, through the old rice-plantation riverfront, to the city of Georgetown and inland towns like Andrews and Dunbar. A lot of homes across that stretch put the main living level at the top of a full flight of stairs. Some of those stairs are on the outside of the house.
That layout was often a structural necessity, not a style choice, so it isn't easy to change later. A stair lift lets a parent keep using the whole house without a remodel. Below, we walk through how the county's different kinds of homes affect which lift fits, and where to look for help paying for one.
Along the Atlantic side, in Murrells Inlet, Litchfield, Pawleys Island and DeBordieu, older single-story cottages are being torn down and replaced by larger modern homes. Many of the new coastal houses are multi-story, and getting to the kitchen and bedroom means climbing a full flight first.
If that flight is inside and runs straight, a straight stair lift is usually the simplest and quickest install. If the main entry stairs are outside, we look at an outdoor-rated lift or, where a wheelchair is involved, a platform lift. We measure every turn and landing before recommending either.
The Georgetown Historic District and the Murrells Inlet Historic District hold a lot of two-story homes with stairs that were built long before anyone thought about lifts. Out along the riverfront, former rice-plantation houses still stand near old dikes and water gates.
Older staircases often turn, narrow or have a landing partway up. That usually means a curved stair lift, which rides a rail built to the exact shape of your stairs. The rail mounts to the treads rather than the wall in most cases, which matters when the walls and trim are original.
Housing in the county also includes single-family homes, ranch-style homes, townhouses, walk-up apartments and low-rise buildings. In Andrews, Dunbar and other inland areas, a ranch-style home may only have a few steps at the door, and a short platform lift or outdoor lift can solve that.
Townhouses often have a straight interior flight, which suits a standard straight lift. In a walk-up apartment, the stairs may be shared, so the landlord or building owner has to agree before anything is installed. Families in rural areas who drive in to the county seat for services also tend to want the entry stairs handled first.
The 2020 census counted 63,404 people in Georgetown County, with a median age of 51.9 and 29.7% of residents 65 or older. That is an older county, and a lot of those residents live in homes with stairs at the core of the floor plan.
About 78.9% of residents own their homes, so most people can make the decision to install a lift without asking a landlord.
No single program here is a sure thing for a stair lift, so it pays to make a few calls. Veterans should start with the VA grants and the local Veterans Affairs office at (843) 545-3330, 537 Lafayette Circle in Georgetown. Ask about the VA Specially Adapted Housing and Special Home Adaptation grants, and about VA Benefits for Veterans (HISA + Prosthetics).
For older adults in general, the Waccamaw AAA at 1230 Highmarket Street in Georgetown, (843) 546-8502, is a good first call. Statewide options to ask about include the SC Community Choices Waiver (Medicaid HCBS), the South Carolina Assistive Technology Loan Program and the SC Housing Trust Fund, Home Repair Program. The South Carolina Homestead Exemption (Property-Tax Relief) won't buy a lift, but lowering a property tax bill can free up room in the budget.
A federal grant of up to $126,526 for a permanent home, or up to $50,961 to adapt a temporary residence (FY2026), for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities who own or plan to own the home. The VA describes covered work as buying, building or changing a home, such as ramps or wider doorways, and does not name stair lifts, so call Veterans Affairs at (843) 545-3330 to ask.
A federal grant of up to $25,350 for a permanent home, or up to $9,100 for a temporary residence (FY2026), for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities; the home can be owned by the veteran or a family member. The VA source covers ramps and structural adaptations generally but does not mention stair lifts, so confirm with Veterans Affairs at (843) 545-3330.
The county bureau for seniors, generally 60 and older, offers home-delivered meals, group dining at six senior centers, basic housekeeping and personal care help, and in-county transportation. Its information does not mention stair lifts or home modifications, so call (843) 545-3196 to ask about any referral or minor-repair help.
A no-charge weatherization program for qualifying low-income households in Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties, covering items like insulation, air sealing and smoke and CO detectors. It will not pay for a stair lift and does not build porches, decks or ramps; call (843) 234-4140 for weatherization questions.
Older adults
1230 Highmarket Street, Georgetown, 29440
Veterans
537 Lafayette Circle, Georgetown, 29440
Often, yes. Many coastal homes on the Waccamaw Neck have exterior stairs up to the main level, and an outdoor-rated stair lift or a platform lift can be fitted to them. We measure the stairs first to see which one fits.
A turning or landing staircase usually calls for a curved stair lift, with a rail made to match your exact stairs. The rail typically mounts to the treads, which helps protect original walls.
The Georgetown County Bureau of Aging Services serves seniors generally 60 and older at (843) 545-3196, though its listed services don't include stair lifts. The Waccamaw AAA at (843) 546-8502 can point you toward other options, such as the SC Community Choices Waiver (Medicaid HCBS).
No. The WEOC Weatherization Assistance Program covers energy items like insulation and air sealing and states it will not build ramps, porches or decks, so it won't fund a lift.
The SAH and SHA grants pay for home adaptations, but the VA source does not name stair lifts specifically. Call Veterans Affairs in Georgetown at (843) 545-3330 and also ask about VA Benefits for Veterans (HISA + Prosthetics).
It depends on the building owner. Shared stairs in walk-up apartments and low-rise buildings need the landlord's approval before any lift goes in.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
