Fisher County covers 897 square miles of grassy, rolling prairie in the Rolling Plains, about 65 miles northwest of Abilene. Most homes sit in two small towns: Roby, the county seat, and Rotan, the largest town. The houses there tend to be older single-family and ranch-style homes in established town centers, not newer subdivisions.
That matters when someone starts having trouble with steps. A lot of Fisher County homeowners have lived in the same house for decades, and the stairs at the porch, the back door or up to a second level were never built with aging in mind. This page walks through what kind of lift fits these homes and where to look for help with the cost.
Roughly 75.8% of residents own their homes, so most families can make changes to the house without asking a landlord.
The county's population has been falling since its 1930 peak of 13,563. What remains is a longer-tenured group of homeowners who often want to stay put rather than move to a town with more services.
Many homes in the county are single-story or modest multi-level houses built in an older era. In a single-story ranch-style home, the problem is usually the steps at the front or back entry, not an indoor staircase. An outdoor stair lift built for weather, or a platform lift for someone using a wheelchair, is often the better fit there.
Where a house does have an indoor staircase, older homes usually have a straight run, which suits a straight stair lift. A curved lift is needed when the stairs turn or have a landing partway up. In duplexes, check who owns which stairs before planning anything, since shared steps may need both owners on board.
Fisher County is rural with low population density, so residents usually rely on contractors who travel in from the Abilene area rather than local specialists. Plan for that when scheduling a measurement visit and any later service.
It helps to have the measurements, photos of the steps and a list of who will use the lift ready before the first call. That keeps the trip productive and makes it easier to get the right equipment ordered the first time.
Homes here are lower cost, with a median property value of $78,600. For a senior on a fixed income, a stair lift can be a real share of what the house is worth, so it is worth checking every program before paying out of pocket.
None of the programs below names stair lifts as a guaranteed benefit, and the VA HISA grant specifically excludes stair glides. The best starting points are the Area Agency on Aging of West Central Texas for people 60 and older, and STAR+PLUS for those who qualify for Medicaid long-term care. The West Central Texas AAA office is at 1025 EN 10th St., Abilene, (325) 672-8544.
Other statewide programs to ask about include the Amy Young Barrier Removal Program (AYBR) and the Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Waiver. Veterans can also reach Workforce Solutions of Concho Valley in San Angelo at (325) 659-6560.
A Texas Medicaid waiver for adults 21 and older with a disability or anyone 65 and older who needs nursing facility level of care; it covers home modifications such as grab bars and ramps, but stair lifts are not named, so coverage depends on the individual service plan. There is a long waiting list; call (877) 438-5658.
An in-kind repair service for people 60 and older in the region, including Fisher County, covering repairs or modifications essential to health and safety; stair lifts are not listed, so ask intake staff case by case. Call (325) 793-8417.
A lifetime VA grant of up to $6,800 for service-connected disabilities or $2,000 for other eligible disabilities, for medically necessary alterations prescribed by a VA provider. It does not cover stair lifts; stair glides and porch lifts are excluded as removable equipment.
VA grants for veterans with specific severe service-connected disabilities, up to $126,526 for SAH and $25,350 for SHA in FY2026, used for permanent home adaptations. Stair lifts are not listed by name, so coverage is not confirmed.
A statewide nonprofit that builds wheelchair ramps with volunteers; it does not mention stair lifts, and Fisher County is not confirmed as a served area. Call (214) 558-0339 to ask about the ramp part of a home access project.
Older adults
1025 EN 10th St., Abilene, 79601
Veterans
202 Henry O Flipper St, San Angelo, 76903
The Area Agency on Aging repair service starts at age 60. STAR+PLUS accepts Texas residents 21 and older with a disability if they need nursing facility level of care and meet income and asset limits.
No. The VA lists stair glides and porch lifts as excluded removable equipment under HISA. Veterans with severe service-connected disabilities can ask whether an SAH or SHA plan could include one, but that is not confirmed.
Its home modifications benefit names grab bars and ramps, not stair lifts. Any stair lift would depend on the member's service plan and managed care approval, and the waiting list has been reported as multi-year. Call (877) 438-5658.
The West Central Texas AAA is at 1025 EN 10th St., Abilene, phone (325) 672-8544. The Fisher County Senior Citizens site can be reached at 325-735-2359.
Yes, but most come from the Abilene area, about 65 miles southeast. Expect to schedule the measurement visit ahead of time.
Often the issue in a single-story ranch-style home is the entry steps. An outdoor stair lift or a platform lift may fit better than an indoor unit, and a ramp is another option.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
