Rich County is four towns spread across high valleys in Utah's northeastern corner: Randolph, the county seat, Garden City near Bear Lake, Laketown and Woodruff. The valley floors sit close to 6,000 feet, and most of the county is mountain country, with Bridger Peak reaching 9,255 feet.
The homes here are mostly single-family houses on rural, ranch-oriented lots, and much of that building stock predates modern accessibility standards. That means stairs are simply part of daily life in a lot of Rich County homes. This page walks through what that means for a stair lift and where to look for help paying for one.
The common house types around Randolph, Garden City, Laketown and Woodruff are detached single-family homes, ranch-style homes and split-level homes. Each one sets up the stair lift question a little differently.
A ranch-style home with a basement usually has one straight flight down. That is the simplest case for a straight stair lift, which runs on a rail fastened to the stair treads rather than the wall.
Split-level homes are trickier. They often have two or more short flights between levels, so the choice comes down to separate straight lifts on each run or one curved rail that follows the turns. We measure every flight and landing before recommending either.
Winters in Rich County are severe. Woodruff has recorded a low of -50°F, snow sticks around for long stretches, and temperature inversions can trap fog in the valleys.
For an older resident, the steps from the porch or the garage can be more dangerous than the stairs inside. An outdoor-rated stair lift is built for weather exposure, and for some entries a vertical platform lift is a better fit, especially if a wheelchair or walker is involved.
Because local medical services are limited and a fall can mean a long drive out of the county for care, cutting down risk on icy steps is worth planning for before the next winter arrives.
About 21.5% of Rich County residents are 65 or older, and 82.9% of households own their homes. Owning the house matters, because you can make permanent changes like a mounted rail without asking a landlord.
If someone in your family served, the VA grants listed below are worth checking before you pay out of pocket.
The local economy runs on ranching, agriculture and seasonal Bear Lake tourism. That narrow base limits local money for senior services, so state and federal programs carry more weight here than in larger counties.
None of the programs below name stair lifts outright on their source pages. Some do cover related work, like ADA accessibility improvements or environmental accessibility adaptations, so it is worth calling and asking directly whether a stair lift could qualify.
A good first call is the Bear River AAA (BRAG) at 170 North Main in Logan, (435) 752-7242. Statewide, the Utah Assistive Technology Foundation (UATF) Loan and VA Benefits for Veterans (HISA + Prosthetics) are also options to ask about. Veterans can reach the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs – Northern Utah Region Veteran Service Officers at (801) 662-8256.
The regional aging agency for Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties, offering services free or at minimal cost to older adults and family caregivers who qualify. Its page does not mention stair lifts or home modifications; call (435) 713-1467 to ask.
The local senior center at 21 N Main St in Randolph, part of the Bear River AAA network, serving Rich County seniors and caregivers. No stair lift or home-modification help is listed, but staff can point you to resources at (435) 793-2122.
A Bear River Association of Governments repair program for homeowners with a health or safety problem in the home, covering items such as ADA accessibility improvements, bathroom repairs and roof repairs. Stair lifts are not listed by name; call (435) 752-7242 to ask whether yours could qualify.
A statewide Medicaid waiver for people 65 or older who need nursing-facility level of care and meet Medicaid financial rules; it serves a limited number of people and may have a waitlist. It lists environmental accessibility adaptations among its services but does not say whether stair lifts are included; call (801) 538-3910.
A Medicaid waiver that helps people currently living in a nursing facility, assisted living facility or similar licensed setting move back home with supportive services based on assessed need. Its page does not mention stair lifts or home modifications; call (801) 538-6155 for details.
A federal grant of up to $126,526 for a permanent home, or up to $50,961 for a temporary residence, for veterans with qualifying severe service-connected disabilities who own or plan to own the home. It covers modifying a home, with ramps and wider doorways as examples, but does not name stair lifts.
A federal grant of up to $25,350 for a permanent home, or up to $9,100 for a temporary residence, for veterans with certain service-connected disabilities; the home can be owned by the veteran or a family member. It covers structural adaptations generally but does not name stair lifts.
Older adults
170 North Main, Logan, 84321
Veterans
3888 West 5400 South #110, Salt Lake City, 84129
Usually, yes. Split-level homes often have more than one short flight, so the fit depends on the layout. Some homes get a straight lift on each flight, and others need a single curved rail that follows the turns between levels.
With heavy, lasting snow and lows like the -50°F recorded in Woodruff, outdoor steps are a real fall risk. An outdoor-rated stair lift or a vertical platform lift can make the porch or garage entry safer, and we can look at which suits your steps.
The Utah Medicaid Aging Waiver lists environmental accessibility adaptations among its services, but its page does not say whether stair lifts are included. It is for people 65 or older who need nursing-facility level of care and meet Medicaid financial rules. Call (801) 538-3910 to ask.
Start with the Bear River AAA (BRAG) at (435) 752-7242, or the Rich County Senior Center in Randolph at (435) 793-2122. They serve local seniors and caregivers and can steer you toward programs that fit your situation.
The program covers ADA accessibility improvements and other health and safety repairs for homeowners in Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties. Stair lifts are not listed by name, so call (435) 752-7242 and ask whether your project could count.
The VA Specially Adapted Housing and Special Home Adaptation grants fund home modifications for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities, though neither names stair lifts directly. The Northern Utah Region Veteran Service Officers at (801) 662-8256 can help you sort out which benefits apply.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
