Are you or a loved one in Lancaster, PA, having a harder time with the stairs at home? You’re not alone. A lot of homes here, from brick row homes in the city to older farmhouses out in the county, were built with steep, narrow staircases that get tougher to manage with age, a recent surgery, or changes in mobility or vision.
The risk is real. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults 65 and older, and the age-adjusted fall death rate rose 21% between 2018 and 2024. A chair lift for stairs is one of the most practical ways to make a staircase safer without moving or remodeling.
In this article, we’ll cover what chair lifts for stairs are, which type works for different Lancaster homes, how installation works with our Lancaster team, and the Pennsylvania programs that may help you pay for one.
What Is a Chair Lifts for Stairs?
A chair lift for stairs (also called a stair lift or stair glide) is a motorized seat that operates along a rail installed on your staircase. You sit down, buckle in, and the chair carries you up or down. When you’re not using it, the seat, armrests, and footrest fold up so others can still use the stairs.
Chair lifts for stairs aren’t the same as platform lifts or wheelchair lifts, which carry an entire wheelchair. They’re also different from lift chairs, the recliners that tilt forward to help you stand up.
Which Type of Stair Lift Fits Your Lancaster Home?
The shape of your staircase decides the type of lift you need:
- Straight stair lift: for stairs that go from one floor to the next with no turns.
- Curved stair lift: custom-built for stairs with a landing, a turn, or an L-shape.
- Outdoor stair lift: weather-rated for porch steps, side entries, or steps down to the yard. Comes in straight or curved.
We see a few common setups around Lancaster County. City rowhomes usually have one long, narrow staircase, and sometimes a turn at the top or bottom. A slim straight lift often fits, but a turn means a curved rail. Older farmhouses often have steep back stairs or more than one staircase, and some homeowners choose a lift for each one. Many homes here also have several steps up to the front porch, and an outdoor lift can make getting in and out of the house much easier.
Independent Home Solutions installs Bruno stair lifts, which are made in the USA. The Bruno Elan holds up to 300 pounds, and the Elite models hold up to 400 pounds. Indoor Bruno lifts come with a limited lifetime warranty on major components (the motor, gearbox, and rail) for the original owner. Outdoor models come with a five-year limited warranty.
How Long Does Stair Lift Installation Take in Lancaster, PA?
Most straight and outdoor stair lifts are installed in one day. Curved stair lifts take longer because the rail is custom-made to fit your staircase. Once the rail arrives, installation usually takes one to two days.
What Is the Installation Process?
It starts with a free in-home assessment. Call our Lancaster office at 717-393-8213 or fill out our free estimate form, and we’ll set up a time to visit. Appointments are usually available the same week.
At the assessment, we’ll measure your staircase, talk about your needs, and help you decide which stair lift makes sense for your home. You’ll get a quote with no obligation, and if you’d like to move forward, we’ll pick an installation date.
On installation day, our team installs the lift. The rail attaches to the stair treads, not the wall, so your walls stay untouched. That matters in older homes with plaster walls. Before we leave, we’ll show you how to use the lift and answer any questions.
“IHS recently installed a chair lift for my 85 year old grandmother. I would highly recommend the company to anyone needing a chair lift. The product is amazing and so easy to use. Rick installed the chair quickly and showed me how it operates. I love that it folds up out of the way when we are not using it. Grams is so happy now that she does not have to walk up the stairs. Great investment! Thank you IHS for the quick turnaround on the install…”
– Shelly B. · ★★★★★ on Google
Have more questions about installation? Reach our Pennsylvania team at 717-393-8213.
What Are the Benefits of Chair Lifts for Stairs? (From the Experts)
Don’t just take our word for it. We spoke with experts in senior care and those who help older adults make their homes safer to find out whether stair lifts are worth the hype. Here’s what they had to say:
We spoke to Brenda Scott, an Adaptiv Home Specialist who specializes in helping older adults make their homes more accessible and organized. “I specialize in aging in place and home organizing, and think stair lifts can be a great help to anyone with mobility issues who lives in a home with different levels.
I have a client with two units, one for each staircase, and she loves them. They are slim, and the armrests are foldable, so it’s easy to sit down and takes up less room for others using the stairs. On top of that, she can take them with her when she moves if needed.
They also make a great selling feature if someone may have a senior parent living with them who needs help.”
Other experts on senior care, like Kristin McGinn, the COO of Assurance Home Care, believe that “There’s also a certain peace of mind that comes with owning [a stairlift] you rely on daily, knowing it’s always there for you. In my experience, buying a stairlift is the best option for those who want a long-term solution that truly enhances their independence and comfort at home.”
How to Pay for a Chair Lift for Stairs in Pennsylvania
Medicare doesn’t cover stair lifts because they aren’t considered durable medical equipment, and most private insurance plans don’t either. But Pennsylvania residents have more options than many people realize.
Here’s where to start:
- Community HealthChoices (CHC): If you qualify for Medical Assistance (Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program) and get long-term care services through the CHC waiver, your plan may cover a stair lift. Ask your CHC service coordinator about adding it to your service plan.
- Lancaster County Office of Aging: If you’re 60 or older and don’t qualify for Medicaid, the Office of Aging can tell you about the state’s OPTIONS program and other local services. Call 717-299-7979.
- Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF): Offers low-interest loans for assistive technology and home modifications.
- VA HISA grant: Veterans may get up to $6,800 toward medically necessary home modifications for service-connected disabilities, or up to $2,000 for non-service-connected ones. Ask your VA provider whether a stair lift qualifies.
- HSA or FSA: You may be able to use these funds if your doctor documents that a stair lift is medically necessary.
Independent Home Solutions also offers financing through Wisetack, so you can see your monthly payment options before you commit.
FAQs About Chair Lift for Stairs: Lancaster, PA
How much do chair lifts for stairs cost?
Stair lifts in Lancaster, PA usually cost between $3,400 and $10,000. However, if installation fees aren’t included, they can sometimes be found at a slightly lower price, and some customized stair lifts can cost up to $30,000.
Does Medicare pay for stair lifts?
No, Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of chair lifts for stairs. Medicare plans cover durable medical equipment (DME), such as hospital beds and walkers, but stair lifts aren’t considered DME.
We recommend calling your insurance provider to find out which mobility devices they cover and whether they offer partial financial assistance for devices such as stair lifts.
Are stair lifts and chair lifts for stairs the same thing?
The terms “chair lifts for stairs” and “stair lifts” are often used interchangeably and refer to the accessibility device that carries people up and down the stairs. Some providers may also refer to wheelchair lifts and platform lifts as “chair lifts for stairs.”
Are lift chairs and chair lifts for stairs different?
Yes, lift chairs raise people up so they can get out of a chair comfortably, while chair lifts for stairs are mobility devices that carry people up and down indoor or outdoor stairs.
Is there a reliable stairlift company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
Independent Home Solutions has installed many stair lifts for homeowners in Lancaster County. We have hundreds of five-star reviews and happy customers.
If you’re also thinking about other changes to make your home safer, take a look at our walk-in showers and wheelchair ramps.
Independent Home Solutions has different service areas across Pennsylvania. Currently, we serve residents in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Reading, and York.
