Expert Stairlift Installation in Merrillville, IN

A straight-rail install in a ranch or split-level takes about 3 to 4 hours from arrival to final walkthrough. Curved lifts take a full day because the custom rail has more mounting points and each bracket needs independent leveling. Outdoor installs on a covered porch or stoop take about 4 hours. Luis handles every step — he shows up with the rail, mounts it to the treads (not the wall), runs a short self-test, and then walks you through the controls before he leaves.

No. The rail bolts directly to the stair treads, not the wall or the drywall. Each bracket uses two bolts into the tread surface — the holes are small, and if you ever remove the lift, they can be filled with wood putty. For the carpeted stairs we see so often in Independence Hill and Lincoln Gardens homes, the brackets mount through the carpet into the tread beneath without tearing or pulling the carpet. There's no wiring work either — the lift plugs into a standard wall outlet at the top or bottom of the stairs.

Yes. The rail adds about 11 inches to the width of the staircase when the seat is folded up — that's the industry standard. In older Merrillville builds along 73rd Avenue where stairs can be as narrow as 30 inches, we use a perch-seat option that takes less folded depth. The seat, armrests, and footrest all fold up to leave a clear path for others on the stairs. Luis measures the narrowest point during the assessment and tells you exactly what will fit.

Luis can usually be at your home for the free measurement within 48 hours. If the rail is in stock — which it is for most straight installs — we can install the same week. Curved rails take 2 to 3 weeks because the rail is custom-bent at the factory after we laser-measure your stairs. If you need it faster due to a hospital discharge or fall, tell us on the call and we'll prioritize the measure.

Yes — through the HISA (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations) grant. It covers up to $6,800 for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and up to $2,000 for non-service-connected veterans rated at 50% or higher. The grant is one-time, tax-free, and never repaid. In Merrillville, the HISA application goes through the Adam Benjamin Jr. VA Outpatient Clinic at 9301 Madison Street in Crown Point — about 6 miles south, part of the VA Chicago Health Care system.

Indiana's PathWays for Aging program — which replaced the old Aged & Disabled Waiver in July 2024 — covers home modifications including stairlifts for Hoosiers aged 60 and older on Medicaid. It's a managed-care program, so your specific coverage depends on your managed care entity (Anthem, Humana, or UnitedHealthcare in this region). Home modifications fall under environmental accessibility adaptations and require prior authorization. For adults under 60 with physical disabilities, the Health & Wellness (H&W) Waiver covers the same. The Lake County division of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration can confirm your eligibility.

Yes. The Indiana Assistive Technology (AT) Act program — run through Easterseals Crossroads — provides device demonstrations and some funding assistance for home accessibility equipment. The Older Americans Act Title III-B program, administered locally through area agencies on aging, can cover home modifications for income-qualified seniors. For Northwest Indiana, the Northwest Indiana Community Action Corporation (NWICA) administers weatherization and home-repair assistance that can include accessibility work. Luis can point you toward the right contact at the assessment.

Start with a free in-home assessment. Luis comes out, measures your stairs, and writes up exactly what you need with itemized pricing — that documentation is what every funding source requires. For VA: take the assessment summary to your primary care provider at the Adam Benjamin Jr. clinic in Crown Point and request a medical-necessity prescription. For PathWays for Aging: contact your managed care entity's care coordinator and submit the assessment as supporting documentation for prior authorization. For other grants: Luis can provide the spec sheet and quote that most applications ask for.