Expert Stairlift Installation in Middle Smithfield, PA

A straight stairlift install takes about 3 hours from arrival to final test. A curved unit takes 5-6 hours because the rail sections are custom-fitted. Outdoor units run about 3-4 hours. We schedule morning appointments so you're not waiting around all day. The rail bolts directly to the stair treads — no drywall work, no rewiring, no structural changes. You can use the stairs normally while we work; the rail sits along the side.

No. The rail brackets bolt into the treads, not the wall, so your drywall and baseboards are untouched. On carpeted stairs — which are common in the Knoll Acres and Northslope communities — the bracket mounts through the carpet into the wood tread beneath. If you ever remove the lift, the bolt holes are about the diameter of a pencil and are easily filled. On stone or tile treads, like those in some Northslope entry stairs, we set masonry anchors that leave the same small footprint.

Yes. The narrowest stair width we can work with is about 28 inches, measured wall-to-wall. Most Middle Smithfield homes — even the older ranches in Resica Falls and the split-levels in CCP Townhomes — have stairs at least 32 inches wide. The seat folds up when not in use, leaving about 24 inches of clearance for others to walk past. If your staircase is unusually narrow, we'll measure it at the free assessment and tell you honestly whether it will work before you spend a dollar.

Yes. We've installed in almost every HOA and POA community in Middle Smithfield Township — CCP North, CCP South, CCP Townhomes, Knoll Acres I and II, Northslope I and II, and Winona Lakes. A stairlift is considered an accessibility modification, not a structural alteration, so it doesn't typically trigger HOA architectural review. It's installed inside your home and can be removed without damage. If your HOA has specific questions, we can provide a spec sheet showing the bolt-to-tread mounting method.

Yes. The VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant covers up to $6,800 for service-connected veterans and up to $2,000 for non-service-connected veterans. It's a one-time, tax-free benefit — no repayment, no income threshold. The application requires a prescription from a VA physician stating the stairlift is medically necessary. Middle Smithfield veterans can get this through the Tobyhanna VA Clinic (11 Hap Arnold Boulevard, Building 220, Tobyhanna, PA 18466) or the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center (1111 East End Boulevard, Plains Township). We can help coordinate the paperwork during your assessment.

Yes, Pennsylvania's Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver — administered by the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) — can cover home modifications including stairlifts. The key requirement is medical necessity: the stairlift must allow you to remain at home rather than move to a nursing facility. The waiver is available to Pennsylvanians 21 and older who qualify for both Medicaid and long-term care services. The process involves a clinical assessment, a prescription from your doctor, and approval from your CHC managed care organization. Coverage amounts vary by plan, but we can help you start the conversation with your care coordinator.

Beyond VA and Medicaid, Monroe County residents can check with the Monroe County Area Agency on Aging — they sometimes have small home-safety grants for seniors, though these are limited and competitive. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging also runs the OPTIONS program, which can cover minor home modifications on a case-by-case basis. For veterans, the Monroe County Veterans Affairs Office can advise on additional state-level benefits. And of course, our $79/month financing is available to anyone who qualifies regardless of age or veteran status.

The process has three steps. First, schedule an appointment with your VA primary care provider at the Tobyhanna VA Clinic (11 Hap Arnold Boulevard, Building 220, Tobyhanna, PA 18466; schedule through Wilkes-Barre VA at 570-824-3521) or the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center. Second, get a written prescription stating that a stairlift is medically necessary for your condition — this is the core of the application. Third, submit the prescription with VA Form 10-0103 (the HISA application) to the prosthetics department at Wilkes-Barre VAMC. Approval typically takes 4-6 weeks.