Expert Stairlift Installation in Northampton (Northampton County), PA

A straight stairlift install takes about 3 hours from arrival to cleanup. Curved lifts take 4–5 hours because the rail comes in sections that need assembly and final alignment. Outdoor installs run about 3 hours as well. We don't cut corners on older Northampton homes — if the treads have settled over 100 years (common in the Historic District), we shim and level the rail to the tread surface so the carriage rides smooth. No structural work. No drywall repair.

No. The rail bolts directly to the stair treads — not the wall. We never drill into drywall, plaster, or wainscoting. For the Historic District homes along Main Street with original oak treads, we use a stud-finder to avoid hidden nails and pre-drill cleanly. When the lift is eventually removed, the bolt holes in the treads are small enough to fill with wood putty. Most families leave the lift in place — it adds value for the next owner who may need it.

Yes. First Ward brick twins and row homes typically have straight staircases with tread widths around 30–32 inches — tight but workable. The Elan model folds to just 13 inches when parked, so there's still room to walk past it. We've installed in dozens of twins along Washington Avenue and 22nd Street. The key is the home measurement — we check the width at the narrowest point (usually the top or bottom step) before recommending a model.

Our outdoor stairlift uses an IP55-rated, marine-grade aluminum rail that holds up to Pennsylvania winters — snow, freeze-thaw, road salt, all of it. The seat and carriage are weather-sealed. We've installed outdoor lifts on raised porches in the First Ward, on Canal Street homes with exterior basement entries, and on split-level side entrances throughout the borough. The rail comes with a waterproof cover. Install takes about 3 hours.

Yes. The VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant covers up to $6,800 for veterans with service-connected disabilities and up to $2,000 for non-service-connected veterans rated 50% or higher. It's a one-time, tax-free benefit that never has to be repaid. The Northampton County VA Clinic at 701 Slate Belt Blvd in Bangor (610-599-0127) can help start the paperwork. The Allentown VA Clinic at 3110 Hamilton Blvd is also nearby. You'll need a prescription from a VA physician stating the stairlift is medically necessary.

Yes. Pennsylvania's Community HealthChoices (CHC) HCBS Waiver covers home modifications including stairlifts. CHC consolidated the former Attendant Care, Independence, and CommCare waivers under the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL). To qualify, you must be a Pennsylvania resident 21 or older, eligible for Medicaid, and require nursing-facility-level care but choose to remain at home. The Northampton County Area Agency on Aging at 2801 Emrick Blvd in Bethlehem can help determine eligibility and start the application.

The Northampton County Area Agency on Aging (2801 Emrick Blvd, Bethlehem, PA 18020) administers the OPTIONS program for residents 60 and older, which can provide home modifications including stairlifts based on assessed need. They also coordinate with the CHC waiver program and can connect you with Pennsylvania's LINK aging-and-disability resource network. Call them directly at 610-829-4540 to schedule an in-home assessment — no cost. They serve all four wards of Northampton Borough.

The OPTIONS program is a state-funded Pennsylvania program for residents age 60 and older who want to stay in their homes. It provides home modifications — including stairlifts — based on an in-home needs assessment. Funding depends on your county's allocation and your assessed need level. It's not income-based, but there may be a cost share depending on your financial situation. The Northampton County Area Agency on Aging runs the program locally. There's also the Keystone Communities Accessible Housing Grant for low-to-moderate-income residents with permanent disabilities, though availability varies by funding cycle.