Expert Stairlift Installation in Ross, PA

Three to four hours for a straight lift in most Ross homes. Curved lifts take about the same on install day — the difference is the custom rail was already factory-bent after your measurement appointment. The crew bolts the rail directly to the stair treads, not the wall. No drywall work, no repainting, no structural changes. You stay home; the stairs stay usable.

No. The rail mounts to the stair treads with lag bolts — not to the wall, not to the drywall. If you have hardwood treads (common in Berkeley Hills ranches) or stone treads (common in older Perrysville colonials), the bolt points are hidden under the rail. If the lift is ever removed, you'd have small bolt holes in the treads that can be filled with wood putty or epoxy — no structural issues.

Yes — we install on staircases as narrow as 30 inches. Many older Ross homes in Evergreen Heights and Perrysville have 30- to 32-inch staircases. The seat, armrests, and footrest all fold up when not in use, leaving about 18 inches of passable stair width for other household members. For very tight staircases, we also offer a perch-seat model that takes even less space.

Outdoor stairlifts are common on Ross homes with porch entries in Laurel Gardens or stoops in split-level neighborhoods. They're IP55-rated — sealed against rain, snow, and Pittsburgh freeze-thaw cycles. The rail and seat use marine-grade materials. A heated seat tray is available as an add-on for winter months. The outdoor unit is key-locked to prevent unauthorized use.

Yes. The HISA (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations) grant covers stairlifts — $6,800 for service-connected veterans, $2,000 for non-service-connected. It's a one-time, tax-free benefit that never has to be repaid. The nearest VA facility is the H. John Heinz III VA Medical Center at 1010 Delafield Road in Aspinwall (about 15 minutes from Ross via Route 28). The Pittsburgh VA Medical Center–University Drive campus in Oakland is about 20 minutes away. We help with the two HISA forms at your free assessment.

Yes. Pennsylvania's Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver — the managed-care HCBS program administered by the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) — covers home modifications including stairlifts. CHC serves adults 21+ who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, or Medicaid-only individuals who require a nursing-home level of care. The OBRA Waiver (also under OLTL) covers home modifications as well. The process involves a needs assessment and prior authorization from your CHC managed-care organization (AmeriHealth Caritas, PA Health & Wellness, or UPMC CHC).

OPTIONS is a state-funded program administered by each county's Area Agency on Aging — not Medicaid. In Allegheny County, it serves residents 60+ who want to stay in their homes. After a care-manager assessment through Allegheny County AAA (SeniorLine: 412-350-5460), OPTIONS can cover home modifications including stairlifts. It's income-based but not as restrictive as Medicaid. The program's goal is keeping seniors in their own homes — a stairlift directly supports that.

Yes. The Allegheny Home Improvement Loan Program (AHILP) at 412-350-6337 provides low-interest loans up to $25,000 for home accessibility improvements including stairlifts — available to homeowners in Ross Township regardless of age. The Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging also coordinates with the PA Accessible Housing Program (PAHP), which provides grants for low-to-moderate-income homeowners with disabilities. Start with a call to SeniorLine at 412-350-5460 — they'll route you to the right program.