Expert Stairlift Installation in Swatara, PA

A straight-rail install takes about 3 hours. Curved lifts take 4 to 6 hours, depending on the number of turns. Outdoor units take about 3 hours as well. We arrive with the rail pre-fabricated, bolt it to the treads (never the drywall), mount the carriage, plug into a standard wall outlet, and test. You stay in the house the whole time — no need to leave.

No. The rail bolts directly to the stair treads — not the wall, not the drywall. For Swatara's older homes with original oak or pine treads, we use bolts that seat flush without splitting the wood. The lift plugs into a nearby standard outlet; no rewiring. When the lift eventually comes out, the bolt holes in the treads are small enough to fill and refinish.

No. Stairlifts are classified as removable medical equipment under Pennsylvania law, not structural alterations. No permit is required in Swatara Township or anywhere in Dauphin County. The lift attaches to the treads with bolts — it doesn't modify the structure of the home.

Yes. We install on staircases as narrow as 28 inches. Most Lawnton and Lenker Manor homes from the 1940s and '50s have 34-inch stair widths, which is plenty. The seat and carriage fold up when not in use, leaving about 16 inches of clear passage. We measure the narrowest point during the assessment to confirm fit before ordering any rail.

Yes — through the HISA grant (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations). Veterans with service-connected disabilities can receive up to $6,800. Non-service-connected veterans with a 50% or higher disability rating can receive up to $2,000. It's a one-time, tax-free grant that never has to be repaid. The nearest VA facility for Swatara residents is the Lebanon VA Medical Center at 1700 South Lincoln Avenue, Lebanon, PA 17042 — about 25 miles east. You'll need a prescription from a VA physician and a completed VA Form 10-0103.

Yes, through two programs. Community HealthChoices (CHC) covers home modifications including stairlifts for adults with physical disabilities who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, or Medicaid-only with qualifying conditions. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) Waiver covers stairlifts for seniors 60 and older who meet nursing-home level of care criteria. Both programs require a physician's statement of medical necessity. We help with the paperwork at no extra charge.

Start with your VA primary care physician — they write the prescription stating the stairlift is medically necessary. Then submit VA Form 10-0103 along with the prescription and a contractor quote to the prosthetics department at the Lebanon VA Medical Center. The approval process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. We'll provide the detailed quote and product specs the VA requires. If you're not yet enrolled in VA healthcare, you can register at the Lebanon VAMC in person or start online at va.gov.

Yes. The ACCESS Home Modification Program through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) provides loans for home accessibility improvements. The Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) offers low-interest loans for mobility equipment including stairlifts — with rates as low as 0% for qualifying applicants. Some long-term care insurance policies also cover stairlifts as a home-modification benefit. We can check your policy language during the assessment to see if coverage applies.