Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
R
Rborden Asked July 2016

Is there financial aid available for a stair lift?

My Dad is 87, legally blind and is now having incidents of falling. Their house has 15 steps to exit/enter the house. Due to falling, my Dad is now afraid to leave the house. A stairlift would be an ideal option, but it is not within their or my budget...is their assistance available?

freqflyer Jul 2016
For all practical purposes, Medicare does not pay for stair lifts.

"The one possible exception to this rule is Medicare might pay for a small portion of the cost if the stair lift has an elevating seat which helps the rider to sit down and get up from the chair safely. However, such a feature would only be available in a high-end stair chair which would cost considerably more than the amount Medicare would reimburse the purchaser. In other words, the amount of financial assistance would be less than the additional cost for a stair lift which has that feature."

"Medicare supplemental insurance policies also do not cover stair lifts. These policies are intended to help with co-payments and deductibles for goods and services covered by Medicare. Since, Medicare does not help, neither would a Supplemental or Medigap policy." [source, Paying For Senior Care].

brandywine1949 Jul 2016
Does he have Medicare? If so, ask them if it is covered.

ADVERTISEMENT


Rborden Jul 2016
My Dad is not a veteran and a ramp is not an option...a stairlift is really the ideal solution. Thank you,

GardenArtist Jul 2016
Have you considered a ramp - 15 stairs is a lot for someone who's blind to navigate. Are there other entrances that could be adapted for a ramp, such as a back or side entrance?

GardenArtist Jul 2016
There are more threads on this issue here:

https://www.agingcare.com/search.aspx?searchterm=stair+lift+financial+assistance

If your father a veteran? If so, has he applied for any type of VA aid? The VA does provide some assistance for assistive devices.

freqflyer Jul 2016
Here is a similar question that was asked recently that has helpful answers.

https://www.agingcare.com/questions/crippled-elderly-mother-needs-stair-lift-201173.htm?cpage=1

One thing to keep in mind, would your Dad use the chairlift if it was installed? Best to have him try one out before installing. Some elders become frighten using such a device.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter