Home Health Aides in Sylva, NC: Hire In-Home Help

Local figures

Home Health Aides in Sylva, NC: the local picture

2

Medicare-certified home health agencies list Sylva ZIP codes in their service area

$15.02

median hourly wage of home care aides in North Carolina (BLS, May 2025)

385

residents 65 or older (15% of Sylva)

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Jackson County)

2 Medicare-certified home health agencies list Sylva ZIP codes in their service area; the highest-rated are below, and 2 of those list home health aide services. Agency aides are usually part of care a doctor orders. For help beyond those visits, families hire an aide directly.

Home health and personal care aides in North Carolina earn a median $15.02 an hour (BLS, May 2025), with the middle half between $13.65 and $17.08.

Sylva has about 385 residents aged 65 or older, 36% of whom report a disability.

Sylva compared with Jackson County and North Carolina

Census figure	Sylva	Jackson County	North Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	28%	33%
Residents 65 or older	15%	20%	17%
Residents 85 or older	4.6%	1.6%	1.7%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	59%	24%	28%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	38%	11%	11%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	10.0%	8.1%	13%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$30,938	$60,284	—

Older residents in towns around Sylva

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Cullowhee, NC	5.0 mi	241	45%
Waynesville, NC	15 mi	2,815	45%
Franklin, NC	16 mi	1,228	44%
Lake Junaluska, NC	17 mi	909	32%
Canton, NC	24 mi	810	46%
Gatlinburg, TN	29 mi	838	38%

Medicare-certified home health agencies serving Sylva

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Harris Home Health	Sylva, NC	2.1 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(828) 586-7410
Carepartners Home Health Services	Asheville, NC	40 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	—

Straight-line miles from the center of Sylva. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a home health aide can help with

Bathing, grooming, dressing and toileting
Transfers, walking and positioning
Meals and help with eating
Medication reminders

Cost

What home health aides costs in Sylva

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $2,578 monthly median income of Sylva households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a home health aide

Federal rules require home health aides who work for Medicare-certified agencies to complete at least 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, or pass a competency evaluation (42 CFR 484.80). Many states add their own requirements.

Questions worth asking: Where did you train, and can I see the certificate? Have you worked for a home health agency? Which transfers and equipment are you trained on? More in our home health aides guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Home Health Aides in Sylva: common questions

Which home health agencies serve Sylva?

Medicare lists 2 certified agencies whose service area includes Sylva ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Harris Home Health (3 of 5), Carepartners Home Health Services (3 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does home health aides cost in Sylva?

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 50% of the $2,578 monthly median income of Sylva households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

What is the difference between a home health aide and a CNA?

Both are trained in personal care. A certified nursing assistant (CNA) has passed a state exam and is on the state nurse aide registry, and often works in nursing homes and hospitals. A home health aide is trained for care in the home. Neither does skilled nursing.

More near Sylva

More senior care near Sylva

Home Health Aides in nearby cities

Other care in Sylva

More for Sylva families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Home Health Aides in Sylva, NC