Home Health Aides in University Place, WA: Hire In-Home Help

Local figures

Home Health Aides in University Place, WA: the local picture

13

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

$22.95

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

6,796

residents 65 or older (19% of University Place)

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Pierce County)

13 Medicare-certified home health agencies list University Place ZIP codes in their service area; the highest-rated are below, and 7 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 Washington earn a median $22.95 an hour (BLS, May 2025), with the middle half between $21.45 and $23.38.

University Place has about 6,796 residents aged 65 or older, 32% of whom report a disability.

University Place compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	University Place	Pierce County	Washington
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	36%	33%
Residents 65 or older	19%	15%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	1.5%	1.8%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	25%	26%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.1%	8.8%	8.9%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	19%	16%	21%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$82,456	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around University Place

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Fircrest, WA	1.8 mi	1,314	34%
Lakewood, WA	3.7 mi	10,825	45%
Steilacoom, WA	3.8 mi	1,270	32%
Tacoma, WA	4.8 mi	33,418	38%
Wollochet, WA	4.9 mi	1,739	38%
Fox Island, WA	5.5 mi	937	20%

Medicare-certified home health agencies serving University Place

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Puget Sound Home Health	Tacoma, WA	3.1 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(253) 581-9410
Centerwell Home Health	Tacoma, WA	3.1 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(253) 475-6862
Eden Home Health	Tukwila, WA	36 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 717-8161
Signature Healthcare At Home	Federal Way, WA	13 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(253) 661-5166
Chi Franciscan Health At Home	University Place, WA	0.9 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(253) 543-7026
Multicare Good Samaritan Home Health	Tacoma, WA	5.7 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(253) 301-6400
Providence At Home With Compassus, Puget Sound South	Lacey, WA	17 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 459-8311
Assured Home Health	Mountlake Terrace, WA	42 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(206) 364-1484

Straight-line miles from the center of University Place. 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 University Place

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $6,871 monthly median income of University Place households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 University Place: common questions

Which home health agencies serve University Place?

Medicare lists 13 certified agencies whose service area includes University Place ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Puget Sound Home Health (5 of 5), Centerwell Home Health (4.5 of 5), Eden Home Health (4.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does home health aides cost in University Place?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $6,871 monthly median income of University Place households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 University Place

More senior care near University Place

Home Health Aides in nearby cities

Other care in University Place

More for University Place families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; 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 University Place, WA