Mobility Assistance in Algona, IA: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Algona, IA: the local picture

21%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (15% in Kossuth County)

342

residents 85 or older (6.4% of all residents)

0.7 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Algona)

37%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Kossuth County)

About 251 Algona residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (21%; 15% in Kossuth County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

342 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving Algona that list physical therapy include Iowa Home Care, L L C and Community Health Services; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Algona compared with Kossuth County and Iowa

Census figure	Algona	Kossuth County	Iowa
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	21%	15%	17%
Residents 85 or older	6.4%	4.3%	2.3%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	11%	5.8%	5.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	37%	30%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	41%	35%	31%
Households with no vehicle	11%	6.1%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,750	$48,391	—

Older residents in towns around Algona

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Emmetsburg, IA	23 mi	934	24%
Humboldt, IA	24 mi	1,089	19%
Garner, IA	32 mi	916	25%
Forest City, IA	32 mi	756	15%
Eagle Grove, IA	33 mi	653	13%
Clarion, IA	35 mi	539	19%

Home health agencies serving Algona (therapy needs a doctor’s order)

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Iowa Home Care, L L C	Webster City, IA	47 mi	2.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 576-2273
Community Health Services	Algona, IA	0.7 mi	1.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(515) 295-4430

Emergency hospitals near Algona

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Kossuth Regional Health Center	Algona, IA	0.7 mi	1 of 5	(515) 295-2451
Palo Alto County Hospital	Emmetsburg, IA	23 mi	not rated	(712) 852-5500

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

What it covers

What a caregiver for mobility help can help with

Steadying walks inside and outside the home
Transfers: bed, chair, toilet, shower and car
Help with walkers, canes and wheelchairs
The home exercises a physical therapist set

Cost

What mobility assistance costs in Algona

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,646 monthly median income of Algona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa'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 caregiver for mobility help

Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, and over 14 million, or 1 in 4, older adults report falling every year (CDC).

Questions worth asking: Which transfers are you trained to do safely? Have you used a gait belt, walker or wheelchair with clients? What would you do if my parent started to fall? More in our mobility assistance guide.

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

Questions

Mobility Assistance in Algona: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Algona?

At the Iowa median aide wage of $17.34 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,503 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,646 monthly median income of Algona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

What does a caregiver do to help with mobility?

Walks beside the person, helps them stand and sit, transfers them to bed, chair, toilet, shower or car, and keeps walkways clear. They do not replace a physical therapist.

More near Algona

More senior care near Algona

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Algona

More for Algona 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.

Mobility Assistance at Home in Algona, IA