Mobility Assistance in Altoona, PA: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Altoona, PA: the local picture

17%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (17% in Blair County)

903

residents 85 or older (2.1% of all residents)

1.0 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Altoona)

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Blair County)

About 1,251 Altoona residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (17%; 17% in Blair County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Altoona that list physical therapy include Medi Home Health Agency and Upmc Home Healthcare Of Central Pennsylvania; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Altoona compared with Blair County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	Altoona	Blair County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	17%	17%	20%
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	2.8%	2.4%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	4.8%	6.2%	6.6%
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	31%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	35%	30%
Households with no vehicle	12%	8.6%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$38,233	$44,599	—

Older residents in towns around Altoona

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Greenwood, PA	3.2 mi	612	13%
Hollidaysburg, PA	5.3 mi	1,334	17%
Penn Farms, PA	6.4 mi	374	22%
Tyrone, PA	14 mi	1,094	12%
Ebensburg, PA	17 mi	842	15%
Huntingdon, PA	21 mi	1,335	7.4%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Medi Home Health Agency	State College, PA	34 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(814) 235-1048
Upmc Home Healthcare Of Central Pennsylvania	Altoona, PA	1.0 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(814) 946-5411
Advantage Home Health Services, LLC	Altoona, PA	1.0 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(814) 943-0222
Omni Home Care	State College, PA	35 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy	(814) 684-7366
Allegheny Health Network Healthcare At Home Home Health	Canonsburg, PA	94 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(724) 222-9906
Nason Hospital Home Health Agency	Roaring Spring, PA	13 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy	(814) 224-2141

Emergency hospitals near Altoona

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Upmc Altoona	Altoona, PA	1.0 mi	3 of 5	(814) 889-2011
Conemaugh Nason Medical Center	Roaring Spring, PA	13 mi	5 of 5	(814) 224-2141

Straight-line miles from the center of Altoona. 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 Altoona

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,186 monthly median income of Altoona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Altoona: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Altoona?

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,186 monthly median income of Altoona households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Altoona

More senior care near Altoona

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Altoona

More for Altoona 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 Altoona, PA