Mobility Assistance in Big Lake, AK

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Big Lake, AK: the local picture

20%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (21% in Matanuska-Susitna Borough)

14

residents 85 or older (0.4% of all residents)

22 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Anchorage)

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Matanuska-Susitna Borough)

About 113 Big Lake residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (20%; 21% in Matanuska-Susitna Borough). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Big Lake that list physical therapy include Enhabit Home Health and Ancora Home Health & Hospice; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Big Lake compared with Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Alaska

Census figure	Big Lake	Matanuska-Susitna Borough	Alaska
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	20%	21%	19%
Residents 85 or older	0.4%	0.9%	0.9%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	8.3%	7.2%	6.8%
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	34%	35%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	20%	26%	27%
Households with no vehicle	2.5%	3.8%	9.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$69,722	$63,354	—

Older residents in towns around Big Lake

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Knik-Fairview, AK	12 mi	2,183	17%
Meadow Lakes, AK	15 mi	1,113	22%
Wasilla, AK	18 mi	1,659	35%
Tanaina, AK	20 mi	964	22%
South Lakes, AK	22 mi	728	15%
North Lakes, AK	23 mi	1,321	16%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Enhabit Home Health	Anchorage, AK	23 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(907) 272-1275
Ancora Home Health & Hospice	Wasilla, AK	20 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(907) 561-0700
St. Agatha Home Healthcare, LLC	Anchorage, AK	23 mi	not rated	—	(907) 302-2462

Emergency hospitals near Big Lake

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Providence Alaska Medical Center	Anchorage, AK	22 mi	3 of 5	(907) 562-2211
Alaska Regional Hospital	Anchorage, AK	22 mi	1 of 5	(907) 276-1131

Straight-line miles from the center of Big Lake. 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 Big Lake

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $5,810 monthly median income of Big Lake households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 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 How to get paid to care for a family member in Alaska: consumer-directed personal care.

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 Big Lake: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Big Lake?

At the Alaska median aide wage of $19.11 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,656 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $5,810 monthly median income of Big Lake households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alaska's minimum wage is $14.00 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 Big Lake

More senior care near Big Lake

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Big Lake

More for Big Lake 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 Big Lake, AK