Mobility Assistance in Big Stone Gap, VA

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Big Stone Gap, VA: the local picture

48%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (35% in Wise County)

80

residents 85 or older (1.5% of all residents)

0.8 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Big Stone Gap)

61%

of residents 65+ report a disability (54% in Wise County)

About 368 Big Stone Gap residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (48%; 35% in Wise County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Big Stone Gap that list physical therapy include Ballad Health Homecare - Norton and Ballad Health Homecare - Abingdon; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Big Stone Gap compared with Wise County and Virginia

Census figure	Big Stone Gap	Wise County	Virginia
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	48%	35%	19%
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	1.6%	1.7%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	16%	12%	6.7%
Residents 65+ with a disability	61%	54%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	29%	27%
Households with no vehicle	16%	9.1%	6.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$50,795	$35,825	—

Older residents in towns around Big Stone Gap

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Norton, VA	9.6 mi	761	32%
Wise, VA	13 mi	514	34%
Mount Carmel, TN	21 mi	1,272	20%
Church Hill, TN	24 mi	1,706	24%
Bloomingdale, TN	24 mi	2,040	25%
Kingsport, TN	27 mi	13,132	25%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Ballad Health Homecare - Norton	Norton, VA	9.8 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(276) 973-9481
Ballad Health Homecare - Abingdon	Abingdon, VA	44 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(276) 525-1227
Adoration Home Health	Wise, VA	13 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(276) 523-4915
Amedisys Home Health Care	Abingdon, VA	44 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(276) 619-2532
Centerwell Home Health	Abingdon, VA	44 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(276) 623-0665
Centerwell Home Health	Bristol, VA	37 mi	3.5 of 5	—	(276) 285-6020

Emergency hospitals near Big Stone Gap

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Lonesome Pine Hospital	Big Stone Gap, VA	0.8 mi	4 of 5	(276) 523-3111
Lee County Community Hospital	Pennington Gap, VA	16 mi	not rated	(276) 299-5000

Straight-line miles from the center of Big Stone Gap. 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 Stone Gap

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $4,233 monthly median income of Big Stone Gap households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Stone Gap: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Big Stone Gap?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $4,233 monthly median income of Big Stone Gap households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Stone Gap

More senior care near Big Stone Gap

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Big Stone Gap

More for Big Stone Gap 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 Stone Gap, VA