Mobility Assistance in Boston, MA: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Boston, MA: the local picture

26%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs

10,842

residents 85 or older (1.6% of all residents)

2.4 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Boston)

37%

of residents 65+ report a disability

About 22,436 Boston residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (26%). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

10,842 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving Boston that list physical therapy include Elara Caring and Central Home Health Care, Inc; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Boston compared with Massachusetts

Census figure	Boston	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	26%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	2.2%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	12%	7.2%
Residents 65+ with a disability	37%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	29%
Households with no vehicle	33%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$51,082	—

Older residents in towns around Boston

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Winthrop Town, MA	3.5 mi	3,631	22%
Chelsea, MA	4.1 mi	4,188	41%
Everett, MA	5.0 mi	5,660	20%
Quincy, MA	5.4 mi	18,123	20%
Somerville, MA	5.5 mi	8,108	19%
Cambridge, MA	5.7 mi	14,440	12%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Elara Caring	Braintree, MA	9.0 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(617) 969-7517
Central Home Health Care, Inc	Needham, MA	11 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(617) 559-0200
Patient Care Solutions, LLC	Danvers, MA	16 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(781) 595-0311
Caring Hearts Homecare Inc	Wilmington, MA	17 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(978) 658-5104
Legacy Lifecare Visiting Nurse Agency	Chelsea, MA	4.1 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(617) 887-0826
Primary Homecare Specialties	Milton, MA	6.6 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, home health aides	(617) 696-0600

Emergency hospitals near Boston

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Tufts Medical Center	Boston, MA	2.4 mi	2 of 5	(617) 636-5000
Boston Medical Center	Boston, MA	2.8 mi	3 of 5	(617) 638-8000

Straight-line miles from the center of Boston. 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 Boston

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $4,257 monthly median income of Boston households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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 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 Boston: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Boston?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $4,257 monthly median income of Boston households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Boston

More senior care near Boston

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Boston

More for Boston 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 Boston, MA