Mobility Assistance in Brainerd, MN

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Brainerd, MN: the local picture

35%

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

501

residents 85 or older (3.5% of all residents)

4.7 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Brainerd)

45%

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

About 816 Brainerd residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (35%; 17% in Crow Wing County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Brainerd that list physical therapy include Aveanna Home Health and Good Samaritan Home Health; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Brainerd compared with Crow Wing County and Minnesota

Census figure	Brainerd	Crow Wing County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	35%	17%	16%
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	3.0%	2.1%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	12%	4.9%	5.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	30%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	48%	29%	30%
Households with no vehicle	13%	4.9%	6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,250	$56,498	—

Older residents in towns around Brainerd

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Baxter, MN	3.8 mi	2,095	16%
Breezy Point, MN	18 mi	656	7.9%
Crosslake, MN	23 mi	1,012	15%
Little Falls, MN	27 mi	2,345	29%
Long Prairie, MN	41 mi	887	21%
Wadena, MN	45 mi	803	34%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Aveanna Home Health	Grand Rapids, MN	69 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(218) 326-0004
Good Samaritan Home Health	Nisswa, MN	11 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(218) 963-9452
Mille Lacs Home Care	Onamia, MN	31 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(320) 532-2800
Vivie Home Health	Alexandria, MN	66 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(320) 759-1273
Lakewood Health System Home Care & Hospice	Staples, MN	27 mi	2 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(218) 894-8080
Good Neighbor Hhc Of Brainerd	Baxter, MN	4.1 mi	1.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(218) 829-9238

Emergency hospitals near Brainerd

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Essentia Health St Joseph's Medical Center	Brainerd, MN	4.7 mi	3 of 5	(218) 829-2861
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center	Crosby, MN	15 mi	3 of 5	(218) 546-2300

Straight-line miles from the center of Brainerd. 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 Brainerd

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $3,438 monthly median income of Brainerd households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Brainerd: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Brainerd?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $3,438 monthly median income of Brainerd households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 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 Brainerd

More senior care near Brainerd

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Brainerd

More for Brainerd 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 Brainerd, MN