Mobility Assistance in Cambridge, MA

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Cambridge, MA: the local picture

12%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (16% in Middlesex County)

1,516

residents 85 or older (1.3% of all residents)

0.4 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Cambridge)

24%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Middlesex County)

About 1,745 Cambridge residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (12%; 16% in Middlesex County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

1,516 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

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

Cambridge compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Cambridge	Middlesex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	12%	16%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.3%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	4.3%	6.5%	7.2%
Residents 65+ with a disability	24%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	28%	29%
Households with no vehicle	33%	10%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$93,540	$78,342	—

Older residents in towns around Cambridge

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Somerville, MA	1.3 mi	8,108	19%
Watertown, MA	3.1 mi	6,506	23%
Medford, MA	3.3 mi	9,028	17%
Belmont, MA	3.4 mi	5,235	13%
Arlington, MA	3.7 mi	8,030	14%
Brookline, MA	3.8 mi	9,986	15%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Central Home Health Care, Inc	Needham, MA	8.1 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(617) 559-0200
Caring Hearts Homecare Inc	Wilmington, MA	13 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(978) 658-5104
Elara Caring	Braintree, MA	13 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(617) 969-7517
Suburban Home Health Care, Inc	Boston, MA	2.7 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(617) 264-7100
All Care Vna-Greater Lynn Inc	Lynn, MA	11 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(781) 598-2454
Alternative Home Health Care, LLC	Methuen, MA	25 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(978) 657-7444

Emergency hospitals near Cambridge

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Mount Auburn Hospital	Cambridge, MA	0.4 mi	4 of 5	(617) 492-3500
Cambridge Health Alliance	Cambridge, MA	1.1 mi	3 of 5	(617) 665-1000

Straight-line miles from the center of Cambridge. 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 Cambridge

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 22% of the $7,795 monthly median income of Cambridge 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 Cambridge: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Cambridge?

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 22% of the $7,795 monthly median income of Cambridge 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 Cambridge

More senior care near Cambridge

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Cambridge

More for Cambridge 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 Cambridge, MA