Mobility Assistance in Charleston, AR

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Charleston, AR: the local picture

47%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (26% in Franklin County)

122

residents 85 or older (4.6% of all residents)

13 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Booneville)

54%

of residents 65+ report a disability (44% in Franklin County)

About 206 Charleston residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (47%; 26% in Franklin County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Charleston that list physical therapy include Centerwell Home Health and Kindred At Home 1; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Charleston compared with Franklin County and Arkansas

Census figure	Charleston	Franklin County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	47%	26%	26%
Residents 85 or older	4.6%	2.8%	1.8%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	12%	5.8%	8.5%
Residents 65+ with a disability	54%	44%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	47%	33%	29%
Households with no vehicle	4.2%	7.2%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,438	$35,383	—

Older residents in towns around Charleston

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Greenwood, AR	12 mi	1,906	32%
Booneville, AR	13 mi	572	46%
Barling, AR	13 mi	990	27%
Alma, AR	17 mi	782	25%
Paris, AR	18 mi	742	30%
Ozark, AR	18 mi	642	29%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Centerwell Home Health	Waldron, AR	27 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy	(479) 637-0914
Kindred At Home 1	Fort Smith, AR	19 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy	(479) 452-0424
Adoration Home Health	Van Buren, AR	19 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(479) 474-4892
Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc	Paris, AR	18 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, home health aides	(479) 963-6868
Access Home Health	Fort Smith, AR	19 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work	(479) 441-5850
Elite Home Health	Fort Smith, AR	21 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(479) 435-7194

Emergency hospitals near Charleston

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Mercy Hospital Booneville	Booneville, AR	13 mi	4 of 5	(479) 675-2800
Mercy Hospital Paris	Paris, AR	18 mi	5 of 5	(479) 963-6101

Straight-line miles from the center of Charleston. 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 Charleston

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $3,453 monthly median income of Charleston households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Charleston: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Charleston?

At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $3,453 monthly median income of Charleston households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 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 Charleston

More senior care near Charleston

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Charleston

More for Charleston 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 Charleston, AR