Mobility Assistance in Charleston, SC

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Charleston, SC: the local picture

17%

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

3,001

residents 85 or older (1.9% of all residents)

3.3 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Charleston)

28%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Charleston County)

About 4,247 Charleston residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (17%; 17% in Charleston County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

3,001 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 Amedisys Home Health Of Charleston East and Centerwell Home Health; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Charleston compared with Charleston County and South Carolina

Census figure	Charleston	Charleston County	South Carolina
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	17%	17%	21%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	1.9%	1.8%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	5.1%	4.7%	6.5%
Residents 65+ with a disability	28%	27%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	29%	27%
Households with no vehicle	7.2%	5.9%	5.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$74,872	$65,198	—

Older residents in towns around Charleston

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Mount Pleasant, SC	6.4 mi	17,275	14%
James Island, SC	6.7 mi	2,168	16%
Hanahan, SC	7.3 mi	2,750	31%
North Charleston, SC	8.2 mi	14,951	25%
Goose Creek, SC	12 mi	5,855	20%
Isle of Palms, SC	13 mi	1,514	10%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Amedisys Home Health Of Charleston East	Charleston, SC	4.9 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(843) 556-0200
Centerwell Home Health	North Charleston, SC	8.2 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(843) 744-1191
Amedisys Home Health Of Charleston	North Charleston, SC	8.2 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(843) 553-1263
Pruitthealth Home Health-Low Country	Bluffton, SC	61 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(843) 872-0946
Interim Healthcare	North Charleston, SC	2.0 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(843) 518-5437
Musc Health At Home, By Bayada- Charleston	Charleston, SC	2.0 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(843) 576-5378

Emergency hospitals near Charleston

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Musc Medical Center	Charleston, SC	3.3 mi	2 of 5	(843) 792-2300
Roper Hospital	Charleston, SC	3.9 mi	4 of 5	(843) 724-2800

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 South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 20% of the $6,239 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. South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 20% of the $6,239 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. South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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, SC