Mobility Assistance in Chicago, IL: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Chicago, IL: the local picture

25%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (22% in Cook County)

45,108

residents 85 or older (1.7% of all residents)

1.3 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Chicago)

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Cook County)

About 91,625 Chicago residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (25%; 22% in Cook County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

45,108 residents are 85 or older. Ask any caregiver who will help with transfers how they were trained.

Home health agencies serving Chicago that list physical therapy include Mhn My Home Nurses and Sunny Hill Home Health Care, Inc; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Chicago compared with Cook County and Illinois

Census figure	Chicago	Cook County	Illinois
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	25%	22%	20%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.0%	2.0%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	8.7%	7.7%	6.9%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	32%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	32%	30%
Households with no vehicle	27%	18%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$46,743	$56,774	—

Older residents in towns around Chicago

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Cicero, IL	3.9 mi	9,138	19%
Stickney, IL	4.8 mi	1,152	8.0%
Berwyn, IL	5.5 mi	7,625	14%
Oak Park, IL	6.4 mi	9,454	18%
Riverside, IL	6.8 mi	1,784	11%
Forest Park, IL	7.1 mi	2,651	20%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Mhn My Home Nurses	Chicago, IL	5.0 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(708) 801-8662
Sunny Hill Home Health Care, Inc	Oak Lawn, IL	9.2 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(708) 424-7025
All Family Health Care, Inc	Chicago, IL	11 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(773) 775-2588
Best Care Home Health, Inc.	Lincolnwood, IL	12 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(630) 645-9600
Alphonsa Home Health Care, Inc	Elmhurst, IL	14 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(630) 758-4077
Home Care Experts	Burr Ridge, IL	14 mi	5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(224) 500-2625

Emergency hospitals near Chicago

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
MT Sinai Hospital Medical Center	Chicago, IL	1.3 mi	1 of 5	(773) 542-2000
Saint Anthony Hospital	Chicago, IL	1.8 mi	2 of 5	(773) 521-1710

Straight-line miles from the center of Chicago. 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 Chicago

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,895 monthly median income of Chicago households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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 Chicago: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Chicago?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 41% of the $3,895 monthly median income of Chicago households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois'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 Chicago

More senior care near Chicago

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Chicago

More for Chicago 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 Chicago, IL