Mobility Assistance in Colby, KS: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Colby, KS: the local picture

23%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (19% in Thomas County)

208

residents 85 or older (3.9% of all residents)

0.1 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Colby)

42%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Thomas County)

About 172 Colby residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (23%; 19% in Thomas County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Colby that list physical therapy include Good Samaritan Northwest Kansas Home Health and L & C Home Health Agency Inc; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Colby compared with Thomas County and Kansas

Census figure	Colby	Thomas County	Kansas
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	23%	19%	20%
Residents 85 or older	3.9%	2.8%	2.0%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	4.4%	5.8%	5.6%
Residents 65+ with a disability	42%	34%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	55%	33%	30%
Households with no vehicle	4.5%	3.8%	5.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$37,470	$56,583	—

Older residents in towns around Colby

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Goodland, KS	36 mi	681	36%
McCook, NE	61 mi	1,518	21%
Scott City, KS	63 mi	740	15%
Burlington, CO	66 mi	531	18%
Norton, KS	69 mi	375	38%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Good Samaritan Northwest Kansas Home Health	St Francis, KS	50 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, home health aides	(785) 332-3588
L & C Home Health Agency Inc	Colby, KS	0.1 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, home health aides	(785) 465-7444
Guardian Home Care, LLC	Norton, KS	69 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(785) 622-4254

Emergency hospitals near Colby

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Citizens Medical Center	Colby, KS	0.1 mi	3 of 5	(785) 462-7511
Logan County Hospital	Oakley, KS	21 mi	not rated	(785) 672-3211

Straight-line miles from the center of Colby. 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 Colby

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $3,123 monthly median income of Colby households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Colby: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Colby?

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $3,123 monthly median income of Colby households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Colby

More senior care near Colby

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Colby

More for Colby 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 Colby, KS