Mobility Assistance in Columbia, MS

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Columbia, MS: the local picture

35%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (30% in Marion County)

229

residents 85 or older (3.5% of all residents)

1.1 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Columbia)

59%

of residents 65+ report a disability (49% in Marion County)

About 406 Columbia residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (35%; 30% in Marion County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Columbia that list physical therapy include Adoration Home Health and Forrest General Home Care Of Marion General; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Columbia compared with Marion County and Mississippi

Census figure	Columbia	Marion County	Mississippi
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	35%	30%	28%
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	1.8%	1.7%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	19%	15%	8.8%
Residents 65+ with a disability	59%	49%	41%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	27%	30%
Households with no vehicle	14%	5.5%	6.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$32,930	$41,138	—

Older residents in towns around Columbia

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
West Hattiesburg, MS	26 mi	709	33%
Hattiesburg, MS	30 mi	6,399	33%
Bogalusa, LA	33 mi	2,047	43%
Poplarville, MS	34 mi	332	14%
Franklinton, LA	34 mi	592	36%
Petal, MS	35 mi	1,713	33%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Adoration Home Health	Collins, MS	33 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(601) 765-8316
Forrest General Home Care Of Marion General	Columbia, MS	1.1 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(601) 740-2201
Mississippi Homecare	Hattiesburg, MS	26 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(601) 268-8450
Forrest General Home Care	Hattiesburg, MS	26 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(601) 288-4344
Enhabit Home Health & Hospice	Hattiesburg, MS	26 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(601) 268-0408
St Luke Home Health Services	Mccomb, MS	35 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(601) 249-4260

Emergency hospitals near Columbia

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Marion General Hospital	Columbia, MS	1.1 mi	1 of 5	(601) 736-6303
Walthall County General Hospital Cah	Tylertown, MS	19 mi	not rated	(601) 876-2122

Straight-line miles from the center of Columbia. 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 Columbia

At the Mississippi median aide wage of $11.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $994 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $2,744 monthly median income of Columbia households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Mississippi 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 Columbia: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Columbia?

At the Mississippi median aide wage of $11.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $994 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $2,744 monthly median income of Columbia households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Mississippi 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 Columbia

More senior care near Columbia

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Columbia

More for Columbia 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 Columbia, MS