Mobility Assistance in DeFuniak Springs, FL

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in DeFuniak Springs, FL: the local picture

40%

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

143

residents 85 or older (2.2% of all residents)

1.0 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Defuniak Springs)

52%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Walton County)

About 349 DeFuniak Springs residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (40%; 17% in Walton County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving DeFuniak Springs that list physical therapy include Centerwell Home Health and Mission Home Health LLC; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

DeFuniak Springs compared with Walton County and Florida

Census figure	DeFuniak Springs	Walton County	Florida
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	40%	17%	20%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	1.4%	2.6%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	9.7%	4.6%	6.4%
Residents 65+ with a disability	52%	28%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	23%	25%
Households with no vehicle	7.3%	3.5%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$36,250	$67,531	—

Older residents in towns around DeFuniak Springs

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Freeport, FL	14 mi	820	19%
Niceville, FL	25 mi	3,016	20%
Miramar Beach, FL	26 mi	3,412	15%
Bonifay, FL	26 mi	958	39%
Geneva, AL	27 mi	1,109	40%
Crestview, FL	28 mi	3,222	29%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Centerwell Home Health	Shalimar, FL	32 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(850) 862-3240
Mission Home Health LLC	Pensacola, FL	67 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(850) 972-0311
Peoples Home Health LLC	Pensacola, FL	69 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(850) 696-0911
Stat Home Health Florida Panhandle LLC	Pensacola, FL	69 mi	4.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(850) 857-1889
Angels Care Home Health Of The Emerald Coast	Fort Walton Beach, FL	36 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work	(850) 862-5424
Ascension At Home	Lynn Haven, FL	43 mi	4 of 5	—	(850) 250-1366

Emergency hospitals near DeFuniak Springs

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
North Walton Doctors Hospital	Defuniak Springs, FL	1.0 mi	not rated	(850) 920-2065
North Okaloosa Medical Center	Crestview, FL	22 mi	3 of 5	(850) 689-8100

Straight-line miles from the center of DeFuniak Springs. 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 DeFuniak Springs

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $3,021 monthly median income of DeFuniak Springs households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

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 How to get paid to take care of a family member in Florida: SMMC LTC and the PDO.

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 DeFuniak Springs: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in DeFuniak Springs?

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $3,021 monthly median income of DeFuniak Springs households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

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 DeFuniak Springs

More senior care near DeFuniak Springs

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in DeFuniak Springs

More for DeFuniak Springs 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 DeFuniak Springs, FL