Mobility Assistance in Elma, WA: Help Walking & Transfers

Local figures

Mobility Assistance in Elma, WA: the local picture

15%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (23% in Grays Harbor County)

55

residents 85 or older (1.6% of all residents)

0.5 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Elma)

42%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Grays Harbor County)

About 87 Elma residents 65 or older have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (15%; 23% in Grays Harbor County). That is the Census measure closest to needing mobility help.

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

Home health agencies serving Elma that list physical therapy include Harbors Home Health / Hospice and Assured Home Health And Hospice; therapy at home needs a doctor’s order.

Elma compared with Grays Harbor County and Washington

Census figure	Elma	Grays Harbor County	Washington
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	15%	23%	20%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	2.0%	1.8%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	5.7%	6.9%	7.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	42%	40%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	30%	26%
Households with no vehicle	4.0%	5.4%	7.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$61,375	$49,629	—

Older residents in towns around Elma

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Walking difficulty (65+)
Montesano, WA	8.3 mi	963	30%
Central Park, WA	14 mi	529	18%
Aberdeen, WA	19 mi	3,211	24%
Shelton, WA	21 mi	1,466	27%
Rochester, WA	21 mi	1,061	16%
Tumwater, WA	23 mi	4,204	22%

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

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Harbors Home Health / Hospice	Hoquiam, WA	22 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 532-5454
Assured Home Health And Hospice	Centralia, WA	29 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(360) 330-2640

Emergency hospitals near Elma

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Summit Pacific Medical Center	Elma, WA	0.5 mi	2 of 5	(360) 346-2222
Capital Medical Center	Olympia, WA	18 mi	3 of 5	(360) 956-2550

Straight-line miles from the center of Elma. 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 Elma

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $5,115 monthly median income of Elma households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Elma: common questions

How much does mobility assistance cost in Elma?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $5,115 monthly median income of Elma households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Elma

More senior care near Elma

Mobility Assistance in nearby cities

Other care in Elma

More for Elma 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 Elma, WA